Revelation 21:19

And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

And {G2532} the foundations {G2310} of the wall {G5038} of the city {G4172} were garnished with {G2885} all manner of {G3956} precious {G5093} stones {G3037}. The first {G4413} foundation {G2310} was jasper {G2393}; the second {G1208}, sapphire {G4552}; the third {G5154}, a chalcedony {G5472}; the fourth {G5067}, an emerald {G4665};

The foundations of the city wall were decorated with all kinds of precious stones — the first foundation stone was diamond, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Commentary

Context of Revelation 21:19

Revelation 21 marks a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy, describing the vision of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. This heavenly city is the eternal dwelling place of God with His redeemed people, a place where God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Verses 15-21 specifically detail the dimensions and construction of this glorious city, emphasizing its divine origin and perfection. Verse 19 begins the detailed description of the city's magnificent foundations, building upon the general statement of its wall in the preceding verses.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Splendor and Beauty: The primary message conveyed by the precious stones is the unimaginable glory, purity, and immense value of God's eternal kingdom. The city is not merely functional but breathtakingly beautiful, reflecting the majesty of its Creator.
  • Security and Stability: Foundations are essential for any structure, signifying strength, permanence, and unwavering stability. The twelve foundations, adorned with gems, assure believers of the eternal security and unshakeable nature of God's promised dwelling.
  • Symbolism of Precious Stones: Each stone mentioned (jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald) carries symbolic weight. Historically, precious stones were associated with royalty, divine presence, and the breastplate of the high priest in ancient Israel, which bore twelve stones representing the twelve tribes. While the exact correlation to the tribes or apostles isn't explicit here, the imagery evokes a sense of God's covenant faithfulness and the inclusion of all His people.
  • God's Meticulous Design: The detailed description of the foundations highlights God's meticulous care and intentionality in preparing this eternal home for His saints. Even the very base of the city is adorned with unparalleled beauty and value.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "garnished" for the Greek word kekosmémenoi (κεκοσμημένοι), which means "adorned," "decorated," or "beautified." This term emphasizes the intentional and magnificent embellishment of the foundations, not merely their composition. The specific stones mentioned are transliterations of their Greek names, corresponding to known gemstones that were highly valued in the ancient world.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 21:19 offers a powerful vision of hope and assurance. It provides a tangible glimpse into the future reality of God's eternal kingdom, a place of perfect beauty and unwavering stability. This vision encourages us to:

  • Live with Eternal Perspective: Understanding the glorious future that awaits us can help us navigate the challenges and fleeting nature of this present world. Our ultimate citizenship is in this heavenly city whose builder and maker is God.
  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: The detailed description of the New Jerusalem's foundations underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. He is preparing a perfect place for His people, and His plans are secure and beautiful.
  • Appreciate Divine Beauty: The passage invites us to marvel at God's creativity and His desire to surround His people with unparalleled beauty and glory in eternity. This should inspire awe and worship.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 54:11 (9 votes)

    ¶ O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, [and] not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

  • Isaiah 54:12 (9 votes)

    And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

  • Exodus 28:17 (6 votes)

    And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first row.

  • Exodus 28:21 (6 votes)

    And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

  • Job 28:16 (3 votes)

    It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

  • Job 28:19 (3 votes)

    The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

  • Proverbs 3:15 (3 votes)

    She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.