Bible Word Study
σμαράγδινος
smaragdinos · made of emerald
σμαράγδινος
made of emerald
Definition
The adjective σμαράγδινος (smaragdinos) means 'made of emerald' or 'emerald-like.' It describes something composed of the precious green gemstone emerald or possessing its distinctive color. In the New Testament, this word is used exclusively in a visionary context to depict the radiant appearance of a divine throne. The term conveys both immense value and a specific, brilliant green hue associated with celestial splendor.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 4:3. It is used to describe the appearance of God's throne in John's apocalyptic vision: 'And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald (ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ).' Its usage is purely descriptive within a highly symbolic, heavenly scene.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek noun σμάραγδος (smaragdos, G4665), meaning 'emerald.' The suffix -ινος forms an adjective indicating 'made of' or 'pertaining to.' The noun itself was borrowed into Greek, likely from a Semitic source, reflecting the ancient trade in precious stones.
Semantic Range
In Revelation 4:3, the emerald-like rainbow encircling God's throne is a powerful symbol. It evokes God's covenant faithfulness (Genesis 9:13-16) and combines it with imagery of supreme, unapproachable majesty and eternal life. The brilliant green of the emerald contributes to a portrait of a God who is both transcendent in glory and faithfully present with His creation. Understanding this specific descriptor enriches the reader's appreciation of the symbolic color and material used to reveal God's character in apocalyptic literature. In the ancient world, emeralds were among the most prized and valuable gemstones, often associated with life, vitality, and royalty due to their vibrant green color. They were imported from distant regions like Egypt, making them symbols of wealth and exotic splendor. This cultural perception of extreme value and beauty directly informs its use in Revelation to describe the incomparable glory of heaven. σμάραγδος (smaragdos, G4665) — The noun 'emerald,' the gemstone itself, from which the adjective is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]