from an unused root meaning to glisten; shining; a gem, probably the garnet; emerald.
Transliteration:nôphek
Pronunciation:no'-fek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נֹפֶךְ (nôphek), Strong's `{{H5306}}`, derives from an unused root that conveys the sense of "to glisten" or "to shine." This etymological root immediately establishes the primary characteristic of the word: luminosity and reflective brilliance. As a noun, נֹפֶךְ refers to a specific type of precious gem, characterized by its inherent radiance. While its precise identification remains a subject of scholarly debate, common proposals include the garnet (known for its deep red luster) or the emerald (valued for its vibrant green hue). The Septuagint often translates נֹפֶךְ as σμάραγδος (smaragdos), which typically refers to an emerald, though ancient gem identification can be imprecise. Regardless of its exact mineralogical identity, the core meaning emphasizes a stone of significant beauty, value, and a distinct shining quality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נֹפֶךְ appears in three significant passages within the Hebrew Bible, each contributing to its contextual understanding:
1. **[[Exodus 28:18]]**: This verse describes the construction of the high priest's breastpiece (חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט, choshen mishpat), a sacred garment worn by Aaron and subsequent high priests. נֹפֶךְ is listed as the first stone in the second row of the breastpiece, alongside the sapphire (סַפִּיר, `{{H5601}}`) and the diamond/onyx (יָהֲלֹם, `{{H3095}}`). Each of the twelve stones on the breastpiece represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, with their names engraved upon them. The inclusion of נֹפֶךְ among these precious stones underscores its value and its role in symbolizing a particular tribe (traditionally Gad or Simeon, though the specific tribal assignment is not given in the text). The collective brilliance of these stones would have visually communicated the glory and sanctity associated with the high priesthood and the divine presence.
2. **[[Exodus 39:11]]**: This passage reiterates the making of the breastpiece, confirming the instructions given in Exodus 28. It serves as a verification that the divine commands regarding the sacred vestments were meticulously followed, reinforcing the importance and precise nature of the components, including נֹפֶךְ.
3. **[[Ezekiel 28:13]]**: In this highly symbolic lament concerning the "king of Tyre," נֹפֶךְ is again listed among a collection of precious stones that adorned this figure. The passage describes the king's initial state of perfection and glory, having been "in Eden, the garden of God," and "every precious stone was your covering." The list of gems in Ezekiel 28:13 shares many similarities with those on the high priest's breastpiece, suggesting a motif of pristine beauty, divine favor, and perhaps an original priestly or kingly status associated with the figure. Here, נֹפֶךְ contributes to the imagery of unparalleled splendor and inherent value, indicative of a state of perfection before a fall.
Across these contexts, נֹפֶךְ consistently appears in descriptions of sacred or divinely ordained splendor, emphasizing its beauty, rarity, and symbolic significance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of נֹפֶךְ is enriched by its connections to several related words and concepts:
* **Other Precious Stones**: The most direct relation is to the other gems listed alongside נֹפֶךְ in the biblical texts. In Exodus 28 and 39, these include אֹדֶם (ruby/sardius, `{{H124}}`), פִּטְדָה (topaz, `{{H6356}}`), בָּרֶקֶת (carbuncle/emerald, `{{H1304}}`), סַפִּיר (sapphire, `{{H5601}}`), יָהֲלֹם (diamond/onyx, `{{H3095}}`), לֶשֶׁם (jacinth/ligure, `{{H3958}}`), שְׁבוֹ (agate, `{{H7618}}`), אַחְלָמָה (amethyst, `{{H305}}`), תַּרְשִׁישׁ (beryl/chrysolite, `{{H8658}}`), שֹׁהַם (onyx, `{{H7718}}`), and יָשְׁפֵה (jasper, `{{H3471}}`). The collective presence of these stones, each with its unique color and luster, forms a dazzling array that speaks to divine majesty and human representation.
* **Luminosity and Glory**: The root meaning of "glisten" connects נֹפֶךְ to the broader biblical themes of light, radiance, and divine glory. Precious stones often serve as metaphors for God's brilliance (e.g., [[Ezekiel 1:26-28]], [[Revelation 21:11]]). The shining quality of נֹפֶךְ contributes to this imagery.
* **Priestly Garments**: The אֵפוֹד (ephod, `{{H646}}`), and specifically the חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט (breastpiece of judgment, `{{H2833}}`), are central to the context of נֹפֶךְ in Exodus. These garments were not merely decorative but were imbued with profound symbolic and functional significance, representing Israel's identity and God's covenant presence.
* **Edenic Perfection**: The mention of נֹפֶךְ in [[Ezekiel 28:13]] within the context of the Garden of Eden links it to themes of original creation, pristine beauty, and unblemished perfection before sin.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of נֹפֶךְ in the biblical narrative carries several layers of theological significance:
* **Divine Presence and Glory**: As a component of the high priest's breastpiece, נֹפֶךְ contributes to the overall splendor that reflects the glory of God. The brilliance of the gems symbolizes the radiant, unapproachable holiness of Yahweh, who dwells among His people. The high priest, bearing these stones, thus served as a visual representation of God's majesty and the sanctity of His dwelling place.
* **Representation of Israel**: Each stone on the breastpiece bore the name of an Israelite tribe, signifying that the high priest carried the burdens and identity of all Israel into the very presence of God. נֹפֶךְ, therefore, embodies one facet of God's chosen people, reminding Him of His covenant relationship and His remembrance of each tribe. This underscores God's meticulous care and personal knowledge of His elect.
* **Purity and Perfection**: In the context of [[Ezekiel 28:13]], the adornment of נֹפֶךְ and other precious stones symbolizes an initial state of perfection, beauty, and unblemished purity. This speaks to God's original design for creation and the intrinsic value He places on that which is pure and glorious. The subsequent fall of the "king of Tyre" highlights the contrast between this created perfection and the corruption brought by sin.
* **Value and Esteem**: The very nature of נֹפֶךְ as a precious gem inherently communicates value and high esteem. Its use in sacred artifacts and descriptions of divine settings underscores that what is most valuable in human terms is employed to represent and honor the most valuable in divine terms.
### Summary
נֹפֶךְ (nôphek, `{{H5306}}`) denotes a shining, precious gem, most likely identified as a garnet or an emerald, whose etymological root emphasizes its inherent luminosity. Its primary biblical occurrences are found in the descriptions of the high priest's breastpiece in [[Exodus 28:18]] and [[Exodus 39:11]], where it is one of the twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. It also appears in the symbolic description of the glorious, primeval state of the "king of Tyre" in [[Ezekiel 28:13]], adorned with a panoply of precious stones. Theologically, נֹפֶךְ contributes to the overarching themes of divine glory and presence, the representation and remembrance of Israel before God, and the concept of created purity and perfection. As a valuable and radiant component of sacred objects and descriptions of divine splendor, נֹפֶךְ stands as a tangible symbol of God's majesty, His covenant faithfulness, and the inherent worth of His creation.
TRV