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ON THE RELIGIOUS USE OP VARIOUS STONES 283
of health and wealth; therefore its significance as a tribal gem does not differ essentially from the traditional one.
Benjamin
signifies "son of the right hand," hence this name denotes strength and
power. This meaning accords well with what is said in Jacob's blessing:
"Benjamin shall raven as a wolf; in the morning he shall devour the
prey and at night he shall divide the spoil." The banded agate
symÂbolizing this tribe would have the meaning "strength" and
"mastery"; indeed, according to other sources the agate was reputed to
bring victory to the wearer.
Dan
is the "judge" among the tribes, according to the meaning of the name.
In Jacob's blessing Dan is said to be ' ' a serpent by the way, ' ' and
' ' an adder in the path. ' ' These metaphors, which may not strike us
as commendatory of the tribe, probably indicated the craft and courage
of the tribesmen in attacking and defeating their foes, and enrichÂing
themselves with the spoils of war. The amethyst, as the tribal stone of
Dan, could thus signify both "judgment" and "craft."
To
the tribe of Gad was given the beryl, and the fact that spheres made
from this stone were believed to be best adapted for use in
crystal-gazing makes it an especially appropriate gem for the tribe of
"good fortune," this being the most probable signification of the name
' ' Gad, ' ' although in the Bible the interpretation "a troop," is
given. The beryl would therefore signify "good luck" and perhaps also
"cooperation."
The
twelfth and last tribe, Asher, has the jasper for its gem. This would
also gain an auspicious significance from its association with Asher,
which means "happy." To the other meanings assigned to jasper might be
added that of ' ' happiness. " As we have elsewhere remarked, there
seems good reason to suppose that jade was frequently designated
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