Bible Dictionary
Amethyst
Amethyst is a bluish-violet variety of quartz. It was one of the stones on the high priest’s breastplate and is listed among the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.
Definition
Amethyst is a precious stone and a bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz, ranging from pale blue to dark purple-blue. It was regarded as a valuable ornamental stone and is listed among the stones used in biblical sacred imagery.
Biblical Usage
Amethyst was the third stone in the third row of the high priest’s breastplate. It is also named among the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem in Revelation.
Historical Background
The supplied material places amethyst in Persia, India, and parts of Europe. Ancient beliefs associated it with protection from drunkenness, while the Jewish name was connected by rabbinical interpretation with dreaming.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex. 28:19; 39:12), and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20). The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from a_, “privative,” and _methuo, “to get drunk.” Its Jewish name, ahlamah’, was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word halam, “to dream,” from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream. It is a pale-blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. achlamah) a subspecies of quartz of a bluish-violet color. Mention is made of this precious stone, which formed the third in the third row of the high priestly breastplate, in (Exodus 28:19; 39:12) It occurs also in (Revelation 21:20)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>am'-e-thist. See STONES, PRECIOUS.</p>