H5306 H5306
a precious stone, possibly turquoise, ruby, or carbuncle; appears in the high priest's breastplate and symbolic descriptions
This gemstone appears in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:18, 39:11) and in Ezekiel's symbolic descriptions of Tyre's wealth. Ancient versions disagree on the exact identification—the Greek and Vulgate suggest carbuncle or ruby (ἄνθραξ, carbunculus), while the Targum favors emerald. Modern scholars often propose turquoise. The uncertainty reflects the challenge of matching ancient trade-gemstone terminology to modern mineralogy.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A precious stone valued for ornamental and symbolic use. Translations diverge significantly: English favors "turquoise," Spanish prefers "esmeralda/carbunclo" (emerald/carbuncle), French "turquoise/émeraude," and German "Tuerkis" (turquoise). This lexical variation reflects ancient uncertainties about gemstone identification. The stone appears in high-value contexts—priestly vestments and the wealth of kingdoms—indicating rarity and beauty. 4×
AR["بُنْفُوسِيٌّ", "بِعَقِيقٍ", "زُمُرُّدٌ", "ياقوتٌ"]·ben["পদ্মরাগ", "পান্নায়-", "পুখরাজ", "মরকত"]·DE["Tuerkis", "[בנפך]", "[נפך]"]·EN["turquoise", "with-turquoise"]·FR["turquoise", "émeraude"]·heb["ב-נופך", "נופך"]·HI["-फिरोजे-में", "पन्ना", "लालड़ी"]·ID["batu-permata,", "batu-rubi", "dengan-batu-permata,", "mirah"]·IT["[בנפך]", "[נפך]", "turchese"]·jav["kaliyan-turkis", "rubi", "turkis"]·KO["녹로석과", "녹로석으로-", "석류석", "석류석과"]·PT["com-turquesa", "turquesa"]·RU["бирюза", "бирюзой", "гранат", "карбункул"]·ES["carbunclo", "con-esmeralda", "esmeralda", "turquesa"]·SW["feruzi", "kwa-zumaridi", "tukisi", "zumaridi"]·TR["firuze", "zümrüt", "zümrütle"]·urd["بَ-زمرد", "زمرد", "فیروزہ"]
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
† נֹ֫פֶךְ n.[m.] a precious stone which Tyre gained by trade Ez 27:16 (where נ׳ doubted by Berthol, queried by Toy Hpt), cf. 28:13 (symbol. of wealth and honour of king of Tyre); in high priest’s breastplate Ex 28:18; 39:11. Perhaps = ruby or carbuncle 𝔊 Joseph. ἄνθραξ, 𝔙 carbunculus, cf. Di Ex Kau Ex Sgfr Ezek Co Berthol; 𝔗 AV emerald.