χαλκηδών
chalcedony
Definition
Χαλκηδών (chalcedony) refers to a precious stone, specifically a variety of quartz known for its waxy luster and translucence, often found in colors like blue, white, or gray. In the Bible, it appears only in Revelation 21:19 as one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem's wall. While ancient descriptions of the stone's exact appearance vary, it was consistently valued in the ancient world for jewelry and ornamentation. The term in Revelation signifies the immense beauty, permanence, and divine craftsmanship of God's eternal city.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. It is listed among the twelve precious stones adorning the foundations of the heavenly city (Revelation 21:19). Its usage is purely descriptive within a highly symbolic vision, contributing to the imagery of transcendent splendor and divine order.
Etymology
The word χαλκηδών (chalkēdōn) is derived from the name of the ancient Greek port city Chalcedon, located in Asia Minor (modern-day Kadıköy, Turkey). The stone was likely named for this city, either because it was traded there or perhaps mined nearby. This follows a common pattern of naming minerals after their geographical origins.
Semantic Range
While the stone itself is mundane, its singular biblical use is theologically significant. In Revelation 21:19, it forms part of the symbolic architecture of the New Jerusalem, representing the unshakable foundation and glorious perfection of God's redeemed community. Understanding it as a real, valuable stone enriches the reading by grounding the apocalyptic vision in tangible, created beauty, pointing to the physical renewal of all creation.
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, chalcedony was a known and valued gemstone, used in seals, rings, and decorative objects. Its inclusion in Revelation's list would have immediately communicated worth, durability, and beauty to the original audience. The exact modern mineralogical classification may differ slightly from ancient categories, which were often based on color and locality rather than crystalline structure.
σάπφειρος (sappheiros, G4552) — a blue precious stone, likely lapis lazuli. ἴασπις (iaspis, G2393) — jasper, another quartz variety, noted for its opacity and often red or green color.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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