H6357 H6357
topaz; a yellow or golden precious stone, possibly chrysolite, highly valued in antiquity
A precious gemstone, traditionally identified as topaz (possibly chrysolite or yellow/golden sapphire), highly valued in the biblical world. Exodus 28:17 and 39:10 list it as the second stone in the high priest's breastplate's first row—part of the sacred vestments representing the tribes of Israel. Job compares wisdom's value to precious stones, declaring that even 'the topaz of Cush' cannot equal it (28:19)—Cush (Ethiopia) being famous for gems. Ezekiel includes topaz among the precious stones adorning the king of Tyre in Eden (28:13). The stone's yellow or golden color and rarity made it treasured for sacred and royal ornamentation.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Topaz or chrysolite, a yellow-golden precious stone of great value. Exodus 28:17 and 39:10 place it in the high priest's breastplate as the second stone. Job 28:19 uses 'topaz of Cush' as an example of extreme preciousness, yet inferior to wisdom. Ezekiel 28:13 lists it among the gems in the Eden imagery. All contexts emphasize rarity, beauty, and value for sacred or royal use. 4×
AR["زَبَرجَدٌ", "زَبَرجَدُ", "زَبَرْجَدٌ"]·ben["পান্না", "পান্না-", "পীতদা", "পোখরাজ"]·DE["Topas", "[פטדה]", "[פטדת]"]·EN["topaz", "topaz-of-"]·FR["ouverture", "topaze", "פטדת"]·heb["פיטדה", "פיטדת"]·HI["पुखराज"]·ID["topas", "topas,", "topaz"]·IT["[פטדה]", "topaz-of", "topazio"]·jav["krisopras", "topas", "topas-saking", "topaz"]·KO["감람석", "감람석과", "황옥으로-"]·PT["o-topázio-da", "topázio"]·RU["топаз", "топаз-"]·ES["topacio", "topacio-de-"]·SW["topazi", "topazi-ya"]·TR["topaz", "topazı-"]·urd["زبرجد", "زبرجد-", "پکھرج"]
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
† פִּטְדָה n.f. (m. according to AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 108) topaz or chrysolite (according to 𝔊 τοπάζιον, 𝔙 topazius, etc.; prob. foreign word, cf. Skr. pîta (prob. yellow));—named with other precious stones Ez 28:13; Ex 28:17 = 39:10; cstr. פִּטְדַת־כּוּשׁ Jb 28:19.—Vid. PlinNH xxxvii. 8 (32), Houghton in SmDB, Topaz RiHWB, Edelstein.