English · KJV
H3958

לֶשֶׁם

leshem /leh'-shem/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom an unused root of uncertain meaning
Meaninga gem, perhaps the jacinth
KJV usageligure.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of leshem — 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 Hebrew word leshem, represented by H3958, is a term for a specific gem, identified as a ligure or perhaps a jacinth. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning is derived from an unused root of uncertain meaning, and its biblical usage is confined to the description of a precious stone set in the priestly breastplate.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3958 is mentioned exclusively in the context of the sacred garments made for the high priest. Both occurrences specify its placement on the priestly ephod. It is listed as the first stone in the third H7992 row H2905 of the breastplate, alongside the agate H7618 and the amethyst H306 (Exodus 28:19, Exodus 39:12).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which leshem appears:

  • H2905 ṭûwr (row): This word specifies the arrangement of the gems on the breastplate. The ligure is part of the third row Exodus 28:19.
  • H7992 shᵉlîyshîy (third): This ordinal number defines the specific row where the ligure was set Exodus 39:12.
  • H7618 shᵉbûw (agate): This word names the second gem set in the same row as the ligure, described as a gem known for its sparkle Exodus 28:19.
  • H306 ʼachlâmâh (amethyst): This identifies the third gem in the row with the ligure and agate, believed to be the amethyst Exodus 39:12.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3958 is tied directly to its role as one of the stones on the high priest's breastplate.

  • Divine Order: The placement of the ligure in a specific third H7992 row H2905 underscores the meticulous detail and divine command behind the construction of the tabernacle and priestly garments Exodus 28:19.
  • Priestly Representation: As part of the ephod, the ligure, along with the other stones, was part of the high priest's attire as he ministered before the LORD. The collection of distinct gems set together in rows represented a unified whole.

Summary

In summary, H3958 leshem is a highly specific term for a gem, the ligure, with a very narrow biblical application. Its two appearances are identical, placing it on the third H7992 row H2905 of the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12). While the exact nature of the stone is uncertain, its context within a divinely mandated arrangement of precious stones highlights its role in the symbolic representation and sacred order of Israel's worship.

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 Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • לֶשֶׁם

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.

H7992 שְׁלִישִׁי ordinal from שָׁלוֹשׁ; third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-s H2905 טוּר from an unused root meaning to range in a regular manner; a row; hence, a wall; row. H7618 שְׁבוּ from an unused root (probably identical with that of שָׁבָה through the idea of subdivision into flashes or streamers (c H306 אַחְלָמָה perhaps from חָלַם (and thus dream-stone); a gem, probably the amethyst; amethyst.

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

2 verses, all in Exodus — and none of the other 38 Old 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, by grammatical form, 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.