The Meaning of Revelation 21:20 Explained

Revelation 21:20

KJV: The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

YLT: the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

Darby: the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

ASV: the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The fifth,  sardonyx;  the sixth,  sardius;  the seventh,  chrysolite;  the eighth,  beryl;  the ninth,  a topaz;  the tenth,  a chrysoprasus;  the eleventh,  a jacinth;  the twelfth,  an amethyst. 

What does Revelation 21:20 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 21:20

[]
Sardonyx ( σαρδονυχ — sardonux ), here only in N.T., white with layers of red, from sardion (red carnelian) and onyx (white); for sardius ( σαρδιον — sardion ) see Revelation 4:3 ; chrysolite ( χρυσολιτος — chrusolithos ), here only in N.T. ( Exodus 28:20 ), stone of a golden colour like our topaz or amber or a yellow beryl or golden jasper; beryl ( βηρυλλος — bērullos ), again here only in N.T. ( Exodus 28:20 ), note the difficulty of identification, much like the emerald according to Pliny; for topaz ( τοπαζιον — topazion ), here only in N.T. ( Exodus 28:17 ), a golden-greenish stolle; chrysoprase (chrusoprasos), here only in N.T. (not in lxx), in colour like a teek, translucent golden-green; jacinth ( υακιντος — huakinthos ), of the colour of the hyacinth, a violet colour (Pliny), already in Revelation 9:17 like blue smoke, like achates in lxx; amethyst ( αμετυστος — amethustos ), only here in N.T. ( Exodus 28:19 ), of a violet and purple colour, more brilliant than the υακιντος — huakinthos Swete sums up the colours thus: blue (sapphire, jacinth, amethyst), green (jasper, chalcedony, emerald, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase), red (sardonyx, sardius), yellow (chrysolite). But even so there is great variety in hue and brilliancy and in the reaction on each other. Clement of Alexandria argues that this variety illustrates the variety of gifts and graces in the twelve apostles. Possibly so. [source]
Sardonyx [σαρδόνυξ]
The most beautiful and rarest variety of onyx. Pliny defines it as originally signifying a white mark in a sard, like the human nail ( ὄνυξ ) placed upon flesh, and both of them transparent. Onyx is called from the resemblance of its white and yellow veins to the shades in the human finger-nail. The early Greeks make no distinction between the onyx and the sardonyx. [source]
Sardius []
See on Revelation 4:3. [source]
Chrysolite [χρυσόλιθος]
From χρυσός goldand λίθος stoneLit., gold-stone. Identified by some with our topaz, by others with amber. Pliny describes it as “translucent with golden luster.” [source]
Beryl [βήρυλλος]
Pliny says that it resembled the greenness of the pure sea. It has been supposed to be of the same or similar nature with the emerald. [source]
Topaz [τοπάζιον]
Compare Job 28:19. The name was derived from an island in the Red Sea where the gem was first discovered. The stone is our peridot. The Roman lapidaries distinguished the two varieties, the chrysopteron, our chrysolite, and the prasoides, our peridot. The former is much harder, and the yellow color predominates over the green. The modern topaz was entirely unknown to the ancients. [source]
Chrysoprasus []
Rev., chrysoprase. From χρυσός goldand πράσον a leek; the color being a translucent, golden green, like that of a leek. According to Pliny it was a variety of the beryl. [source]
Jacinth [ὑάκινθος]
See on Revelation 9:17. [source]
Amethyst [ἀμέθυστος]
From ἀ notand μεθύω tobe drunken in wine, the stone being supposed to avert intoxication. Pliny distinguishes it from the jacinth, in that, in the latter, the violet hue of the amethyst is diluted. The stone is the amethystine quartz, or rock-crystal, colored purple by manganese of iron. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 21:20

Revelation 9:17 Of jacinth [ὑακινθίνους]
Ὑάκινθος hyacinthis the name of a flower and also of a precious stone. The noun occurs only Revelation 21:20, and the adjective only here. According to classical mythology, the flower sprang up from the blood of Hyacinthus, a beautiful Spartan youth, who was accidentally killed during a game of quoits. It was thought by some that the letters AI, AI, the exclamation of woe, could be traced on the petals, while others discovered the letter Υ ,the initial letter of Ὑάκινθος . The story of the slaying of Hyacinthus is told by Ovid.“Lo, the bloodWhich, on the ground outpoured, had stained the sod, Is blood no more. Brighter than Tyrian dye,-DIVIDER-
Like to the lily's shape a flower appears,-DIVIDER-
Purple in hue as that is silvery white. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Nor yet does such memorial content-DIVIDER-
Phoebus Apollo at whose word it rose. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Upon its leaves he writes his own laments,-DIVIDER-
And on the flower forever stands inscribed-DIVIDER-
AI, AI”“Metamorphoses,” x., 175 sqq. As a stone, it is identified by some with the sapphire. As to color, the hyacinth of the Greeks seems to have comprehended the iris, gladiolus, and larkspur. Hence the different accounts of its color in classical writings, varying from red to black. A dull, dark blue seems to be meant here. [source]

Revelation 4:3 Sardine []
Rev., Sardius. The sixth foundation-stone of the Heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21:20. A red stone, supposed to answer to our cornelian. Pliny derives its name from Sardis where it was discovered. Others from the Persian sered, yellowish red. The exact meaning of the symbolism must remain uncertain, owing to our ignorance of the precise meaning of “jasper,” a name which seems to have covered a variety of stones now known under other classifications. Some interpreters, assuming the jasper to be sparkling white, find in it a representation of the holiness of God, and in the fiery sardius a representation of His wrath. [source]
Revelation 21:19 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]
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 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]
Revelation 4:3 A sardius [σαρδιωι]
Old word, in N.T. only here and Revelation 21:20. The carnelian or other red stone, derived from Sardis (Pliny). [source]
Revelation 9:17 Breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone [τωρακας πυρινους και υακιντινους και τειωδεις]
There is no ως — hōs (as) in the Greek, but that is the idea of these three adjectives which are only metaphors. Πυρινος — Purinos is an old adjective (from πυρ — pur fire), here only in N.T. υακιντος — Huakinthos is also an old word (from υακιντος — huakinthos hyacinth, then of a sapphire stone Revelation 21:20), of a red color bordering on black, here only in the N.T. Τειωδης — Theiōdēs is a late word (from τειον — theion brimstone), sulphurous, here only in N.T. [source]
Revelation 9:17 Having [εχοντας]
Accusative masculine plural of εχω — echō probably referring to the riders There is no ως — hōs (as) in the Greek, but that is the idea of these three adjectives which are only metaphors. Πυρινος — Purinos is an old adjective (from πυρ — pur fire), here only in N.T. υακιντος — Huakinthos is also an old word (from υακιντος — huakinthos hyacinth, then of a sapphire stone Revelation 21:20), of a red color bordering on black, here only in the N.T. Τειωδης — Theiōdēs is a late word (from τειον — theion brimstone), sulphurous, here only in N.T.As the heads of lions This of the horses, war-horses as always in the Bible except in Isaiah 28:28. These horses likewise have “fire and smoke and brimstone” (τειον — theion brimstone, is old word, in N.T. only in Rev and Luke 17:29) proceeding (εκπορευεται — ekporeuetai singular because it comes first and the subjects afterwards) out of their mouths. Both rider and horse are terrible. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 21:20 mean?

the fifth sardonyx sixth sardius seventh chrysolite eighth beryl ninth topaz tenth chrysoprase eleventh jacinth twelfth amethyst
πέμπτος σαρδόνυξ ἕκτος σάρδιον ἕβδομος χρυσόλιθος ὄγδοος βήρυλλος ἔνατος τοπάζιον δέκατος χρυσόπρασος ἑνδέκατος ὑάκινθος δωδέκατος ἀμέθυστος

πέμπτος  fifth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πέμπτος  
Sense: fifth.
σαρδόνυξ  sardonyx 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σαρδόνυξ  
Sense: a sardonyx, a precious stone marked by the red colours of the carnelian (sard) and the white of the onyx.
ἕκτος  sixth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕκτος  
Sense: the sixth.
σάρδιον  sardius 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: σάρδιον  
Sense: a sardius, a precious stone of which there are two types, the former is called a carnelian (because flesh coloured) and the latter a sard.
ἕβδομος  seventh 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕβδομος  
Sense: seventh.
χρυσόλιθος  chrysolite 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: χρυσόλιθος  
Sense: chrysolite is a precious stone of golden colour.
ὄγδοος  eighth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὄγδοος  
Sense: the eighth.
βήρυλλος  beryl 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: βήρυλλος  
Sense: beryl, a precious stone of a pale green colour.
ἔνατος  ninth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἔνατος  
Sense: ninth.
τοπάζιον  topaz 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: τοπάζιον  
Sense: topaz, a greenish yellow precious stone (our chrysolite).
δέκατος  tenth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δέκατος  
Sense: the tenth.
χρυσόπρασος  chrysoprase 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: χρυσόπρασος  
Sense: chrysoprasus is a stone of green colour, inclined to that of gold, from whence it has its name; for this is agate in the breast plate, which was Naphtali’s stone.
ἑνδέκατος  eleventh 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἑνδέκατος  
Sense: eleventh.
ὑάκινθος  jacinth 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὑάκινθος  
Sense: hyacinth, the name of a flower, also of a precious stone of the same colour, a dark blue verging on black.
δωδέκατος  twelfth 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δωδέκατος  
Sense: twelfth.
ἀμέθυστος  amethyst 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀμέθυστος  
Sense: amethyst, a precious stone of a violet and purple colour.

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