Precious Stones: Jasper
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Jasper is a precious stone mentioned several times in the Bible, often associated with beauty, splendor, and divine glory. It is one of the stones that hold significant symbolic meaning in biblical texts, particularly in the context of the high priest's breastplate and the New Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. High Priest's Breastplate: Jasper is one of the stones set in the breastplate of the high priest, as described in the Book of Exodus. The breastplate, also known as the "breastplate of judgment," contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Exodus 28:20 , it is written, "The fourth row will be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings." This inclusion signifies the importance and value of jasper among the tribes of Israel.

2. Vision of the New Jerusalem: Jasper is prominently featured in the description of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 21:11 describes the city as having "the glory of God, its radiance like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." This imagery conveys the purity, holiness, and divine presence that characterize the heavenly city. Furthermore, Revelation 21:18 states, "The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass." The use of jasper here underscores the majesty and perfection of God's eternal kingdom.

3. The One Seated on the Throne: In Revelation 4:3 , the appearance of God on His throne is likened to jasper: "And the One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne." This description emphasizes the brilliance and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence, with jasper symbolizing His glory and majesty.

Symbolism and Significance:

Jasper, in biblical symbolism, is often associated with divine attributes such as glory, beauty, and purity. Its mention in the context of the high priest's breastplate highlights its role in representing the tribes of Israel before God, signifying their preciousness and value in His sight. In the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, jasper serves as a metaphor for the splendor and holiness of God's eternal kingdom, as well as His own divine nature.

The stone's clear and radiant appearance, as described in Revelation, suggests qualities of transparency and purity, which are integral to the biblical portrayal of God's character and the heavenly realm. Jasper's inclusion in these significant biblical passages underscores its role as a symbol of divine beauty and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Revelation 4:3
And he that sat was to look on like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like to an emerald.
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Revelation 21:11,19
Having the glory of God: and her light was like to a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction.
... For these are the precious stones"sardius, jasper, smaragd, chrysolite, and the
rest,"woven into the robe of holy Aaron, [1904] even of him who bears the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

On Counter Promises.
... stones, and its walls constructed of jasper, and its battlements of crystal; that
it is to have a wall composed of many precious stones, as jasper, and sapphire ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter xi on counter promises.htm

The Open Door.
... they get their brightness from God, who sits enthroned among them, and who is to
look upon as a jasper and a sardine stone. And these precious stones are of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxv the open door.htm

It Seems to Me Also that the Fancy of Plato...
... of Isaiah in describing the city of God, "I will make thy battlements of jasper,
thy stones shall be crystal, and thy borders of precious stones;" [4745] and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxx it seems to.htm

The Promises Addressed to Jerusalem in the Prophets Refer to the ...
... to Jud??a and Jerusalem, and to be built with the precious stones of Jerusalem ... and
for thy foundation sapphire; and I will make thy battlements jasper, and thy ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the promises addressed to.htm

And If, Further, Temples are to be Compared with Temples...
... the duties of piety, will be a precious stone in ... to Jerusalem: "Behold, I will lay
thy stones with carbuncles ... And I will make thy battlements of jasper, and thy ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xix and if further.htm

High Priest
... The external part of this gorget was set with four rows of precious stones; the
first row ... and an amethyst, and the fourth, a beryl, an onyx and a jasper, set in ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Keeping the Commandments.
... Its walls are of jasper; its twelve foundations are garnished with all manner of
precious stones; its twelve gates are gates of pearl; its streets are pure gold ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/keeping the commandments.htm

Preface to the First Edition.
... Her wails are built of jasper-stone; but the City itself is of pure and shining ... And
the foundations of the City are adorned with all manner of precious stones. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/preface to the first edition.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... glass or crystal (ver.11, 18, 19, 20;) the walls of jasper-stone: the foundations
of the walls garnished with twelve manner of precious stones, having twelve ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm

Resources
What does it mean that Jesus and believers are living stones in 1 Peter 2:4-5? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus loves the little children? | GotQuestions.org

In what ways are believers partakers of the divine nature? | GotQuestions.org

Precious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Lapidary: One Who Cuts Precious Stones

Precious

Precious Stones

Precious Stones of Great Variety

Precious Stones of Many Colours

Precious Stones used for Adorning the Breastplate of Judgment

Precious Stones used for Adorning the High Priest's Ephod

Precious Stones used for Adorning the Temple

Precious Stones used for Decorating the Person

Precious Stones used for Honoring Idols

Precious Stones used for Ornamenting Royal Crowns

Precious Stones used for Setting in Seals and Rings

Precious Stones: A Part of the Treasure of Kings

Precious Stones: Agate

Precious Stones: Amethyst

Precious Stones: Art of Engraving Upon, Early Known to the Jews

Precious Stones: Art of Setting, Known to the Jews

Precious Stones: Beauty and Stability of the Church

Precious Stones: Beryl

Precious Stones: Brilliant and Glittering

Precious Stones: Brought from Ophir

Precious Stones: Brought from Sheba

Precious Stones: Called: Jewels

Precious Stones: Called: Precious Jewels

Precious Stones: Called: Stones of Fire

Precious Stones: Called: Stones to be Set

Precious Stones: Carbuncle

Precious Stones: Chalcedony

Precious Stones: Chrysolite

Precious Stones: Chrysoprasus

Precious Stones: Coral

Precious Stones: Diamond

Precious Stones: Dug out of the Earth

Precious Stones: Emerald

Precious Stones: Extensive Commerce In

Precious Stones: Given by Chief Men for the Temple

Precious Stones: Given by the Jews for the Tabernacle

Precious Stones: Glory of Heavenly Jerusalem

Precious Stones: Highly Prized by the Ancients

Precious Stones: Jacinth

Precious Stones: Jasper

Precious Stones: Often Given As Presents

Precious Stones: Onyx

Precious Stones: Pearl

Precious Stones: Preciousness of Christ

Precious Stones: Prepared by David for the Temple

Precious Stones: Ruby

Precious Stones: Saints

Precious Stones: Sapphire

Precious Stones: Sardine or Sardius

Precious Stones: Sardonyx

Precious Stones: Seductive Splendour and False Glory of the Apostasy

Precious Stones: Stability of Heavenly Jerusalem

Precious Stones: Topaz

Precious Stones: Worldly Glory of Nations

Related Terms

Jewel (12 Occurrences)

Coral (3 Occurrences)

Diamond (5 Occurrences)

Pearl (5 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Ointment (29 Occurrences)

Onyx (16 Occurrences)

Jasper (8 Occurrences)

Emerald (8 Occurrences)

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Treasure-house (6 Occurrences)

Pearls (8 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)

Almug (2 Occurrences)

Algum (3 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Finest (23 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Purple (54 Occurrences)

Glittering (12 Occurrences)

Expensive (6 Occurrences)

Michtam (12 Occurrences)

Mine (2991 Occurrences)

Malcam (6 Occurrences)

Jewels (54 Occurrences)

Bdellium (2 Occurrences)

Beryl (12 Occurrences)

Sardius (5 Occurrences)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Ophir (12 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Marble (5 Occurrences)

Amount (66 Occurrences)

Treasures (77 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Worth (36 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Gem (1 Occurrence)

Ruby (5 Occurrences)

Chalcedony (1 Occurrence)

Train (17 Occurrences)

Treasure (66 Occurrences)

Abundance (194 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Gold (429 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Desirable (49 Occurrences)

Dominion (72 Occurrences)

Silver (329 Occurrences)

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Nard (5 Occurrences)

Onycha (1 Occurrence)

Ore (5 Occurrences)

Ouches (8 Occurrences)

Lading (7 Occurrences)

Gilded (2 Occurrences)

Frequent (10 Occurrences)

Traded (16 Occurrences)

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)

Thyne (1 Occurrence)

Reclining (25 Occurrences)

Retinue (4 Occurrences)

Rubies (8 Occurrences)

Realm (23 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Dedan (10 Occurrences)

Disallowed (7 Occurrences)

Dear (120 Occurrences)

Decked (10 Occurrences)

Moons (17 Occurrences)

Preciousness (2 Occurrences)

Precious Stones: Jacinth
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