Bible Dictionary
Diamond
Diamond refers in Scripture to a very hard precious stone or cutting material, though the exact identity of the Hebrew stones is uncertain. One such stone was associated with the high priest’s breastplate.
Definition
Diamond designates a very hard and valuable precious stone, although the precise identity of the biblical stones is uncertain. One Hebrew term refers to a gem in the high priest’s breastplate; another denotes a hard, sharp material used for cutting or perforating minerals.
Biblical Usage
The breastplate stone called yahalom occupied the third place in the second row and bore the name of Naphtali. The term shamir is mentioned in connection with writing or engraving and is elsewhere rendered adamant.
Historical Background
The diamond is described as crystallized carbon, the hardest and most valuable of precious stones. Some have identified the breastplate stone with sardonyx or emerald, but the supplied material does not establish its identity.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) A precious gem (Heb. yahalom’, in allusion to its hardness), otherwise unknown, the sixth, i.e., the third in the second row, in the breastplate of the high priest, with the name of Naphtali engraven on it (Ex. 28:18; 39:11; R.V. marg., “sardonyx.”) (2.) A precious stone (Heb. shamir’, a sharp point) mentioned in Jer. 17:1. From its hardness it was used for cutting and perforating other minerals. It is rendered “adamant” (q.v.) in Ezek. 3:9, Zech. 7:12. It is the hardest and most valuable of precious stones.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. yahalom), a gem crystallized carbon, the most valued and brilliant of precious stones, remarkable for its hardness, the third precious stone in the second row on the breastplate of the high priest, (Exodus 28:18; 39:11) and mentioned by Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 28:13) among the precious stones of the king of Tyre. Some suppose yahalom to be the “emerald.” Respecting shamir, which is translated “Diamond” in (Jeremiah 17:1) see under Adamant.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>di'-a-mund. See STONES, PRECIOUS.</p>