English · KJV
G5555

χρυσόλιθος

chrysólithos /khroo-sol'-ee-thos/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom χρυσός and λίθος
Meaninggold-stone, i.e. a yellow gem ("chrysolite")
KJV usagechrysolite.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chrysólithos — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word chrysólithos, represented by G5555, is defined as a "gold-stone" or chrysolite, a type of yellow gem. This term is derived from the words for gold and stone. It is a highly specific word, appearing just 1 time in a single verse within the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of G5555 is found in the description of the foundations of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. It is listed as the seventh foundation stone of the city wall Revelation 21:20. In this context, it is part of a magnificent and divinely ordered sequence of twelve precious gems that form the base of the holy city, each foundation being garnished with a different stone.

Related Words & Concepts

Several other gems are mentioned in the same passage, illustrating the splendor of the city's foundations:

  • G4557 sardónyx: This gem, the fifth foundation, is described simply as a sardonyx Revelation 21:20.
  • G969 béryllos: Appearing as the eighth foundation, this is a gem known as a beryl Revelation 21:20.
  • G5116 topázion: The ninth foundation is a topaz, a gem which the definition notes is probably the chrysolite Revelation 21:20.
  • G5556 chrysóprasos: This greenish-yellow gem, a chrysoprase, is listed as the tenth foundation Revelation 21:20.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G5555 is derived entirely from its unique placement in scripture.

  • Foundation of the Holy City: Its presence as one of the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem establishes it as part of God's ultimate and perfect creation for His people Revelation 21:20.
  • Significance of "Seventh": As the seventh G1442 foundation, it holds a position associated with divine completion and finality. This number is linked to the opening of the seventh seal Revelation 8:1, the sounding of the seventh angel Revelation 11:15, and God's rest on the seventh day Hebrews 4:4.
  • Contribution to Divine Splendor: The chrysolite contributes to a larger, ordered list of precious stones, collectively symbolizing the glory, purity, and permanence of God's dwelling place.

Summary

In summary, chrysólithos G5555 is a rare biblical term whose importance is entirely defined by its singular context. While its base definition points to a "gold-stone," its spiritual weight comes from its role as the seventh foundation of the New Jerusalem. It is a piece of a divinely ordered whole, representing the perfection and glory of God's final kingdom as described in Revelation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G4557 σαρδόνυξ from the base of σάρδιος and (the nail of a finger; hence the "onyx" stone); a "sardonyx", i.e. the gem so called:-- sa G969 βήρυλλος of uncertain derivation; a "beryl":--beryl. G5116 τοπάζιον neuter of a presumed derivative (alternately) of (a "topaz"; of uncertain origin); a gem, probably the chrysolite:--top G5556 χρυσόπρασος from χρυσός and (a leek); a greenish-yellow gem ("chrysoprase"):--chrysoprase. G1442 ἕβδομος ordinal from ἑπτά; seventh:--seventh.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Revelation — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.