Lexical Summary odem: Ruby, Sardius, Red Stone Original Word: אֹדֶם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sardius From 'adam; redness, i.e. The ruby, garnet, or some other red gem -- sardius. see HEBREW 'adam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as adom Definition a carnelian NASB Translation ruby (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֹ֫דֶם noun [feminine] carnelian (from redness; ᵐ5 σάρδιον; on formative compare LagBN 144) Exodus 28:17; Exodus 39:10 (P) Ezekiel 28:13. Topical Lexicon Overview אֹדֶם denotes a deep red gemstone, rendered “ruby” in the Berean Standard Bible. Its color evokes vivid imagery of blood, life, and costly beauty, themes that recur whenever the stone is mentioned. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Exodus 28:17 In the High Priest’s Breastpiece Exodus 28:17; 39:10 present the gemstone as the first in the upper row of the breastpiece of judgment. The breastpiece carried twelve stones—one for each tribe of Israel—over the heart of Aaron “when he goes before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29). Jewish tradition and many early Christian commentators associate the first stone with Reuben (“Behold, a son”). If this identification is correct, the ruby’s fiery hue mirrors the passionate, often impetuous character of Jacob’s firstborn (Genesis 49:3-4) and yet, when set close to the high priest’s heart, proclaims God’s redemptive intent for each tribe regardless of natural weakness. Association with the Tribe of Reuben Reuben forfeited his birthright, yet his emblem-stone remains in the first position, affirming that grace—not human merit—determines placement before God. The lesson for ministry is clear: every believer, even the stumbling, is carried over the heart of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14). Connection with Eden and the King of Tyre Ezekiel 28:13 situates the ruby among nine precious stones covering the “anointed guardian cherub.” The passage, while addressing the ruler of Tyre, reaches behind him to an Edenic, angelic prototype. The ruby thereby stands at the origin of created splendor and later at the climax of Israel’s priestly worship, showing that every realm—angelic, royal, priestly—owes its glory to the Creator. Red as Symbol of Atonement and Devotion The scarlet thread runs through Scripture—from the Passover blood (Exodus 12:13) to the cleansing of Isaiah’s sins (Isaiah 6:7) to the Lamb who “purchased for God persons from every tribe” (Revelation 5:9). As a red stone over the priest’s heart, the ruby silently testifies that intercession and atonement are grounded in shed blood, foreshadowing Christ’s sacrifice. Comparative Gemology Ancient trade routes brought rubies (or their close relatives, carnelians) from India and Arabia into the Near East. Their durability made them apt symbols of covenant permanence (cf. Isaiah 54:11-12, where crimson stones figure in Zion’s future foundation). The value attached to rubies—“far above treasures of silver and gold” (Proverbs 3:15)—heightens the portrait of God’s people as priceless in His sight. Intercanonical Echoes While אֹדֶם appears only three times in the Hebrew text, Revelation describes the glorified Christ “sitting on a throne, and the One seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian” (Revelation 4:3). The Greek λίθος σαρδίων (“carnelian”) may overlap in color and symbolism with אֹדֶם, framing red-hued stones as bookends of redemptive history—from Eden through the tabernacle to the heavenly throne. Ministry and Devotional Implications • Intercession: Like the ruby near Aaron’s heart, leaders carry people’s names before God; love must be passionate, visible, and costly. Thus אֹדֶם, though sparsely mentioned, threads together Eden, priesthood, prophecy, and eschatology, declaring that those redeemed by crimson grace are forever precious to God. Forms and Transliterations אֹ֣דֶם אֹ֤דֶם אדם ’ō·ḏem ’ōḏem OdemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 28:17 HEB: אָ֑בֶן ט֗וּר אֹ֤דֶם פִּטְדָה֙ וּבָרֶ֔קֶת NAS: [shall be] a row of ruby, topaz KJV: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, INT: of stones row of ruby topaz and emerald Exodus 39:10 Ezekiel 28:13 3 Occurrences |
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