Chapter
Verse

Revelation 21:19

ESV 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,
NIV The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
NASB The foundation stones of the city wall were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
CSB The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
NLT The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
KJV 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;
NKJV The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

What does Revelation 21:19 mean?

As verse 14 points out, New Jerusalem's wall has twelve foundations on which are inscribed the names of the twelve apostles. Verse 19 describes these foundations further as adorned with every kind of jewel. The foundations, therefore, are extremely beautiful. This begins the list of jewels that adorn the twelve foundations.

The first jewel is a jasper, probably a crystalline red. This jewel is also mentioned in Exodus 28:20 as one of the twelve jewels placed on the breastplate of Israel's high priest. In Revelation 4:3 jasper is mentioned in connection with the appearance of the one John saw seated upon the throne. Revelation 21:18 informs us that the wall of New Jerusalem is constructed of jasper. Sapphire, agate, and emerald are also listed in Revelation 21:19. These jewels also adorned the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:18, 19). Sapphire is the blue of lapis lazuli. Agate is perhaps blue quartz with stripes. Emerald is green.
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