Jacinth
Summary
A precious stone of deep purple or hyacinth color, forming one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.
☩Biblical References
The jacinth (Greek hyakinthos) appears as the eleventh foundation stone of the wall of the New Jerusalem. In Revelation 9:17, the breastplates of the apocalyptic horsemen are described as 'of fire, jacinth, and brimstone,' likely referring to colors—red, purple-blue, and yellow—rather than actual stones. The jacinth is probably identical with the ligure (Hebrew leshem) of the high priest's breastplate.
☩Identification
The ancient hyacinth was probably the modern sapphire with its deep blue color, while the modern jacinth is a variety of zircon ranging from reddish-brown to yellowish. The hyacinth color described by ancient writers was a dark violet-blue, like the iris flower, diluted from the deeper purple of amethyst.
See Also
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Jacinth," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.George Morrish, "Jacinth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jacinth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jacinth," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).