agate Summary and Overview

(Heb. shebo), a precious stone in the breast-plate of the high priest (Ex. 28:19; 39:12), the second in the third row. This may be the agate properly so called, a semi-transparent crystallized quartz, probably brought from Sheba, whence its name. In Isa. 54:12 and Ezek. 27:16, this word is the rendering of the Hebrew cadcod, which means "ruddy," and denotes a variety of minutely crystalline silica more or less in bands of different tints. This word is from the Greek name of a stone found in the river Achates in Sicily.

a beautifully-veined semi-transparent precious stone, a variety of quartz. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands or blended in clouds. It is mentioned four times in the text of the Authorized Version, viz., in #Ex 28:19; 39:12; Isa 54:12; Eze 27:16| In the two former passages; where it is represented by the Hebrew word shebo it is spoken of as forming the second stone in the third row of the high priest's breastplate; in each of the two latter places the original word is cadced, by which, no doubt, is intended a different stone. [RUBY] Our English agate derives its name from the Achates, on the banks of which it was first found.

AG'ATE . Ex 39:12. A precious stone, variegated chalcedony, translucent or opaque. It is often banded in delicate parallel lines, waving or zigzag in their course, and of white, tendon-like, wax-like, pale and dark brown, black or sometimes bluish colors. It is sometimes clouded, and at other times presents a group of figures disposed with so much regularity as to seem like a work of art, showing trees, plants, rivers, clouds, buildings, and human beings. The name is supposed by some to be derived from the river Achates, in Sicily, where the stone was formerly found in great abundance. The agate of Isa 54:12 and Eze 27:16 (a different Hebrew word) was doubtless the ruby. The agate was the second stone in the third row of the high priest's breastplate. Ex 28:19.

Hebrew kadkod, from kadad, "to sparkle". The "windows" being of this gem (Isaiah 54:12) implies transparency. Gesenius thinks the ruby or carbuncle is meant. It was imported from Syria to Tyre (Ezekiel 27:16). Hebrew Sheba (from Sheba whence it came to Tyre), Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12, is rightly translated "agate," a semi-transparent uncrystallized quartz, mainly silica, with concentric layers of various tints; the second stone of the third row on the high priest's breast-plate. The English term is drawn from that of the Greeks, who found agate in the river Acheres, in Sicily, and hence named it.