adamant Summary and Overview

(Heb. shamir), Ezek. 3:9. The Greek word adamas means diamond. This stone is not referred to, but corundum or some kind of hard steel. It is an emblem of firmness in resisting adversaries of the truth (Zech. 7:12), and of hard-heartedness against the truth (Jer. 17:1).

the translation of the Hebrew word Shamir in #Eze 3:9| and Zech 7:12 In #Jer 17:1| it is translated "diamond." In these three passages the word is the representative of some stone of excessive hardness, and is used metaphorically. It is very probable that by Shamir is intended emery, a variety of corundum, a mineral inferior, only to the diamond in hardness.

AD'AMANT . Eze. 3 : 9. This word means the unconquerable, and denotes some very hard stone. The same substance in Jer 17:1 is called diamond, which it cannot be, for the Hebrew name there used is never mentioned with precious stones. Probably it was the mineral emery, one of the hardest of rocks.

(the English mean "unconquerable".) Unusually hard stones, as the diamond, which is a corruption of the word adamant; Hebrew shamir; Greek smiris. Probably the emery stone or the uncrystallized corundum (Ezekiel 3:9). Image for firmness in resisting the adversaries of the truth of God (Zechariah 7:12). Image of hard heartedness against the truth (Jeremiah 17:1). The stylus pointed with it engraves deeper than the common iron; with such a pen is Jerusalem's sin marked. Its absence from the high priest's breast-plate was because it could not be engraven upon; or perhaps it had not been introduced at that early time. (See DIAMOND.)