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Bible Encyclopedias
Diamond
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or The diamond is named in the Authorized Version as one of the stones in the breastplate of the high priest (; ). But as these stones were engraved, it is by no means likely that the original word (yahalom) really denotes the diamond; and it is generally understood that the onyx is intended. The diamond again occurs in the Authorized Version of;;; and in these places the word (shamir) is different from the above, and its signification, 'a sharp point,' countenances this interpretation, the diamond being for its hardness used in perforating and cutting other minerals. Indeed, this use of the shamir is distinctly alluded to in , where the stylus pointed with it is distinguished from one of iron (comp. Plin. Hist. Nat. xxxvii. 15). The two other passages also favor this view by using it figuratively to express the hardness and obduracy of the Israelites. Our Authorized Version has 'diamond' in , and 'adamant' in the other texts: but in the original the word is the same in all.
Public Domain.
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Diamond'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/kbe/d/diamond.html.
