Precious Carbuncle

by Wayne Blank

The English word "carbuncle" is derived from the Latin word carbunculus which means a little glowing coal. When speaking of a precious stone, it usually refers to almandine (shown in the illustration) which has a deep scarlet color that appears to glow when held to the light. "Carbuncle" is sometimes used to translate the Hebrew word (pronounced) baw-reh-keth which means flashing or glittering. It is found in the Scriptures as one of the precious stones of the high priest's breastplate. It was also one of the precious stones found "in Eden the garden of God."

"And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel"

Precious stones were set in the high priest's breastplate (see Aaron for an illustration of the breastplate).

Carbuncle / almandine

"And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof."
"And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their enclosings."
"And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes." (Exodus 28:15-21 KJV)

Before he corrupted himself and became Satan, Lucifer was "covered" with the precious stones of Eden, including carbuncle.

"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezekiel 28:13-15 KJV)

Fact Finder: Will there be precious stones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem?
Revelation 21:18-21; see also The City To Come and The Holy City

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