"chalcedony, the name of a gem, generally of a whitish, bluish, or gray color, susceptible of a high and beautiful polish, and of which there are several varieties, as the onyx, modern carnelian, etc., Rev. 21:19*"
Definition and meaning
chalcedony, the name of a gem, generally of a whitish, bluish, or gray color, susceptible of a high and beautiful polish, and of which there are several varieties, as the onyx, modern carnelian, etc., Rev. 21:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: χαλκηδών
Historical context
Domitian required people across the empire to address him as Dominus et Deus — Lord and God. Christians who refused to burn incense before the emperor's image faced economic exclusion and imprisonment. The book was written in apocalyptic imagery that believers would recognize but Roman authorities would not — a letter of resistance written to people being crushed by the most powerful empire on earth.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of chalkedon (G5472) across the King James Bible.
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;
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Common questions
Strong's G5472 (chalkedon) is a Greek word that means: chalcedony, the name of a gem, generally of a whitish, bluish, or gray color, susceptible of a high and beautiful polish, and of which there are several varieties, as the onyx, modern carnelian, etc.,... It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word chalkedon (G5472) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5472 is chalkedon, a Greek word defined as: chalcedony, the name of a gem, generally of a whitish, bluish, or gray color, susceptible of a high and beautiful polish, and of which there are sever. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chalkedon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.