פִּטְדָה
a gem, probably the topaz
Definition
The Hebrew word פִּטְדָה (piṭdâh) refers to a precious gemstone, most commonly identified as the topaz. In the Bible, it consistently appears in lists of valuable stones used for sacred and royal adornment. In Exodus 28:17 and 39:10, it is set into the high priest's breastpiece, symbolizing one of the tribes of Israel. In Ezekiel 28:13, it is listed among the coverings of the king of Tyre, representing immense wealth and beauty, and in Job 28:19, it is used as a metaphor for the priceless value of wisdom, which cannot be purchased with such gems.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in poetic and descriptive contexts that emphasize extreme value, beauty, and sacred significance. It appears four times: twice in the priestly instructions for the tabernacle (Exodus 28:17, 39:10), once in wisdom literature comparing it to understanding (Job 28:19), and once in a prophetic oracle against a proud ruler (Ezekiel 28:13). The pattern shows it is not a common object but a symbol of perfection, God-given craftsmanship, and unattainable worth.
Etymology
The word is of foreign derivation, likely borrowed from an ancient language like Egyptian or Sanskrit, indicating the stone was an imported luxury. There is no clear Hebrew root. The Greek Septuagint translates it as 'topazion,' and the Latin Vulgate as 'topazius,' solidifying its long-standing identification as the topaz, though the exact mineral in antiquity may differ from the modern definition.
Semantic Range
As a stone on the high priest's breastpiece (Exodus 28:17), the פִּטְדָה represents the bearing of God's people before the Lord, signifying beauty, order, and priestly mediation. In Job 28:19, it underscores that divine wisdom is a treasure far surpassing the most precious created materials. Its use in Ezekiel 28:13 highlights the original, God-given splendor of a created being before pride corrupted it. Thus, the word connects to themes of sacred beauty, the supreme value of wisdom, and the glory bestowed by God.
In the ancient Near East, gemstones like the פִּטְדָה were rare, imported luxuries that signified royal power, divine favor, and immense wealth. Their precise identification is challenging, as ancient mineral classifications differed from modern ones. The 'topaz' of the biblical world was likely a yellow gemstone, possibly what we now call chrysolite or peridot, prized for its color and clarity.
אֹדֶם (ʾōdem, H124) — A red gem, likely carnelian or ruby, also on the high priest's breastpiece. יָהֲלֹם (yāhălōm, H3095) — A hard gem, often translated as diamond or jasper, used in similar contexts of value and adornment.
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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