What is…
Sardine stone
also known as: sardius, sardius stone, sardion, sard, odem and carnelian
Greek: σάρδιον —transliteration: sardion
Hebrew: אֹדֶם —transliteration: odem
This is a gem of a blood-red color. It is our red carnelian.
The Greek word sardion appears only 2 times in Scripture.
He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. —Revelation 4:3 NKJV
The foundations of the wall of the city [New Jerusalem] were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, … the sixth sardius… —Revelation 21:19-20 excerpt
It was called “sardius” or “Sardine” because it was obtained from Sardis in Lydia.
This gem is also listed among the precious stones in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17; 39:10).
The only other reference is written by Ezekiel.
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. —Ezekiel 28:13 NKJV
More information
- What is Sardis?
- About precious stones in the Bible