carbuncle Summary and Overview

(Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13). Heb. barkath; LXX. smaragdos; Vulgate, smaragdus; Revised Version, marg., "emerald." The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to glitter," "lighten," "flash." When held up to the sun, this gem shines like a burning coal, a dark-red glowing coal, and hence is called "carbunculus", i.e., a little coal. It was one of the jewels in the first row of the high priest's breastplate. It has been conjectured by some that the garnet is meant. In Isa. 54:12 the Hebrew word is "'ekdah", used in the prophetic description of the glory and beauty of the mansions above. Next to the diamond it is the hardest and most costly of all precious stones.

This word represents two Hebrew words. The first may he a general term to denote any bright,sparkling gem, #Isa 54:12| the second, #Ex 28:17; 39:10; Eze 28:13| is supposed to be and smaragdus or emerald.

CAR'BUNCLE . This term represents two Hebrew words. The first, Ex 28:17; Ex 39:10; Eze 28:13, meaning flashing like lightning, is supposed to be either the emerald or beryl, both of which are precious stones of a green color." Thy gates of carbuncles," Isa 54:12, has reference to a stone shining like fire -- possibly a brilliant species of ruby.

(in English "a little coal," "a bright red gem"): eqedach, boreqeth, the former in Isaiah 54:12 from qadach "to burn," the latter from baraq "to flash." A brightly flashing stone. A smaragd (Septuagint) or corundum, of green glass color, transparent, and doubly refractive; the emerald (Exodus 28:17); third stone in the first row m the high priest's breast-plate (Ezekiel 28:13).