Revelation 21 19

Revelation 21:19 kjv

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;

Revelation 21:19 nkjv

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

Revelation 21:19 niv

The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Revelation 21:19 esv

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Revelation 21:19 nlt

The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Revelation 21 verses

Revelation 21 19 Meaning

Revelation 21:19 details the exquisite adornment of the New Jerusalem's wall foundations. It states that these foundations are beautified with a diverse array of precious stones, specifically naming the first four: jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, and emerald. This description underscores the city's divine origin, unparalleled splendor, and inherent value, signifying a dwelling place perfectly crafted by God.

Revelation 21 19 Context

Revelation 21:19 is part of John's grand vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, culminating in the descent of the New Jerusalem. Following the eradication of evil and sorrow (Rev 21:1-8), an angel guides John to behold the Lamb's bride, the Holy City (Rev 21:9-10). The subsequent verses (Rev 21:11-27) describe this city's immense glory, perfect dimensions, precious materials, and intrinsic divine light. Specifically, verses 18-20 provide a detailed inventory of the city wall's construction, stating it is made of jasper and describing its twelve foundations. These foundations symbolize stability and perpetuity. Each foundation is said to be adorned with a specific precious stone and bears the name of one of the twelve apostles (Rev 21:14). This vision emphasizes God's new creation as a perfect, secure, and beautiful dwelling place for His redeemed people, surpassing any earthly city in its magnificence and purity.

Revelation 21 19 Word analysis

• The foundations (Greek: οἱ θεμέλιοι - hoi themelioi): Plural, indicating multiple foundational layers. Themelioi refers to a solid, stable base upon which a structure is built. In this context, it highlights the eternal stability and security of the New Jerusalem, founded on divine design. These foundations spiritually link to the twelve apostles (Rev 21:14), emphasizing their crucial role in the spiritual building of God's people and the early church.
• of the wall (Greek: τοῦ τείχους - tou teichous): Referring to the protective barrier of the city. While earthly walls serve defense, the wall of New Jerusalem, given its jasper material and precious foundations, signifies the city's inherent purity and inaccessibility to evil, rather than a need for physical defense. It marks a boundary between God's holy dwelling and anything unholy.
• were adorned (Greek: κεκοσμημένοι - kekosmēmenoi): A perfect participle, conveying a state of being beautifully arranged or decorated. The verb kosmeo (from which we get "cosmetic") implies order, beauty, and careful embellishment. This indicates that the city's beauty is not incidental but intentionally crafted by divine design, perfectly ordered and exquisitely embellished.
• with all kinds (Greek: παντὶ - panti - "with every/all"): Emphasizes completeness and the full spectrum of beauty. It implies variety and comprehensiveness in the selection of materials, not just a few rare stones.
• of precious stones (Greek: λίθῳ τιμίῳ - lithō timiō - "precious stone/stone of honor"): Highlights the immense value, rarity, and high esteem of the materials. Each stone mentioned throughout the description is highly prized and symbolizes great worth, reflecting the ultimate worth of God's final dwelling place.
• The first (Greek: ὁ πρῶτος - ho prōtos): Initiates a structured enumeration, underscoring the ordered and meticulous construction. This points to divine planning and precision in the city's architecture.
• was jasper (Greek: ἴασπις - iaspis): A highly significant stone in Revelation. In Rev 4:3, jasper describes the appearance of God on His throne, and in Rev 21:11, the New Jerusalem's radiance is compared to jasper, "clear as crystal." This often symbolizes the unapproachable glory, purity, and light of God Himself, making it a fitting first foundation, echoing the divine source of the city's light. Its translucent nature can suggest divine truth and clarity.
• the second, sapphire (Greek: σάπφειρος - sappheiros): Known for its deep blue color, symbolizing heaven, holiness, and divine presence (Exod 24:10 describes the pavement under God's feet as sapphire). This suggests the heavenly nature and pure atmosphere of the New Jerusalem. It is also mentioned on the High Priest's breastplate.
• the third, chalcedony (Greek: χαλκηδών - chalkēdōn): Often a pale blue, waxy, or milky white translucent quartz. Less specific biblical symbolism, but commonly associated with calmness and composure in ancient traditions. Its inclusion continues the theme of radiant beauty and variety.
• the fourth, emerald (Greek: σμάραγδος - smaragdos): A vibrant green gemstone. It appears on the High Priest's breastplate (Exod 28:18). Often symbolizing life, vibrancy, freshness, and the verdant beauty of creation. Its presence brings a refreshing contrast amidst the other blue and translucent stones, perhaps hinting at life and peace.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones.": This opening phrase establishes the extraordinary nature and immense value of the New Jerusalem. The term "foundations" emphasizes stability and permanence, which is key to a dwelling place promised for eternity. The phrase "adorned with all kinds of precious stones" immediately conveys unparalleled beauty, splendor, and God's abundant provision. It speaks to a divinely orchestrated aesthetic where beauty serves to reveal the glory of the Creator.
• "The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,": This systematic listing introduces the specific, unique identity of each of the twelve foundational stones. The precise order indicates intentionality and divine design, rather than arbitrary selection. Each named stone contributes to the collective symbolic meaning, hinting at specific facets of God's character, His divine attributes, or the virtues present in His heavenly city. This progression begins the full catalog of stones that underscore the city's perfection and spiritual significance. The particular stones may subtly allude to specific tribes or attributes from the Old Testament or apostles from the New Testament, grounding the future hope in established biblical patterns.

Revelation 21 19 Bonus section

• The use of 12 distinct precious stones for the foundations echoes the 12 tribes of Israel on the high priest's breastplate (Exod 28) and the 12 apostles (Rev 21:14). This fusion signifies the culmination of God's redemptive history, uniting Old and New Testament covenants in a glorious final reality.
• Ancient cultures often attributed various powers and spiritual properties to gemstones. While Revelation re-appropriates such imagery for divine truth, it serves to demonstrate the unsurpassed preciousness and divine essence of the heavenly city, in stark contrast to the pagan reliance on stones for magical purposes or idols made from common materials. The value is inherent because God made them.
• The transparency of jasper and other potential characteristics of these stones suggest light and truth emanating from the city itself, powered by God's glory rather than external sources (Rev 21:23).
• The meticulous cataloging of these gems invites contemplation on God's creativity and His personal investment in designing the future abode of His people, where beauty and perfection reign.

Revelation 21 19 Commentary

Revelation 21:19 is a glimpse into the surpassing glory of the New Jerusalem, God's eternal dwelling with redeemed humanity. The description of its foundations, meticulously crafted from the most precious and diverse gemstones, is not merely architectural detail but profound symbolism. Each stone's brilliance and intrinsic value speak to the city's incomparable beauty, purity, and divine origin. This lavish adornment signifies that everything in God's eternal realm is perfect, sacred, and imbued with divine glory. The deliberate ordering of the stones emphasizes God's detailed plan and craftsmanship. While scholars debate specific individual stone symbolism, the cumulative effect communicates absolute splendor, reflecting the radiant holiness and immeasurable worth of the One who designed it. It assures believers that their ultimate dwelling will be one of absolute security, beauty, and unadulterated divine presence, far beyond anything conceivable on earth.