The Meaning of Revelation 21:19 Explained

Revelation 21:19

KJV: And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

YLT: and the foundations of the wall of the city with every precious stone have been adorned; the first foundation jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Darby: the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

ASV: The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the foundations  of the wall  of the city  [were] garnished with  all manner of  precious  stones.  The first  foundation  [was] jasper;  the second,  sapphire;  the third,  a chalcedony;  the fourth,  an emerald; 

What does Revelation 21:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 21:9-27 - "the Holy City"
The "new Jerusalem" is the redeemed Church united with her Lord in the act of governing the whole world. A city is obviously the seat of imperial rule. In that blessed condition the saints will rule the earth as the powers of darkness rule it now. We shall enjoy the fellowship of the good and great of every age. In a literal sense we shall be fellow-citizens with the saints. All ages and dispensations will blend there. Angels at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes and twelve Apostles engraved in imperishable characters to indicate the blending of the dispensations; the differing stones, representing variety of character and function but all blending in the light of the Lamb on the throne.
The happy throngs pour through the gates with never-ending rapture. Those gates, facing every quarter, stand always open; but none desire to go forth, except commissioned on some errand by the King. All the glory and honor of the world are gathered within those walls, because Jesus will be king over every department of human life. There will be room for all beauty, art, and culture in the city of eternal light and love. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 21

1  A new heaven and a new earth
10  The heavenly Jerusalem, with a full description thereof
23  She needs no sun, the glory of God being her light
24  The kings of the earth bring their riches unto her

Greek Commentary for Revelation 21:19

Were adorned [κεκοσμημενοι]
Perfect passive participle of κοσμεω — kosmeō as in Revelation 21:2, but without the copula ησαν — ēsan (were), followed by instrumental case λιτωι — lithōi (stone). [source]
With all manner of precious stones [παντι λιτωι τιμιωι]
“With every precious stone.” The list of the twelve stones in Revelation 21:19, Revelation 21:20 has no necessary mystical meaning. “The writer is simply trying to convey the impression of a radiant and superb structure” (Moffatt). The twelve gems do correspond closely (only eight in common) with the twelve stones on the high priest‘s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20; Exodus 39:10.; Ezekiel 28:13; Isaiah 54:11.). Charles identifies them with the signs of zodiac in reverse order, a needless performance here. See the stones in Revelation 4:3. These foundation stones are visible. For jasper (ιασπις — iaspis) see Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:18; Isaiah 54:12; sapphire (σαππειρος — sappheiros) see Exodus 24:10;. Isaiah 54:11 (possibly the λαπις λαζυλι — lapis lazuli of Turkestan); chalcedony (χαλκηδων — chalkēdōn) we have no other reference in N.T. or lxx (described by Pliny, H.N. XXXIII.21), possibly a green silicate of copper from near Chalcedon; emerald (σμαραγδος — smaragdos) here only in N.T., see Revelation 4:3 σμαραγδινος — smaragdinos and like it a green stone. [source]
All manner of precious stones []
Compare Isaiah href="/desk/?q=isa+12:1-6&sr=1">Isaiah 12:1-6; 1 Chronicles 29:2. [source]
Sapphire [σάπφειρος]
Compare Isaiah 54:11; Ezekiel 1:26. Probably lapis lazuli. Our sapphire is supposed to be represented by the jacinth in Revelation 21:20. Pliny describes the σάπφειρος as opaque and sprinkled with specks of gold, and states that it came from Media (i.e. Persia and Bokhara) whence the supply is brought to this day. King (“Precious Stones and Gems,” cited by Lee), says: “Before the true precious stones were introduced from India, the lapis lazuli held the highest place in the estimation of the primitive nations of Asia and Greece; in fact it was almost the only stone known to them having beauty of color to recommend it.” [source]
Chalcedony [χαλκηδών]
From Chalcedon, where the stone was found in the neighboring copper mines. It was probably an inferior species of emerald, as crystal of carbonate of copper, which is still popularly called “the copper emerald.” Pliny describes it as small and brittle, changing its color when moved about, like the green feathers in the necks of peacocks and pigeons. [source]
Emerald []
See on Revelation 4:3. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 21:19

Revelation 4:3 Jasper stone []
The last of the twelve stones in the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13), and the first of the twelve enumerated in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19). Also the stone employed in the superstructure of the wall of the Heavenly City (Revelation 21:18). The stone itself was of different colors, the best being purple. According to Revelation 21:11, it represents a crystalline brightness. [source]
Revelation 17:4 In purple and scarlet [πορπυρουν και κοκκινον]
Accusative retained after this passive verb of clothing, as so often. Πορπυρους — Porphurous is old adjective for purple (from πορπυρα — porphura), in N.T. only here and John 19:2, John 19:5. See preceding verse for κοκκινος — kokkinos Perfect passive participle of χρυσοω — chrusoō old verb, to gild, to adorn with gold, here alone in N.T.With gold and precious stone and pearls (χρυσιωι και λιτωι τιμιωι και μαργαριταις — chrusiōi kai lithōi timiōi kai margaritais). Instrumental case. Χρυσιωι — Chrusiōi is cognate with the participle. Λιτωι τιμιωι — Lithōi timiōi is collective (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:19). There is a ζευγμα — zeugma also with μαργαριταις — margaritais (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:21), for which word see Matthew 7:6. Probably John is thinking of the finery of the temple prostitutes in Asia Minor.Full of abominations Agreeing with ποτηριον — potērion “cup” (neuter singular accusative). Some MSS. read γεμων — gemōn (nominative masculine like εχων — echōn in Revelation 17:3, quite irregular). For βδελυγματων — bdelugmatōn (genitive after γεμον — gemon) see Matthew 24:15; (Mark 13:14), common in the lxx for idol worship and its defilements (from βδελυσσω — bdelussō to render foul), both ceremonial and moral. See Jeremiah 15:7.Even the unclean things of her fornication (και τα ακαταρτα της πορνειας αυτης — kai ta akatharta tēs porneias autēs). Either the accusative after γεμον — gemon as in Revelation 17:3 (and full of the unclean things of her fornication) or the object of εχουσα — echousa like ποτηριον — potērion f0). [source]
Revelation 17:4 With gold and precious stone and pearls [χρυσιωι και λιτωι τιμιωι και μαργαριταις]
Instrumental case. Χρυσιωι — Chrusiōi is cognate with the participle. Λιτωι τιμιωι — Lithōi timiōi is collective (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:19). There is a ζευγμα — zeugma also with μαργαριταις — margaritais (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:21), for which word see Matthew 7:6. Probably John is thinking of the finery of the temple prostitutes in Asia Minor. [source]
Revelation 21:2 Coming down out of heaven from God [καταβαινουσαν εκ του ουρανου απο του τεου]
Glorious picture caught by John and repeated from Revelation 3:12 and again in Revelation 21:10. But Charles distinguishes this new city of God from that in 21:9-22:2 because there is no tree of life in this one. But one shrinks from too much manipulation of this symbolism. It is better to see the glorious picture with John and let it tell its own story.Made ready (ητοιμασμενην — hētoimasmenēn). Perfect passive participle of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō as in Revelation 19:7. The Wife of the Lamb made herself ready in her bridal attire.As a bride adorned Perfect passive participle of κοσμεω — kosmeō old verb (from κοσμος — kosmos ornament like our cosmetics), as in Revelation 21:19. Only here the figure of bride is not the people of God as in Revelation 19:7, but the abode of the people of God (the New Jerusalem).For her husband (τωι ανδρι αυτης — tōi andri autēs). Dative case of personal interest. [source]
Revelation 21:2 As a bride adorned [ως νυμπην κεκοσμημενην]
Perfect passive participle of κοσμεω — kosmeō old verb (from κοσμος — kosmos ornament like our cosmetics), as in Revelation 21:19. Only here the figure of bride is not the people of God as in Revelation 19:7, but the abode of the people of God (the New Jerusalem).For her husband (τωι ανδρι αυτης — tōi andri autēs). Dative case of personal interest. [source]
Revelation 21:19 With all manner of precious stones [παντι λιτωι τιμιωι]
“With every precious stone.” The list of the twelve stones in Revelation 21:19, Revelation 21:20 has no necessary mystical meaning. “The writer is simply trying to convey the impression of a radiant and superb structure” (Moffatt). The twelve gems do correspond closely (only eight in common) with the twelve stones on the high priest‘s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20; Exodus 39:10.; Ezekiel 28:13; Isaiah 54:11.). Charles identifies them with the signs of zodiac in reverse order, a needless performance here. See the stones in Revelation 4:3. These foundation stones are visible. For jasper (ιασπις — iaspis) see Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:18; Isaiah 54:12; sapphire (σαππειρος — sappheiros) see Exodus 24:10;. Isaiah 54:11 (possibly the λαπις λαζυλι — lapis lazuli of Turkestan); chalcedony (χαλκηδων — chalkēdōn) we have no other reference in N.T. or lxx (described by Pliny, H.N. XXXIII.21), possibly a green silicate of copper from near Chalcedon; emerald (σμαραγδος — smaragdos) here only in N.T., see Revelation 4:3 σμαραγδινος — smaragdinos and like it a green stone. [source]
Revelation 4:3 Rainbow [ιρις]
Old word, in N.T. only here and Revelation 10:1. From Ezekiel 1:28.An emerald (σμαραγδινωι — smaragdinōi). Adjective (from σμαραγδος — smaragdos Revelation 21:19), of emerald (supply λιτωι — lithōi), in associative instrumental case after ομοιος — homoios John sees no form for God (Exodus 24:10), but only the brilliant flashing gems. “In the vision the flashing lustre of the ιασπις — iaspis and the fiery red of the σαρδ — sard are relieved by the halo (ιρις — iris) of emerald which encircled the Throne” (Swete). A complete circle. [source]
Revelation 4:3 An emerald [σμαραγδινωι]
Adjective (from σμαραγδος — smaragdos Revelation 21:19), of emerald (supply λιτωι — lithōi), in associative instrumental case after ομοιος — homoios John sees no form for God (Exodus 24:10), but only the brilliant flashing gems. “In the vision the flashing lustre of the ιασπις — iaspis and the fiery red of the σαρδ — sard are relieved by the halo A complete circle. [source]
Revelation 4:3 Like a jasper stone [ομοιος ιασπιδι]
Associative-instrumental case of ιασπις — iaspis old word (Persian), used for stones of different colors, one opaque like opal, one translucent (Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:18., possibly here, only N.T. examples), one a red or yellow stone (Isaiah 54:12). Some even take it for the diamond. Certainly not our cheap modern jasper.A sardius (σαρδιωι — sardiōi). Old word, in N.T. only here and Revelation 21:20. The carnelian or other red stone, derived from Sardis (Pliny).Rainbow Old word, in N.T. only here and Revelation 10:1. From Ezekiel 1:28.An emerald (σμαραγδινωι — smaragdinōi). Adjective (from σμαραγδος — smaragdos Revelation 21:19), of emerald (supply λιτωι — lithōi), in associative instrumental case after ομοιος — homoios John sees no form for God (Exodus 24:10), but only the brilliant flashing gems. “In the vision the flashing lustre of the ιασπις — iaspis and the fiery red of the σαρδ — sard are relieved by the halo (ιρις — iris) of emerald which encircled the Throne” (Swete). A complete circle. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 21:19 mean?

the foundations of the wall of the city with every stone precious having been adorned the foundation - first jasper second sapphire third chalcedony fourth emerald
οἱ θεμέλιοι τοῦ τείχους τῆς πόλεως παντὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ κεκοσμημένοι θεμέλιος πρῶτος ἴασπις δεύτερος σάπφιρος τρίτος χαλκηδών τέταρτος σμάραγδος

θεμέλιοι  foundations 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεμέλιον 
Sense: laid down as a foundation, the foundation (of a building, wall, city).
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τείχους  wall 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: τεῖχος  
Sense: the wall around a city, town wall.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πόλεως  city 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πόλις  
Sense: a city.
παντὶ  with  every 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
λίθῳ  stone 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: λίθος  
Sense: a stone.
τιμίῳ  precious 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: τίμιος  
Sense: as of great price, precious.
κεκοσμημένοι  having  been  adorned 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κοσμέω  
Sense: to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare.
θεμέλιος  foundation 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεμέλιον 
Sense: laid down as a foundation, the foundation (of a building, wall, city).
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πρῶτος  first 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πρῶτος  
Sense: first in time or place.
ἴασπις  jasper 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἴασπις  
Sense: jasper, a precious stone of various colours (for some are purple, others blue, others green, and others the colour of brass).
δεύτερος  second 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δεύτερον 
Sense: the second, the other of two.
σάπφιρος  sapphire 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: σάπφιρος  
Sense: sapphire, a precious stone.
τρίτος  third 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τρίτον 
Sense: the third.
χαλκηδών  chalcedony 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: χαλκηδών  
Sense: chalcedony is a precious stone of misty grey colour, clouded with blue, yellow, or purple.
τέταρτος  fourth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τέταρτος  
Sense: the fourth.
σμάραγδος  emerald 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σμάραγδος  
Sense: a transparent precious stone noted especially for its light green colour.

What are the major concepts related to Revelation 21:19?

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