χρυσόπρασος

a chrysoprase

Definition

χρυσόπρασος (chrysoprasos) refers to a specific gemstone, the chrysoprase, known for its distinctive golden-green or apple-green color. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Revelation 21:20 as one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem's wall. The term denotes a precious stone, likely a variety of chalcedony, valued in the ancient world for its beauty. Its single biblical usage is symbolic, representing part of the glorious and perfected materials of God's eternal city.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. It is found in the highly symbolic vision of the New Jerusalem, specifically in the list describing the twelve precious stones that form the foundations of the city's wall (Revelation 21:20). There is no narrative or discursive usage; its function is entirely descriptive within this apocalyptic imagery.

Etymology

The word is a compound from the Greek words χρυσός (chrysos, G5557), meaning 'gold,' and πράσον (prason), meaning 'leek.' The name thus literally means 'golden-leek,' a direct reference to the gemstone's characteristic greenish-golden color. It is a straightforward descriptive term for the mineral.

Semantic Range

While the gemstone itself is mundane, its placement in Revelation 21:20 gives it profound theological significance. It contributes to the cumulative imagery of immense value, perfection, and divine glory associated with the New Jerusalem. Understanding it as a real, precious stone underscores the tangible reality and sublime beauty of God's promised restoration, enriching the reader's appreciation of the apocalyptic symbolism of foundation and eternal stability.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, chrysoprase was a known and valued gemstone, used in jewelry and engraved seals. Its perceived value and aesthetic appeal made it a fitting symbol for extreme wealth and divine splendor in John's vision. Modern readers might simply see a color name, but the original audience would have recognized it as a specific, expensive item, amplifying the passage's impact.

σμάραγδος (smaragdos, G4665) — emerald; a bright green gemstone, also listed in Revelation 21:19. ἴασπις (iaspis, G2393) — jasper; another foundational stone, noted for its clarity (Revelation 21:11).

Word Details

Scripture References