"smaragdus, the emerald, a gem of a pure green color; but under this name the ancients probably comprised all stones of a fine green color, Rev. 21:19*"
Definition and meaning
smaragdus, the emerald, a gem of a pure green color; but under this name the ancients probably comprised all stones of a fine green color, Rev. 21:19*
In the original Greek the word is written: σμάραγδος
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 smaragdos (G4665) 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 G4665 (smaragdos) is a Greek word that means: smaragdus, the emerald, a gem of a pure green color; but under this name the ancients probably comprised all stones of a fine green color, Rev. 21:19* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word smaragdos (G4665) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4665 is smaragdos, a Greek word defined as: smaragdus, the emerald, a gem of a pure green color; but under this name the ancients probably comprised all stones of a fine green color, Rev. 21:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
smaragdos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.