HE
following description of the various gems mentioned in the Bible is
extracted from the Talmud and several Rabbinical commentators, and may
be interesting as
an evidence of the amount of knowledge of this subject
that was then current:—
1. Odem.
{Authorized Version, Sardius.)
The Hebrew word odem, like the Arabic akik, is capable of denoting the cornelian, the ruby, or any other precious stone of red hue.
Among the Hebrews and Arabs, the cornelian was considered an important
prophylactic; the former ascribed to it the virtue of preserving life
from the dangers of the plague; the latter
