בָּרֶקֶת
a gem (as flashing), perhaps the emerald
Definition
בָּרֶקֶת (bâreqeth) refers to a precious gemstone, likely a flashing or sparkling stone, used in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17, 39:10) and among the treasures of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13). The exact modern equivalent is uncertain, but it is traditionally translated as 'carbuncle' (KJV) or 'emerald' (many modern versions), suggesting a deep green gem. Its primary characteristic, derived from its root meaning 'to flash forth like lightning,' is its brilliant, gleaming appearance. In all biblical occurrences, it is listed among other precious stones, emphasizing its value and beauty in sacred and royal contexts.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in descriptive lists of gemstones. It is used twice in the instructions for and description of the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17, 39:10), where it is set as one of twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. Its final appearance is in the prophetic lament over the king of Tyre, where it is included among the 'covering' of precious stones in the Garden of Eden (Ezekiel 28:13). The usage pattern shows it is a technical term for a specific, valuable gem used in objects of supreme holiness and splendor.
Etymology
The noun בָּרֶקֶת (bâreqeth) is derived from the root בָּרָק (bârâq, H1300), meaning 'to flash, to lighten, to gleam.' This root is also the source for the word for 'lightning' (בָּרָק, bârâq). The gem's name directly reflects its perceived visual property—a stone that flashes or sparkles brilliantly. The formation suggests it is a 'flasher' or 'sparkler,' highlighting its most striking physical characteristic.
Semantic Range
As one of the stones on the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17), בָּרֶקֶת represents one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing that God's people are precious and carefully borne before Him in worship. Its inclusion in the Edenic description of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13) connects human royalty and beauty to a primordial, God-given splendor that was corrupted. The stone's gleaming quality, tied to the root for 'lightning,' may subtly point to divine glory and majesty. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing that the sacred objects of Israel's worship were crafted from materials reflecting God's own brilliant beauty and worth.
In the ancient Near East, gemstones were highly valued not only for their beauty and rarity but also for their perceived symbolic and sometimes apotropaic (protective) powers. The precise identification of בָּרֶקֶת is debated because ancient gem classification was based more on color and visual effect (like its 'flashing' quality) than on modern mineralogy. A 'carbuncle' in older English translations referred to a red, almandine garnet, while many modern scholars suggest an emerald (green beryl) or another green stone. This uncertainty reminds us that the biblical focus is on the stone's God-given splendor and symbolic function, not its exact scientific identity.
אֹדֶם (ʼôdem, H124) — A red gem (likely carnelian or ruby), the first stone on the high priest's breastplate. יָהֲלֹם (yâhălôm, H3095) — A gem (likely diamond or onyx), noted for its hardness. נֹפֶךְ (nôphek, H5306) — A gem (likely turquoise or carbuncle), also in the high priest's breastplate, often associated with a green color.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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