Realia:Stones of the Choshen/0

Stones of the Choshen

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Overview

The twelve stones of the choshen are named in Shemot 28:17-20. However, since the verses provide no other descriptive information, the identity of almost every stone is heavily debated. In trying to determine which gems are referred to, scholars look for descriptions in other verses in which the stones are mentioned, explore cognate languages for linguistic clues as to the stones' identity, and turn to identifications made by both the Aramaic and Greek translations of Torah. The various translations, however, are not in total agreement, and the identity of many of the Aramaic and Greek names are disputed. Bemidbar Rabbah provides further clues, as it lists the color of many of the stones, but as this is a relatively late source, it might be less reliable. Given the many unknowns, it is not surprising that multiple possible identifications have been raised for almost every stone.

Possible Identifications

For pictures, see Olam HaMikra Shemot 28

אֹדֶם

• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28:17 and Shemot 39:10) and the stones of Gan Eden (Yechezkel 28:13).
• Etymology – The word "אֹדֶם" relates to the color "אדום", meaning red.
• Translations – All the Aramaic translations render "אֹדֶם" fairly literally, as "סמקן" or "סמוקתא", meaning reddish. The Septuagint translates it as sardius,¹ generally identified as the orange-red gemstone, carnelian.  Based on the archaeological evidence, this stone was very popular in ancient times.
• Possible Identifications – A reddish stone, likely carnelian, but perhaps red jasper.²

פִּטְדָה

• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28:17 and Shemot 39:10) and the stones of Gan Eden in Yechezkel 28:13, and also in Iyyov 28:19 where it is referred to as "פִּטְדַת כּוּשׁ", suggesting that it originated in or was imported from Egypt (Ethiopia).
• Etymology – The word פִּטְדָה might be a loan word from Sanskrit where pita means yellow, or related to the Assyrian hipindu, which means "flashing".
• Translations – The Aramaic Targumim define this as "ירקן" or "ירקתא", pointing to a green gem.
• Possible Identifications – Olivine (peridot) or yellow topaz.

בָרֶקֶת

• Possible identifications – Carbuncle (perhaps a red garnet), a green stone such as emerald or malakhite, or a banded stone such as agate or onyx.
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28 and 39) and the stones of Gan Eden (Yechezkel 28).
• Additional data – 

נֹפֶךְ

• Possible identifications – Emerald (or another green stone), ruby or red garnet, turquoise.
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28 and 39) and the stones of Gan Eden (Yechezkel 28), and in Yechezkel 27:16, in the context of the merchandise of Aram.
• Additional data – 

סַפִּיר

• Possible identifications – Sapphire, lapis lazuli
• Biblical verses – Besides those verses relating to the Choshen or the stones of Eden, many other verses mention the סַפִּיר as well, including: Yeshayahu 54:11, Yechezkel 1:26, 10:1, Iyyov 28:6,16, Shir HaShirim 5:14 and Eikhah 4:7.  Most helpful for identification purposes, however, is Shemot 24, which describes the vision of Hashem seen by the elders: "וְתַחַת רַגְלָיו כְּמַעֲשֵׂה לִבְנַת הַסַּפִּיר וּכְעֶצֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם לָטֹהַר", suggesting that the סַפִּיר might be either white or the color of a pure blue sky.³ 
• Additional data – 

יָהֲלֹם

• Possible identifications – Green quartz or jasper, clear crystal quartz, moonstone
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28 and 39) and the stones of Gan Eden (Yechezkel 28).
• Additional data – 

לֶשֶׁם

• Possible identifications – Amber, jacinth, turquoise
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen.
• Additional data –

שְׁבוֹ

• Possible identifications – Agate, turquoise, jet
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen.
• Additional data – 

אַחְלָמָה

• Possible identifications – Sardonyx, amethyst, red jasper
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen.
• Additional data – 

תַּרְשִׁישׁ

• Possible identifications – Yellow-gold topaz, amber, aquamarine,
• Biblical verses – 
• Additional data – 

שֹׁהַם

• Possible identifications – Beryl (emerald or aquamarine), clear crystal quartz, sardonyx, onyx, carnelian
• Biblical verses – The gem is mentioned with regards to the Choshen (Shemot 28:20, 39:13), the stones of Eden (Yechezkel 28) and the Efod, where it is named as the stones upon which were inscribed the names of all the tribes  (Shemot 28:9).⁴ Bereshit 2:12 shares that אֶרֶץ הַחֲוִילָה contained both "שֹׁהַם" and "בְּדֹלַח" and Iyyov 28 writes that wisdom cannot be valued with either it or the סַפִּיר.
• Additional data – 

יָשְׁפֵה

• Possible identifications – Jasper, pearl, opal
• Biblical verses – The stone is mentioned only in the context of the Choshen (Shemot 28 and 39) and the stones of Gan Eden (Yechezkel 28).
• Additional data – 

¹ This is Josephus' translation in his work, Anti

² See, for example, G. F. Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, (New York, 1913), who suggests that in Ancient Egypt this was the more common stone.  R. Bachya and Abarbanel understand אודם to be a ruby, also red in color, but based on the archaeological evidence, it is doubtful whether rubies were known in the time of Tanakh.  [See R"Y Yankelovitz, "זיהוי אבני החושן על פי תרגום השבעים והתרגומים הארמיים", in חצי גבורים-פליטת סופרים, vol. 10 (2017): 478-541.]

³ In Yechezkel's "vision of the chariot" he similarly describes Hashem's throne as "כְּמַרְאֵה אֶבֶן סַפִּיר" (Yechezkel 1:26, 10:1).

⁴ See also Shemot 25:7, 35:9, 27 amd Divrei HaYamim I 29:2 which all speak of gathering the stone among materials to be used for the Mishkan / Mikdash.