ἴασπις

jasper

Definition

ἴασπις refers to a precious stone known as jasper, which in the ancient world was often a translucent or opaque variety of quartz, typically green, red, or brown. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in the Book of Revelation to describe the radiant appearance of God's throne and the glory of the New Jerusalem. In Revelation 4:3, the One seated on the throne has an appearance like jasper, symbolizing divine purity and majesty. In Revelation 21:11, 18, and 19, jasper is used to depict the brilliant, foundational glory of the holy city and its walls, emphasizing its unblemished, divine nature.

Biblical Usage

This word is used four times, all within the Book of Revelation. It appears in highly symbolic, visionary contexts describing heavenly realities: first, to illustrate the dazzling appearance of God on His throne (Revelation 4:3), and then to describe the radiant splendor of the New Jerusalem, where the city's light is like a 'jasper stone, clear as crystal' (Revelation 21:11) and jasper forms the first foundation of the city wall (Revelation 21:19). The usage consistently conveys themes of divine glory, purity, and unapproachable light.

Etymology

The word ἴασπις is a direct borrowing from the Greek ἴασπις, which itself was likely borrowed from a Semitic source (cf. Hebrew יָשְׁפֵה, yashpeh). It entered Greek as the standard term for the opaque or translucent quartz gemstone known as jasper. The meaning remained stable, referring specifically to this precious stone, without significant semantic development in biblical Greek.

Semantic Range

In Revelation, jasper is a key symbol of God's transcendent holiness and the perfected glory of the New Creation. Its association with God's throne (Revelation 4:3) and the foundational brilliance of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:11, 18-19) underscores themes of divine majesty, purity, and eternal stability. Understanding ἴασπις as a stone of radiant light enriches the reading of these passages, highlighting how the New Jerusalem is illuminated by God's own glory, not by external light (Revelation 21:23).

In the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern world, jasper was a valued precious stone, often used in jewelry, seals, and decorative inlays. Its various colors (green being common, but also red, yellow, and brown) and ability to take a high polish made it prized. The biblical description of jasper as 'clear as crystal' (Revelation 21:11) likely refers to a rare, translucent or clear variety, elevating it beyond the common opaque forms to symbolize perfect, divine purity and radiance.

σάπφειρος (sappheiros, G4552) — a blue precious stone, sapphire or lapis lazuli, also used in heavenly descriptions (e.g., Revelation 21:19). σμάραγδος (smaragdos, G4665) — a bright green precious stone, emerald, associated with the rainbow around God's throne (Revelation 4:3).

Word Details

Scripture References