Sapphire, a valuable gemstone typically found in blue, can also exhibit shades of pink, yellow, orange, or green. Belonging to the same mineral family as rubies and corundum, sapphires owe their distinct blue hue to the presence of iron and titanium. The color spectrum of blue sapphires ranges from a light sky blue to a deep royal blue.
This precious stone is associated with royalty and is thought to bring abundance, blessings, and gifts. It has been used to ward off negative energies, strengthen intuition, and bring mental clarity. Sapphires are commonly used in jewelry. Their stunning color has captivated people for centuries, and their adoration for these magnificent stones remains as strong as ever.
Key Takeaways
- Sapphires are mentioned many times in the Bible, symbolizing truth, honesty, and divine favor. They’re depicted as part of God’s throne and the Ten Commandments’ tablets.
- Besides being primarily blue, sapphires symbolize wisdom, clarity, and protection and are associated with royal and spiritual significance.
- The sapphire stone is believed to have healing capabilities, influencing mental clarity and tranquility.
Contents
What Is The Meaning Of Sapphire In The Bible?
The meaning of sapphire in the Bible is multifaceted. The sapphire stone[1] has been mentioned in the Bible several times, especially in the Old Testament, where it symbolizes truth, correctness, honesty, and holy indulgence. It is also associated with divine favor and represents devotion to God.
According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, sapphire is a precious sky-blue stone brought from Babylon, probably the lapis lazuli. The color of God’s throne is described as sapphire (Exodus 24:10; Ezek. 1:26). Sapphire is also associated with diamonds (Exodus 28:18) and emeralds (Ezekiel 28:13).
According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, sapphire is a bright blue stone that is extremely valuable (Job 28:16). It was one of the precious stones that ornamented the king of Tyre. The sapphire of the ancients was not the same as our gem of the same name, that is, the azure or indigo-blue, crystalline variety of corundum, but our lapis lazuli (ultramarine).
The precious stone sapphire appears in the Old Testament in The Exodus, Moses’ second book. In the Exodus, God fulfills His promises by miraculously and dramatically delivering the Israelites to freedom.
The Exodus recounts Moses’ leadership in leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The Israelites travel through Egypt’s desert and wilderness through Mount Sinai. God gives Moses the tablets containing the Ten Commandments there. It is understood that the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments were cut from the bright blue sapphire seen on Mount Sinai.
The pavement beneath God’s feet is described as sapphire in Exodus 24:10 of the Old Testament: “And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.”
According to Revelation 21, God announces that He has come to live with humanity forever and is making all things new. Sapphire was mentioned as a second stone used to adorn the city wall.
“And the foundations of the city wall were adorned with all precious stones: the first, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonic; the sixth, sardium; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, hyacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst” (Revelation 21:19–20).
The Bible also mentions sapphire as a precious stone used in the Israelites’ high priest’s breastplate. The high priests’ breastplate contained twelve jewels, one of which was sapphire, which stood in the second row of the breastplate.
Each jewel represented a different tribe, and the names of these tribes were engraved on the stones. “And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond,” says the Book of Exodus.
According to Scripture, the ring of King Solomon was a sapphire, as mentioned in the Song of Solomon, a ballad of love and longing. It’s a story about adoration, fulfillment, delight, and sexual desire. In the Song of Solomon, the woman yearns for her beloved, saying, among other things, “His hands are as gold rings set with beryl; his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.”
What Is The Legend Behind The Sapphire Stone?
The legend behind the sapphire stone is as captivating as the gem itself. Sapphires are among the oldest precious stones known to humanity. As a result, it is not surprising that so many legends surround this precious stone. According to an ancient Persian legend, the earth rested on a vast sapphire, and its reflection colored the heavens blue. Indeed, the name “Sapphiru” means “blue” in Latin, while the word sapphire is derived from the Greek word sappheiros.
In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus was chained to a massive sapphire rock as punishment for bestowing fire on humanity. When Hercules later freed Prometheus, a link from the chain and a piece of the stone remained on his finger. This was the first sapphire to be discovered.
In mythology, the blue sapphire is the most notable. Sapphires were thought to ward off evil in many Eastern cultures. It was also thought that if a wicked person wore a sapphire, the sapphire would not glow. Others believed that sapphires could influence spirits, so the stone was popular with witches and necromancers who used it to communicate with the dead.
The asteria, or white lines across a star sapphire, have a significant symbolic meaning. In Christian mythology, each of the three long lines represented faith, hope, and destiny and was known as the Stone of Destiny. These lines were thought to ward off evil. They were so powerful that their influence would protect the owner even after it was no longer in his possession.
Star sapphires have long been thought to bring good fortune. Sir Richard Francis Burton famously traveled with a star sapphire talisman, believing the stone would bring him good fortune. He frequently rewarded people who were polite to him with a glimpse of the stone, which was enough to get him more favors and praise because many believed that just seeing a star sapphire would bring luck.
Even today, many European royals wear sapphires. A famous example is the late Princess Diana’s sapphire ring, which Kate Middleton now wears. The sapphire, like many other stones, was thought to have the ability to cure poison, improve eyesight, and heal the body.
What Does The Sapphire Stone Symbolize?
The sapphire stone symbolizes royalty and is extremely precious. It is thought to bring abundance and gifts. Blue sapphire is said to have healing properties due to its blue rays and trace amounts of corundum.
Sapphire is the September birthstone commonly referred to as the wisdom stone. Many believe wearing blue sapphire can bring about intelligence, tranquility, mental clarity, and wellness. Even in ancient history, sapphire was regarded this way because the Ancient Greeks wore it to gain wisdom.
Blue sapphire has been used to ward off negative energies, calm the mind, strengthen intuition, and bring spiritual clarity. This stone stimulates the Third Eye Chakra as well as the Throat Chakra. It is helpful to release tension and unwanted thoughts. Blue sapphire is used to calm the mind and help the person wearing it better understand themselves.
Blue sapphire is a magical and powerful gemstone that brings love, commitment, and fidelity into relationships. This could explain why this gemstone is so prevalent in engagement rings. They represent the longevity of the lovers’ bond and attachment.
What Is The History Of The Sapphire Stone?
The history of the sapphire stone is steeped in rich symbolism and belief. For centuries, the sapphire has been regarded as a symbol of the heavens, a protector of innocence, a bestower of truth, a promoter of good health, and a keeper of chastity. It brings fulfillment, joy, prosperity, inner peace, and beauty. Some wore it to protect themselves from illness or as a form of protection while traveling.
When seeking answers from the oracle, Greeks wore sapphires. Buddhists believed it brought spiritual enlightenment, and Hindus used it during religious ceremonies. Early Christian kings valued sapphire’s protective properties and used it in ecclesiastical rings.
Sri Lanka is known as the “land of gems.” Classical violet-blue sapphires were traditionally mined in India’s Kashmir region between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Famous star sapphires from Sri Lanka include the 1404.49-carat Star of Adam, the 563.4-carat Star of India, and the 182-carat Star of Bombay.
Australia was a significant sapphire source until Madagascar deposits were discovered in the 1990s. Madagascar is now the world leader in sapphire gemstone production.
When Britain’s Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana with a 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring in 1981, sapphire became a symbol of royal love. When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he gave her this ring.
Summary
Sapphire is an extremely precious gemstone that has captivated people for centuries and has been linked to mystical powers such as wisdom, heavenly powers, truth, innocence, peace, good health, protection, and love.
The sapphire meaning in the Bible tells us how valuable it is that God’s throne and the pavement beneath God’s feet are described as sapphire. In ancient legend, the color blue represents heaven, and its brightness attracts divine favor and judgment.
If you’ve ever considered adding a sapphire to your collection, this is your sign. Wearing a sapphire is thought to suppress negative thoughts and contains natural healing properties. Blue sapphire is associated with wisdom, peace, protection, and clarity. Sapphire has also been used to ward off evil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of A Sapphire?
The spiritual meaning of a sapphire is often associated with wisdom, divine favor, and enlightenment. It is believed to bring protection, spiritual insight, and good fortune.
Is Sapphire A God Stone?
Yes, a sapphire is sometimes referred to as a “god stone” in various cultures and traditions. This term reflects its association with divine favor and spiritual truth.
What Is The Hebrew Word For Sapphire?
The Hebrew word for sapphire is “סַפִּיר” (sappir), which is believed to be the origin of the English word “sapphire.” This term is mentioned in various historical and religious texts, often with a sacred or valuable connotation.
GOOD TO KNOW.
What a beautiful stone. Love the truth from the bible.