Gemstones in the Bible

DOI
  • Shimomura Michiko
    Comparative Studies of Societies and Cultures of the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 聖書の中の宝石

Description

In the Bible a number of gemstones are referred. They are most often described as symbols of rarity, beauty, preciousness, and sanctity. In the book of Exodus the Breastplate adorned with 12 gemstones is stated to be made to give the High priest dignity and honor. The design, size and colors of the Breastplate and the names of gemstones and their order of arrangement are described. However, different versions of the Bible state some different names of stones. For example, the Geneva Bible in the 16th century, the Authorized Version of 1611, and the New International Version of 1973 list ruby, sardius, and ruby as the first stone respectively. The same is true among the Japanese translations: the Bible compiled in early 20th century, the one in 1955, and the Common Bible in 1987. Regarding the names of precious stones, some ancient names are not currently used, and others designated different gems in the ancient days.<BR> Dr. G. F. Kunz and other authors have written treatises on this subject. Now, tracing the history of the translations of the Japanese Bible as well as the English Bible, gemstones on the Breastplate in the book of Exodus, and the stones of the foundations of the city wall of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation will be considered.

Journal

Details 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1390282680574007552
  • NII Article ID
    130004729830
  • DOI
    10.14915/gsj.35.0.11.0
  • Text Lang
    ja
  • Data Source
    • JaLC
    • CiNii Articles
  • Abstract License Flag
    Disallowed

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