Variety of chalcedony that the Greeks called sardium. Precious stone (Rev. 4:3) constituting the sixth foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20).
The ancients called two types of stones sardiones, which they distinguished by their color: The transparent red variety, which is also a carnelian, but for which the name sardium is reserved.
Pliny says that the Sardians were found near Sardis, whence the name came, but that the most beautiful varieties came from Babylon.
Today, the most beautiful carnelians come from India. Some come from Arabia. It is possible that the ancient Hebrews obtained them from the latter country.
In the OT, the term sardium translates the Heb. «'õdem», reddened stone; It appeared as the first stone in the first row of the breastplate (Ex. 28:17).
The king of Tire adorned himself with it (Ez. 28:13, "cornerina"). There are exegetes who believe that they are rubies, but the LXX translates «'õdem» as sardium.
Meaning of CARNELIAN OR CORNERINA
Variety of chalcedony that the Greeks called sardium. Precious stone (Rev. 4:3) constituting the sixth foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20).
