Chalcedony
“Named from Chalcedon in Bithynia”
Summary
A precious stone adorning the third foundation of the New Jerusalem, generally identified as an agate-like quartz.
☩Biblical Reference
Chalcedony occurs only in Revelation 21:19 as the precious stone adorning the third foundation of the wall of the New Jerusalem. The ancient meaning of the word is uncertain, and scholars debate whether the modern mineral called chalcedony corresponds to the ancient gem. The stone was named after Chalcedon in Bithynia, where it was reportedly obtained from copper mines.
☩Identification
According to Pliny, the ancient chalcedony resembled the turquoise and was a green stone—an inferior kind of emerald. The chalcedony of modern mineralogy is a variety of agate (amorphous quartz), generally translucent, exhibiting great variety of colors though usually white, gray, yellow, or brown. It is commonly of a waxy luster and harder than flint. In the East, chalcedony is wrought into cups, plates, and articles of taste; in Europe, into snuff-boxes, buttons, and knife-handles.
Related Verses1 mention
Revelation· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Chalcedony," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Chalcedony," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Chalcedony," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).