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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 21:19 - 21:19
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Were adorned (kekosmēmenoi). Perfect passive participle of kosmeō as in Rev 21:2, but without the copula ēsan (were), followed by instrumental case lithōi (stone).
With all manner of precious stones (panti lithōi timiōi). “With every precious stone.” The list of the twelve stones in Rev 21:19, Rev 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 (Exo 28:17-20; Exo 39:10.; Eze 28:13; Isa 54:11.). Charles identifies them with the signs of zodiac in reverse order, a needless performance here. See the stones in Rev 4:3. These foundation stones are visible. For jasper (iaspis) see Rev 4:3; Rev 21:11, Rev 21:18; Isa 54:12; sapphire (sappheiros) see Exo 24:10;. Isa 54:11 (possibly the lapis lazuli of Turkestan); chalcedony (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 (smaragdos) here only in N.T., see Rev 4:3 smaragdinos, and like it a green stone.