σάπφειρ-ος G4552
Sapphire, a precious blue stone
Revelation 21:19 describes the foundations of the New Jerusalem adorned with precious stones, the second being sapphire. In antiquity, 'sapphire' likely referred to lapis lazuli, a deep blue stone prized for its beauty. The gem contributes to the vision's overwhelming splendor, symbolizing the incomparable glory and worth of God's eternal dwelling with his people. Each stone reflects divine beauty beyond earthly comparison.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A precious blue stone (likely lapis lazuli in antiquity) adorning the second foundation of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:19. The gem's inclusion among the foundation stones emphasizes the city's surpassing beauty and the eternal glory of God's dwelling with redeemed humanity. 1×
AR["ياقوتٌ"]·ben["নীলকান্তমণি"]·DE["Saphir"]·EN["sapphire"]·FR["Saphir"]·heb["סַפִּיר"]·HI["नीलम"]·ID["safir"]·IT["sapphiros"]·jav["safir"]·KO["사파이어"]·PT["safira"]·RU["сапфир"]·ES["zafiro;"]·SW["yakuti-samawi;"]·TR["lacivert-taşı"]·urd["نیلم"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σάπφειρ-ος (proparoxytone), ἡ, lapis lazuli, of which two chief kinds, κυανῆ and χρυσῆ, are mentioned by LXX+4th c.BC+. (Cf. Hebrew sappīr, perhaps not Semitic.)