Bible Dictionaries
Carbuncle

Holman Bible Dictionary

(cahr' buhn cle) A precious stone used in the priest's breastpiece (Exodus 28:17 ) and part of the king of Tyre's apparel in the Garden of Eden according to Ezekiel's ironic description (Ezekiel 28:13 ). Equation with a stone used today is difficult if not impossible. NAS and NRSV read, “emerald”; NIV, “beryl.” KJV translates a different Hebrew term, “carbuncle,” in Isaiah 54:12 . There NAS reads, “crystal”; NRSV, “jewels”; and NIV, “sparkling jewels.” In English, carbuncle is an obsolete term referring to various red jewels. See Jewelry, Jewels.