כַּדְכֹּד
a sparkling gem, probably the ruby
Definition
כַּדְכֹּד (kadkôd) refers to a precious, sparkling gemstone, likely a ruby or red agate, known for its fiery brilliance. In Isaiah 54:12, it is used poetically as one of the radiant gemstones that will adorn the foundations of the New Jerusalem, symbolizing divine glory and permanence. In Ezekiel 27:16, it appears in a list of luxury goods traded by Tyre, indicating its high value in the ancient Near Eastern marketplace. The term consistently denotes a rare and beautiful mineral prized for its visual splendor.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only twice in the Old Testament, both in prophetic books. In Isaiah 54:12, it is used in a visionary, eschatological context describing the restoration and glorious future of Zion. In Ezekiel 27:16, it appears in a mercantile inventory detailing the wealth of Tyre, highlighting its role as a commodity of trade and prestige. Both uses emphasize extreme value and beauty, though one is theological and the other economic.
Etymology
Derived from the root כַּד (kad, H3537), which refers to a jar or pitcher, but here it draws from an associated sense of 'striking' or 'kindling,' like striking fire from metal. This connection evokes the sparkle or flash of light produced by a hard gemstone when struck or polished. Cognates in other Semitic languages also point to meanings related to burning or glowing, reinforcing the gem's association with radiant light.
Semantic Range
In Isaiah 54:12, כַּדְכֹּד contributes to a rich tapestry of imagery depicting God's covenantal faithfulness and the glorious future he promises to his people. The gemstone symbolizes the unshakable, beautiful foundation of God's redeemed city, reflecting his holiness and splendor. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting how physical beauty in creation points to divine perfection and the ultimate restoration of all things.
In the ancient Near East, gemstones like כַּדְכֹּד were symbols of wealth, power, and divine favor, often used in royal jewelry and religious objects. Their rarity and difficulty in mining made them luxury items traded across empires. While modern readers might see a gem as merely decorative, ancients viewed such stones as imbued with significance, representing status, beauty, and sometimes protective or mystical properties.
אֹדֶם (ʼodem, H124) — a red gem, likely carnelian or ruby, used in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17). יָהֲלֹם (yahalom, H3095) — a hard gem, possibly diamond or onyx, also in the breastplate (Exodus 28:18).
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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