Precious Stones
Jewels and precious stones are a scriptural image that is not very far removed from our present-day experience. As a whole in the Bible they symbolize beauty, value, and permanence, just as they do in our imagination today. The first mention in the Bible of precious stones is in the description of the high priest’s breastplate in Exodus 28:17–21. The types of stones are not of any particular importance, but together they represent the enduring value and preciousness of the twelve tribes of Israel in God’s eyes.
In the ancient world, jewels acted as a bank account. Jewelry, accessible only to royalty or very wealthy individuals, was a visual reminder of a person’s status and authority. It was also a common spoil of war, so the owner of valuable gemstones was known to be powerful in battle (2 Sam. 1:10). For these reasons precious stones became symbols for wealth and power.
Jewels were primarily used for adornment. The beloved in Song of Solomon is resplendent with jewels (1:10–11). Brides wore jewels as part of their wedding attire (Isa. 49:18; 61:10; Jer. 2:32). And, of course, royal crowns were set with gems.
Jewels and precious stones were associated with wealth in the ancient world, just as they are today.
Character Jewels
Of more value, however, is adorning oneself with metaphorical jewels of wisdom and gentleness. Proverbs 1:9 asserts that “discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head and a golden chain around your neck.” Furthermore, “wisdom is better than jewels. Nothing you desire can equal it” (Prov. 8:11). And Peter reminds us that “beauty doesn’t come from hairstyles, gold jewelry, or clothes. Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious” (1 Pet. 3:3–4). A wife with these qualities is more precious than jewels (Prov. 31:10). The earthly value placed on jewels pales in comparison with the value believers should place on inner character.
Kingdom Jewels
Precious stones were used to metaphorically portray the value of God’s kingdom. In the parable of the treasure hidden in a field, a man was willing to sell all he had to buy a field that contained a treasure—the jewels were a better investment than the rest of his wealth combined (Matt. 13:44). In the adjoining parable, a merchant sold everything he had for one valuable pearl (Matt. 13:45–46). These parables use jewels and precious stones as symbols to show that the kingdom of heaven and those destined for it are more valuable than anything else found on earth.
The high priest’s breastplate and the descriptions of heaven contain precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
God is portrayed in numerous places in Scripture as a king with jewels that display his incomparable power and wealth. Zechariah portrays the chosen people as “jewels in a crown” that “sparkle in his land” (9:16). In Revelation 21 we read that the heavenly city is constructed of gold and precious jewels, built on a foundation of precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The high priest’s breastplate was a miniature representation of this ultimate reality. The gates to the city are huge single pearls, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The resplendence and beauty of the precious stones in heaven are symbols representing the infinite power and worthiness of God, the King above all kings.
Key Verse
The foundations of the city wall were beautifully decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was gray quartz, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth red quartz, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth green quartz, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The 12 gates were 12 pearls. Each gate was made of one pearl. The street of the city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. (Rev. 21:19–21)