The Greek word sárdios, represented by G4556, is a noun referring to the gem so called:--sardius. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Its entire scriptural identity is tied to its single mention as a precious stone in the foundations of the New Jerusalem.
The sole biblical occurrence of G4556 is in the description of the foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem. It is listed as the sixth of twelve precious stones that adorn the city's foundation. The verse specifies its place in this divine structure: "the sixth, sardius" Revelation 21:20.
Several related words appear alongside sárdios in its only context, defining its position and surrounding elements:
- G1623 héktos (sixth): This ordinal number directly modifies sardius in its only appearance. It is also used to mark other significant events, such as the opening of the "sixth seal" Revelation 6:12 and the actions of the "sixth angel" Revelation 16:12.
- G4557 sardónyx (a "sardonyx", i.e. the gem so called): This gem is mentioned as the fifth foundation stone, immediately preceding sardius in the sequence Revelation 21:20.
- G5555 chrysólithos (gold-stone, i.e. a yellow gem ("chrysolite")): This is identified as the seventh foundation stone, immediately following sardius in the list Revelation 21:20.
The theological weight of G4556 is derived entirely from its specific placement in scripture.
- Foundation of the Holy City: The primary significance of sardius is its role as a component of the foundation of the New Jerusalem's wall, a structure described in John's apocalyptic vision Revelation 21:20.
- Divinely Ordered Sequence: It is explicitly placed as the sixth G1623 stone, part of a specific and symbolic list of twelve gems that constitute the foundation.
- Context of Revelation's Judgments: The ordinal "sixth" G1623, associated with sardius, is used elsewhere in Revelation to denote pivotal moments, including the opening of the sixth seal which brought a great earthquake Revelation 6:12 and the pouring out of the vial by the sixth angel Revelation 16:12.
In summary, G4556 sárdios is a term with a highly specific and singular meaning in scripture. It is not a broadly used word but is instead exclusively identified as the sardius gem. Its importance is derived entirely from its placement as the sixth foundation stone in the vision of the New Jerusalem, linking it to divine order and the foundational structure of God's holy city.
TRV