DIAMONDS
1. Diamonds
a) Even though diamonds were likely not in the High Priest's breastplate (see our section on rock crystals), this did not preclude the use of this precious gemstone for other Bible purposes. Diamonds could have been used to adorn a newly created Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:13). Though quite rare, diamonds are not mentioned in the Bible as one of the many precious minerals God will use to create the twelve foundations needed for the New Jerusalem (see Revelation 21:19 - 21).
b) God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, uses diamonds and their well known hardness as an analogy to show how entrenched were the sins committed by the Kingdom of Judah. He states that, "The sin of Judah is engraved with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond (Hebrew shamiyr); it is carved upon the tablet of their heart and upon the horns of your altars . . ." (Jeremiah 17:1).
c) The Hebrew word, from which we get the English word for diamonds in the Bible, denotes something that can prick (like a thorn or thorn bush) or something that is sharp (Strong's and BDB lexicon).
d) Diamonds are the hardest mineral known to man, possessing a Mohs hardness scale rating of ten. Engagement rings made of this rare gemstone have been popular from at least the 15th century. According to a 2013 USGS minerals yearbook report, world natural diamond production stood at 130 million carats. The biggest producers of such stones (in decreasing order) were Russia, Botswana, Congo, Australia and Canada, which together generated 76% of the world's supply.
a) Even though diamonds were likely not in the High Priest's breastplate (see our section on rock crystals), this did not preclude the use of this precious gemstone for other Bible purposes. Diamonds could have been used to adorn a newly created Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:13). Though quite rare, diamonds are not mentioned in the Bible as one of the many precious minerals God will use to create the twelve foundations needed for the New Jerusalem (see Revelation 21:19 - 21).
b) God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, uses diamonds and their well known hardness as an analogy to show how entrenched were the sins committed by the Kingdom of Judah. He states that, "The sin of Judah is engraved with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond (Hebrew shamiyr); it is carved upon the tablet of their heart and upon the horns of your altars . . ." (Jeremiah 17:1).
c) The Hebrew word, from which we get the English word for diamonds in the Bible, denotes something that can prick (like a thorn or thorn bush) or something that is sharp (Strong's and BDB lexicon).
d) Diamonds are the hardest mineral known to man, possessing a Mohs hardness scale rating of ten. Engagement rings made of this rare gemstone have been popular from at least the 15th century. According to a 2013 USGS minerals yearbook report, world natural diamond production stood at 130 million carats. The biggest producers of such stones (in decreasing order) were Russia, Botswana, Congo, Australia and Canada, which together generated 76% of the world's supply.
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