Ligure
“Possibly from a root meaning 'to taste' or 'to attract'”
Summary
A precious stone on the high priest's breastplate, the first in the third row, possibly the jacinth or tourmaline.
☩Biblical Reference
The ligure (Hebrew 'leshem') was the first stone in the third row on the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:19; 39:12), bearing the name of one of Israel's tribes. The Septuagint renders it 'ligurion,' followed by the Vulgate 'ligurius.' The Revised Version translates it 'jacinth.'
☩Identification
The identification of this stone is uncertain. The classical ligure was thought to be a species of amber, but amber is too soft for engraving. Some identify it with the jacinth (a variety of zircon, usually reddish or brown). Others suggest the red tourmaline (rubellite), which is hard enough for engraving and becomes electrically polar when heated—matching ancient descriptions of the 'lyncurium' as having unusual attractive properties. The tourmaline theory is supported by Theophrastus's description of the stone as attracting light particles of wood, iron, and brass.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ligure," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ligure," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ligure," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).