### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term σάπφειρος (sáppheiros), Strong's number `{{G4552}}`, refers to the precious stone known as "sapphire" or, in some ancient contexts, "lapis lazuli." Its etymology is explicitly stated as being of Hebrew origin, deriving from the word סַפִּיר (sappir, `{{H5601}}`). While modern gemology precisely distinguishes between sapphire (a corundum) and lapis lazuli (a metamorphic rock), the ancient world often grouped deep blue, opaque to translucent stones under a similar designation. The primary characteristic conveyed by σάπφειρος is its intense, deep blue color, often likened to the clarity and expanse of the sky. This deep blue hue is central to its symbolic significance in biblical texts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σάπφειρος (sáppheiros) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation:
* [[Revelation 21:19]]: "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire..." Here, sapphire is listed as the second of the twelve foundational stones of the New Jerusalem, signifying its inherent beauty, value, and permanence within the divinely constructed eschatological city.
Though its direct Greek occurrence is singular, its Hebrew precursor, סַפִּיר (sappir, `{{H5601}}`), appears several times in the Old Testament, providing crucial context for its symbolic weight:
* [[Exodus 24:10]]: "and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." This is a profound theological statement, associating sapphire directly with the divine presence and the very ground upon which God's throne rests. The "clearness of the sky" emphasizes its purity and vastness.
* [[Exodus 28:18]] and [[Exodus 39:11]]: Sapphire is the second stone in the high priest's breastplate, representing the tribe of Simeon. Its inclusion among the sacred jewels highlights its preciousness and its role in the priestly representation of the tribes before God.
* [[Job 28:6]], [[Job 28:16]]: Sapphire is mentioned among other precious stones as a measure of immense value, contrasting the worth of earthly treasures with the incomparable value of wisdom.
* [[Isaiah 54:11]]: "O afflicted city, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and your foundations I will lay with sapphires." Here, sapphire is used to describe the glorious, divinely rebuilt foundations of Zion, emphasizing its future beauty, stability, and divine favor.
* [[Ezekiel 1:26]]: "Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like a sapphire appearance..." and [[Ezekiel 10:1]]: "Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared something like a sapphire stone, resembling a throne." These visions of God's throne further solidify the association of sapphire with divine majesty, the heavenly realm, and the unapproachable glory of God.
* [[Lamentations 4:7]]: "Her nobles were purer than snow, whiter than milk; they were more ruddy than corals, their appearance was like sapphire." Here, sapphire is used as a standard of beauty and purity, describing the former radiant appearance of Jerusalem's nobles.
Across these contexts, sapphire consistently denotes purity, clarity, immense value, divine glory, and the stability of God's promises and dwelling.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct related word is its Hebrew etymological root, סַפִּיר (sappir, `{{H5601}}`), which carries the same core meaning and is used extensively in the Old Testament to establish the stone's symbolic significance.
Beyond its direct etymological link, σάπφειρος is conceptually related to:
* **Other Precious Stones:** In [[Revelation 21:19-20]], it is listed alongside jasper, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. This places it within a category of rare and valuable gems, each contributing to the splendor and symbolic richness of the New Jerusalem.
* **Divine Glory and Throne:** Concepts such as "throne" (θρόνος, `{{G2362}}`), "heaven" (οὐρανός, `{{G3772}}`), and "glory" (δόξα, `{{G1391}}`) are intimately connected to sapphire through its association with the divine presence in Exodus and Ezekiel.
* **Purity and Clarity:** The descriptions of sapphire as "clear as the sky itself" (Exodus 24) link it to concepts of divine purity, transcendence, and unblemished truth.
* **Foundations and Stability:** Its use as a foundation stone in Isaiah and Revelation connects it to the concepts of divine establishment, permanence, and the enduring nature of God's kingdom.
* **Wisdom and Value:** In Job 28, sapphire is a metric for the inestimable worth of divine wisdom, relating it to concepts of ultimate value and understanding.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of σάπφειρος (sáppheiros) is profound and multifaceted, primarily derived from its consistent association with the divine in the Old Testament, which informs its New Testament usage.
1. **Divine Transcendence and Purity:** The most striking theological implication is its connection to the very presence and throne of God (Exodus 24, Ezekiel 1, 10). The "pavement of sapphire" or the "throne like a sapphire appearance" suggests the unapproachable purity, vastness, and clarity of God's being. The deep blue, akin to the clear sky, evokes the infinite, transcendent nature of the Almighty, a realm of divine order and unblemished holiness. It signifies that God's dwelling is one of ultimate beauty and perfection, beyond human comprehension yet revealed in glorious manifestation.
2. **Eternal Foundations of God's Kingdom:** In [[Isaiah 54:11]] and [[Revelation 21:19]], sapphire serves as a foundational stone. This symbolizes the enduring, precious, and divinely ordained nature of God's promises to His people and the ultimate reality of His eschatological kingdom. The New Jerusalem, built upon such precious stones, speaks to the permanence, stability, and glorious beauty of God's redemptive work and the eternal dwelling of His people. It underscores that the spiritual realities of God's kingdom are built on foundations of divine truth and splendor.
3. **Inestimable Value and Wisdom:** The use of sapphire in [[Job 28:16]] to quantify the worth of wisdom elevates the stone beyond mere material value. It suggests that divine wisdom is more precious and unattainable than the most coveted earthly treasures, emphasizing its spiritual and eternal significance.
4. **Sacred Adornment and Representation:** Its inclusion in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28, 39) links sapphire to the sacred service and the representation of God's people before Him. It underscores the sanctity and preciousness of those who are called to serve and be served by God.
Collectively, the sapphire serves as a powerful symbol of divine majesty, unblemished truth, the vastness of heaven, and the unchangeable, glorious nature of God's presence and His eternal kingdom.
### Summary
The Greek word σάπφειρος (sáppheiros, `{{G4552}}`), derived from the Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappir, `{{H5601}}`), designates the deep blue precious stone, sapphire or lapis lazuli. Its singular New Testament appearance in [[Revelation 21:19]] as a foundational stone of the New Jerusalem echoes its extensive Old Testament usage. Primarily, sapphire is intimately associated with the divine presence, depicting the "pavement" or "throne" of God (Exodus 24, Ezekiel 1, 10), thereby symbolizing His transcendent purity, clarity, and majesty. It also represents the eternal stability and preciousness of God's eschatological kingdom, as seen in the foundations of Zion and the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 54, Revelation 21). Furthermore, it highlights the inestimable value of wisdom (Job 28) and serves as a descriptor of beauty and purity (Lamentations 4). Thus, σάπφειρος functions as a potent biblical symbol of divine glory, eternal truth, and the unblemished beauty of God's dwelling and His unwavering promises.
TRV