Revelation 21:19-20
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to focus on the dazzling beauty of these precious stones, but notice they are the foundations. This isn't just decoration; the very substance of the New Jerusalem's security and structure is built from these vibrant gems, revealing that God's promises and Christ's work are the solid, beautiful core of our eternal hope.
John is seeing a vision of the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God's people, which is being presented as a bride. This vision follows the judgment of the wicked and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth, emphasizing God's ultimate victory and restoration. The description of the city's foundations, adorned with precious jewels, symbolizes its strength, beauty, and the immense value of its inhabitants, grounding it in the apostles and prophets.
The description of the city's foundations sounds like a jewelry catalog, but these aren't just decorative gems. They represent something much deeper about the nature of God's eternal city.
The foundations of the New Jerusalem are made of precious stones, not as mere adornment, but as the very substance of the foundation. This signifies incredible permanence, value, and beauty.
Built to Last
Think of the strongest buildings you know – their strength comes from their foundations. These foundations are solid, precious jewels, showing that the city is built on something incredibly valuable and enduring.
Heavenly Value
These stones also speak to the immense worth of God's kingdom and His people. Just as earthly jewels are rare and prized, these foundations highlight the glorious, priceless nature of God's eternal dwelling place.
The list of stones might seem random, but the variety itself carries a profound message about the inhabitants and the nature of God's kingdom.
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The twelve foundations are made of twelve different kinds of precious stones, each with its own unique color and character. This diversity points to a beautiful harmony within the heavenly city.
Many Gifts, One City
Just as the early church was built on the foundation of apostles and prophets with diverse gifts, the New Jerusalem reflects this reality. The variety of stones suggests that God's people, with all their differences, will find unity and perfect belonging in His presence.
A Spectrum of Glory
Imagine the dazzling effect of these different colored stones forming a solid base. This blend of hues represents the rich tapestry of God's redeemed people, each unique, yet all contributing to the overwhelming beauty and glory of the eternal city.
Understand the original words
themēlios · Greek Noun
The base upon which a structure is built; in scripture, it symbolizes the foundational truths, established righteousness, or the apostolic and prophetic witness upon which the kingdom of God is established.
lithos timios · Greek Noun Phrase
Precious stones in the Bible often represent the beauty, variety, and incomparable worth of God's creation, particularly when used to adorn the sacred dwelling places of God (like the High Priest's breastpiece or the New Jerusalem).
sappheiros · Greek Noun
A precious blue stone; it frequently symbolizes the color of the heavens or the throne of God, representing holiness, divine authority, and majesty.
chalkēdōn · Greek Noun
An ancient precious stone (likely chalcedony or similar); in biblical lists of gems, it represents the richness of creation brought into the service and glory of the Creator.
smaragdos · Greek Noun
A brilliant green stone; it often evokes themes of life, freshness, and the enduring vitality of God's creation, appearing in visions of God’s throne.
sardonyx · Greek Noun
A banded mineral used as a gem; in the Old Testament, it was notably present in the high priest's breastplate, linking the New Jerusalem’s foundations to the covenantal priesthood and God's people.
sardion · Greek Noun
A reddish-orange stone; often associated with the appearance of fire or blood, symbolizing divine judgment or the intensity of God’s presence and glory.
chrysolithos · Greek Noun
A yellowish-green gem; part of the symbolic array of precious stones, representing the totality and multifaceted nature of the glory of the eternal city.
bēryllos · Greek Noun
A gemstone varying in color; it appears in biblical lists of treasures, highlighting the lavish splendor of the kingdom of God where all creation is glorified.
topazion · Greek Noun
A precious stone, likely the golden-yellow stone known in antiquity; it signifies value and the radiant light of God’s kingdom.
chrysoprasos · Greek Noun
A green stone (likely chrysoprase); signifies the abundance and beauty of the New Jerusalem, reflecting God's creative joy and the perfection of the coming age.
hyakinthos · Greek Noun
A reddish-orange or amber gem; its inclusion signifies the complete range of colors and virtues present in the foundation of the city, underscoring the fullness of God’s grace.
amethystos · Greek Noun
A violet or purple stone; traditionally associated with royalty and dignity, highlighting the status of the city as the dwelling of the King of Kings.
This passage details the precious stones on the high priest's breastplate, which were meant to represent the twelve tribes of Israel and were seen as a symbol of God's people before Him. The foundations of the New Jerusalem being made of precious stones echoes this idea of God's people being precious and foundational to His eternal kingdom.
Isaiah 54:11-12Here, God promises to rebuild Jerusalem with 'sapphires' and 'turquoises' and make its battlements of 'rubies' and 'crystals.' This ancient prophecy directly parallels the imagery in Revelation, highlighting the divine origin and inherent preciousness of God's eternal city.
Ezekiel 28:12-15This passage describes the King of Tyre as being adorned with 'every precious stone' and being 'perfect in beauty' before his fall. While a negative comparison to a worldly ruler, it uses similar precious stone imagery to convey immense value and perfection, which is ultimately realized in the perfect city of God.
Matthew 13:45-46The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price illustrates the immense value and worth of the kingdom of heaven. The precious stones in the foundations of New Jerusalem further emphasize this unparalleled value and the incredible investment Christ made to secure it.
Ephesians 2:19-22This passage describes the church as being 'built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.' The twelve foundational stones of the New Jerusalem can be seen as a glorious representation of this spiritual foundation, highlighting the interconnectedness of the apostles, prophets, and Christ in establishing God's eternal dwelling.
ellicottRevelation 21:19: "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;"
(19) And the foundations of the wall . . . —Better, The foundations of the wall of the city ( were ) adorned with every precious stone. We may compare the adornment of the harlot ( Revelation 17:4 ). Her robe was decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. The Bride, the L…
clarkeRevelation 21:19: "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;"
The foundations of the wall - Does not this mean the foundations or thresholds of the gates? The gates represented the twelve tribes, Revelation 21:12 ; and these foundations or thresholds, the twelve apostles, Revelation 21:14 . There was no entrance into the city but through th…
It's easy to focus on the dazzling beauty of these precious stones, but notice they are the foundations. This isn't just decoration; the very substance of the New Jerusalem's security and structure is built from these vibrant gems, revealing that God's promises and Christ's work are the solid, beautiful core of our eternal hope.
John is seeing a vision of the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God's people, which is being presented as a bride. This vision follows the judgment of the wicked and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth, emphasizing God's ultimate victory and restoration. The description of the city's foundations, adorned with precious jewels, symbolizes its strength, beauty, and the immense value of its inhabitants, grounding it in the apostles and prophets.
John is seeing a vision of the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God's people, which is being presented as a bride. This vision follows the judgment of the wicked and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth, emphasizing God's ultimate victory and restoration. The description of the city's foundations, adorned with precious jewels, symbolizes its strength, beauty, and the immense value of its inhabitants, grounding it in the apostles and prophets.
"The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, t…" — It's easy to focus on the dazzling beauty of these precious stones, but notice they are the foundations. This isn't just decoration; the very substance of the New Jerusalem's security and structure…
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