nelian (sardius, ruby). 2. Pitdah (topasion), topaz or peridot. 3. Bareketh (smaragdos), smaragd or emerald (carbuncle emerald). 4. Nofek (anthrax), carbuncle, probably the Indian ruby (ruby, carbuncle). 5. Sappir (sap-feiros), sapphire or lapis lazuli (sapphire). 6. Tahalom (jaspis), onyx, a kind of chalcedon (diamond, sardonyx). 7. Leshem (ligyrion), jacinth, others sapphire (jacinth, amber). 8. Shebo (achates) agate. 9. Achlama (ante-thystos), amethyst. 10. Tarshish (chryso-lithos), chrysolite, others topaz (beryl, chalcedony). 11. Shoham (beryllion), beryl (onyx, beryl). 12. Yashpeh (onychion), jasper.
It
should always be borne in mind that in many instances the equivalent of
the Biblical names of gems is uncertain in the nomenclature of modern
mineralogy, therefore there are several lists of names given for the
stones in the breastplate. There is an ancient silver breastplate
employed as an ornament for the MS. copy of the Torah, or Pentateuch,
used in an ancient synagogue, preserved in the Division of Oriental
Eeligions in the United States National Museum. According to this
exhibit the twelve stones, with the names of the twelve tribes, are as
follows: Garnet, Levi; diamond, Zebulon;
