Another
interesting illustration of the regard in which precious stones have
been held is the custom, which survives to some extent to the present
day, of making a particular gem appropriate to a certain month of the
year.
Perhaps
the first arrangement of gems into a group of twelve of which we have
any record is that in the Book of Exodus. Here in the twenty-eighth
chapter, verses 17-19, are prescribed in order twelve precious stones,
which shall be set in the breastplate of the high priest. The list is
repeated in the thirty-ninth chapter of the same book, verses 10-12. In
the context it is prescribed that the stones shall be set in four rows,
and that upon them shall be engraved the names of the children of
Israel, one for each stone. As to the particular gems which are
indicated by the Hebrew words, authorities differ; but in the
Authorized Version of the Bible they are given as follows:
Sardius, topaz, carbuncle,
Emerald, sapphire, diamond,
Ligure, agate, amethyst,
Beryl, onyx, jasper.
It
is not probable, however, that these names indicate in each case the
corresponding stones of modern usage. Thus, it is quite unlikely that
the Hebrews could have engraved a name upon the diamond even if they
could have obtained one of sufficient size. Again, the words emerald
and carbuncle are undoubtedly interchanged in the above list, and the
ancient topaz is known to have been the modern chrysolite. In the
Revised Version the word jacinth is substituted for ligure, and amber
is given as a marginal rendering for the same. There are also given
marginal renderings for others of the gems as follows: Ruby for
sardius, emerald for carbuncle, carbuncle for emerald, sardonyx for
diamond, chalcedony for beryl, and beryl for onyx. The modern
equivalents of the terms recognized by secret orders which use them in
symbolism are:
