βήρυλλος

a beryl

Definition

βήρυλλος (bēryllos) refers to a beryl, a precious gemstone known in antiquity for its hardness and variety of colors, most commonly a sea-green or aquamarine hue. In the Bible, it appears only in Revelation 21:20, where it is listed as the eighth foundation stone of the New Jerusalem's wall. The specific color or variety is not detailed in the text, but ancient sources describe beryl as a transparent or translucent stone, sometimes likened to the color of clear seawater. As a foundation stone, it symbolizes the beauty, permanence, and divine craftsmanship of God's eternal city.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 21:20, within the visionary description of the heavenly Jerusalem. It functions as a specific item in a list of twelve precious stones adorning the foundations of the city's wall, each representing one of the twelve apostles. There is no narrative or discursive usage; its role is purely descriptive within an apocalyptic symbol.

Etymology

The word βήρυλλος (bēryllos) is borrowed directly from Greek, which itself likely derived from a non-Greek source, possibly the Sanskrit 'vaidūrya'. It passed into Latin as 'beryllus' and into English as 'beryl'. The term consistently referred to the specific gemstone across ancient languages, with no significant shift in its core meaning.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a simple noun, its sole biblical occurrence in Revelation 21:20 gives it theological significance. As one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, it contributes to the imagery of the church's eternal, glorious, and unshakable foundation built upon the apostles (Ephesians 2:20). The precious stones symbolize the transcendent beauty, purity, and divine origin of God's redeemed community, highlighting that the believer's ultimate hope is a city whose builder and maker is God.

In the ancient world, beryl was a valued precious stone, prized for jewelry and engraving. The first-century understanding would have encompassed several color varieties (like aquamarine or golden beryl) under this single name. Its inclusion in lists of precious stones (like in Revelation 21) places it among the most valuable materials known to the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman world, signifying extreme worth and beauty. Modern gemology classifies beryl more precisely, but the ancient category was broader.

σμάραγδος (smaragdos, G4665) — emerald; a green precious stone, sometimes considered a specific color variety of beryl in antiquity. χρυσόλιθος (chrysolithos, G5555) — chrysolite; a golden-yellow gemstone, another foundational stone in Revelation 21:20.

Word Details

Scripture References