ROCK CRYSTALS

1. Rock Crystals

a) In the Bible, a rock crystal was likely used as the last stone in the second row of the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:18). It is also likely the third stone that adorned a newly created Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:13). The Hebrew word for this gem is yahalom, which comes from a root word which means, "to strike."

b) Strong's translates yahalom as "diamond" while the BDB Bible lexicon states it was a precious stone known for being hard. Seven out of ten Bible translations used in this series render this word as "diamond," with the NCV and NIV translations rendering it as "emerald" and the NLT calling it a "white moonstone."

c) Although diamonds seem to be the correct translation of yahalom for the priest's breastplate stone, there are other Bible authorities that call this rendering into question.

@1. "It was doubtless some hard stone; for the original Hebrew term implies striking. But it is questionable whether, in the early ages of the world, the art or cutting and engraving the diamond was understood." (People's Dictionary of the Bible).

@2. "Apparently Alexander the Great around 330 B.C. first discovered diamonds for the western world in India. This would indicate 'diamonds' are not meant in the Old Testament references" (Holman Bible Dictionary).

@3. "There is no trace of evidence that the ancients ever acquired the skill to engrave on the diamond, or even that they were acquainted with the stone. The 'diamond' here may possibly be some variety of chalcedony, or (perhaps) rock crystal" (Barnes' Notes on the Bible).

@4. "Almost all authorities are agreed that the art of cutting or engraving diamonds was unknown in the time of Moses. For this reason, it is unlikely the stone in question was a diamond."  

d) The book "Gemstones in the Breastplate" further makes the case that instead of diamonds a gem known as rock crystal (also referred to as clear Quartz crystal) was used in the breastplate. This stone, appearing clear like diamonds and sometimes used to imitate them, has a Mohs scale hardness value of seven. This would make them easier to engrave upon than a diamond.

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