Pearl
(Heb. gabish). The Hebrew word in (Job 28:18) probably means “crystal.” Pearls, however are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, (Matthew 13:45; 1 Timothy 2:9; Revelation 17:4; 21:21) and were considered by the ancients among the most precious of gems, and were highly esteemed as ornaments. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a “pearl of great price.” In (Matthew 7:6) pearls are used metaphorically for anything of value, or perhaps more especially for “wise sayings.
” (The finest specimens of the pearl are yielded by the pearl oyster (Avicula margaritifera), still found in abundance in the Persian Gulf and near the coasts of Ceylon, Java and Sumatra. The oysters grow in clusters on rocks in deep water, and the pearl is found inside the shell, and is the result of a diseased secretion caused by the introduction of foreign bodies, as sand, etc., between the mantle and the shell. They are obtained by divers trained to the business.
March or April is the time for pearl fishing. A single shell sometimes yields eight to twelve pearls. The size of a good Oriental pearl varies from that of a pea to about three times that size. A handsome necklace of pearls the size of peas is worth,000. Pearls have been valued as high as,000 or,000 apiece.—ED.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Pearl
Pearl purl. ⇒See a list of verses on PEARL in the Bible. See STONES, PRECIOUS. ⇒See the definition of pearl in the KJV Dictionary ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Pearl
There is no evidence in favour of the AV ‘pearl’ for &3) gabhish (Job 28"). The LXX merely transliterates yaSels. It means far more politly ‘orystal’ (so RV, Oxf. Heb. Lex., Sieg- ried-Stade, Dillmann, A. B. Davidson, εἰ a/.). Although this is not, and never has been, regarded as a precious stone, yet fine pieces of rock erystal, especially if large enough to be made into vases, The word oy, 734 PECULIAR which occurs in the same passage, and in Pr 3% (Keré) 8% 20% 311, La 47, should perhaps be tr# ‘pearls’ (see Dillm. on Job 28%). Both AV and J text have ‘rubies,’)/ RVm ‘or red coral or pearls’ (in La 47 ‘or corals’), Pearls (uapyaptrat) are mentioned in the NT in several places. ‘They were and are much Soe gems (1 Ti 2°, Rey 17"). They were chosen by Christ as a type of that which was most precious, to be compared with the kingdom of heaven (Mt 13"). The verb nazam in Arab., coupled with /ulu=‘ pearl,’ signifies ‘to string pearls.’ Coupled with shir=‘ poetry,’ it means ‘to arrange verses.’ Thus poetry is com- pared with sees The Arab poets and authors ring innumerable changes on the…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Pearl
gabish. Job 28:18. Literally, "ice"; "what is frozen", as in Eze 13:11; Eze 13:13; Eze 38:22 with "stones." So translated "crystal." In Eze 38:17, zekukit translated "glass" for "crystal." The orientals anciently valued the rock crystal for its beauty and pure luster. In the New Testament margaritoee mean "pearls" (Mat 13:45-46; 1Ti 2:9; Rev 17:4; Rev 18:12; Rev 18:16; Rev 21:21). In Mat 7:16, "neither cast your pearls before swine," the pearls resemble peas or acorns, their natural food; so the swine, finding them not so, turn against the giver and rend him. Saving counsels offered to the swinish sensualist only provoke his filthiness and profanity (Pro 23:9; Pro 9:8). The godly love even the sharp rebuke which heals their souls (Pro 15:31; Psa 141:5; Job 13:23; Isa 39:8, Hezekiah; the Virgin, Joh 2:4-5; Gal 2:14; 2Pe 3:16. Peter). He that is filthy must be filthy still. Pearls are accidental concretions within certain molluscs, especially the Avicula margaritifera found in the Indian ocean and Persian gulf and Pacific. Some foreign substance, introduced naturally or artificially, a…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia