יָשְׁפֵה
a gem supposed to be jasper (from the resemblance in name)
Definition
יָשְׁפֵה (yâshᵉphêh) refers to a precious gemstone, most commonly identified as jasper, which was used in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:20, 39:13) and in the symbolic adornment of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13). The identification as jasper is primarily based on the similarity of the Hebrew name to the Greek 'iaspis' and Latin 'iaspidem,' though the exact mineral in antiquity may differ from modern classifications. In all its biblical occurrences, it signifies a valuable, polished stone associated with beauty, priesthood, and royal splendor.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in descriptions of magnificent, divinely ordained adornment. It appears twice in Exodus detailing the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate, representing the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:20, 39:13). Its final use is in a prophetic taunt against the king of Tyre, listing it among the nine precious stones that covered him in the garden of God (Ezekiel 28:13). The pattern is one of supreme value and symbolic honor in a sacred or divinely granted context.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to polish,' highlighting the stone's prepared, finished quality. The name likely passed into Greek (ἴασπις, iaspis) and other languages, making 'jasper' the traditional translation. This connection emphasizes the stone's characteristic smooth, polished appearance.
Semantic Range
As a stone on the high priest's breastplate, יָשְׁפֵה represents one of the tribes of Israel bearing their names before God (Exodus 28:29), symbolizing the people's cherished and memorialized status. In Ezekiel 28:13, its inclusion among the coverings of the exalted but fallen king of Tyre illustrates the bestowed beauty and perfection of a created being before pride led to corruption. Thus, the stone connects to themes of priestly mediation, divine favor, and the peril of pride in gifted beauty.
In the ancient Near East, gemstones were prized not only for ornamentation but also for perceived symbolic and protective qualities. The precise mineralogical identity of biblical יָשְׁפֵה is uncertain, as ancient gem classification was based more on color and appearance than modern scientific composition. The 'jasper' of antiquity could refer to various opaque, colorful stones, potentially including green jasper or even nephrite jade, differing from the primarily red or brown quartz-based jasper common today.
אֹדֶם (ʾōdem, H124) — A red gem (likely carnelian or ruby), listed first on the breastplate. נֹפֶךְ (nōphek, H5306) — A gem (likely turquoise or carbuncle), also on the breastplate, distinguished by its color.
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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