Bible Dictionary
Sardine, Sardius
Sardine, or sardius, was a red precious stone, probably a variety of agate or carnelian. It occupied the first position in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate.
Definition
Sardine, or sardius, was a red precious stone, probably a superior variety of agate or carnelian. The Hebrew term is associated with redness.
Biblical Usage
The sard occupied the first place in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate.
Historical Background
Sard was valued for engraving and occurred in different shades, including a bright-red variety. It is identified with a variety of chalcedony or agate.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(red) (Heb. odem) the stone which occupied the first place in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate. (Exodus 28:27) The sard, which is probably the stone denoted by odem, is a superior variety of agate, sometimes called camelian, and has long been a favorite stone for the engraver’s art. Sardis differ in color: there is a bright-red variety, and perhaps the Hebrew odem from a root means “to be red,” points to this kind.