the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Mineralogy
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or This science, like all others of modern date, was in a very imperfect state among the Hebrews. Hence the sacred writers speak of minerals without any scientific classification, and according to their merely external characteristics. This occasions the utmost difficulty in identifying any but the commonest mineral substances. In precious stones, particularly, this vagueness of name and description precludes the possibility of any certainty as to the actual mineral intended, or, rather, leads to the presumption that in most instances no one substance is denoted, but that the name is generic, including all stones of the same general appearance, color, hardness, etc. (See GEM). The following is a list of the mineral productions mentioned in the Bible, with their probable modern representatives. For details, see each word in its place.
| Achlamah | Amethyst | "amethyst." |
| Astro | Alabaster | "alabaster." |
| Amethustos | Amethyst | "amethyst." |
| Arguros | Silver | "silver." |
| Bahat. | Marble | "red marble." |
| Bareketh | Emerald? | "carbuncle." |
| Barzel | Iron | "iron." |
| Bedd | Alloy? | "tin" |
| Bedolach | Bdellium | "bdellium." |
| Berullos | Beryl | "beryl." |
| Betser | Ore | "gold." |
| Bor, Borith} | Alkali | "soap," et |
| Chalkedon | Chalcedony | "chalcedony." |
| Chalkolibdnon | Electrum | "fine brass." |
| Chalkos | Copper | "brass." |
| Challamish | Flint | "flint," etc. |
| Chashmaal | Burnished Copper | " amber." |
| Chemar | Bitumen | "slime." |
| Chol | Sand | "sand." |
| Chrusolethos | Chrysolite | "chrysolite." |
| Chrusoprasos | Chrysoprase | "chrysoprase." |
| Chrusos | Gold | "gold." |
| Dar | Pearl-stone | "white marble." |
| Ekdach | Carbuncle | "carbuncle." |
| Gabish | Crystal | "pearl." |
| Gir | Lime | "chalk." |
| Gophrth | Sulphur | "brimstone." |
| Hals | Salt | "salt." |
| Huakinthos | Hyacinth | "jacinth." |
| Huilos | Glass | "glass." |
| Jaspis | Jasper | "jasper." |
| Kadkod | Ruby | "agate." |
| Kerach | Crystal | "crystal." |
| Keseph | Silver | "silver." |
| Kethem, | Virgin Gold | "gold." |
| Krustallos | Crystal | "crystal." |
| Leshem | Opal? | "ligure." |
| Margarites | Pearl | "pearl." |
| Marnuros | Marble | "marble." |
| Melach | Salt | "salt." |
| Nechash, Nechosheth | Copper | "brass." |
| Nether | Nitre | "nitre.' |
| Nophek | Emerald? | "emerald." |
| O'dem | Garnet | "sardius." |
| Ophereth | Lead | "lead." |
| Paldah | Steel | torch." |
| Paz | Refined Gold | "fine gold." |
| Pitdah | Topaz? | "topaz." |
| Puk | Antimony | "paint." |
| Sappheiros, | sapphire | "sapphire." |
| Sardinos | sapphire | "sardius." |
| Sardios | Carnelian | "sardine." |
| Sardonux | Sardonyx | "Sardonyx." |
| Shaish | Alabaster | "marble." |
| Shamir | Diamond | "diamond," etc. |
| Shasher | Red Ochre | "vermilion." |
| Shebo | Agate? | "agate." |
| Shesh | White Marble | "marble." |
| Shoham | Onyx? | "onyx." |
| Sidros | Iron | "iron." |
| Sig | Scoriae, etc | "dross." |
| Smaragdos | Emerald | "emerald." |
| Sochereth | Spotted Marble | "black marble." |
| Tarshish | Topaz? | "bervl." |
| Theio n | Brimstone | "brimstone." |
| Topazion. | Topaz | "topaz." |
| Tsar | Nodule | "flint." |
| Yahalon.… | Onyx? | "diamond." |
| Yashepheth | Jasper | "jasper. |
| Zahab | Gold | "gold." |
| Zekuketh | Glass | "crystal." |
See Rosenmuller, Biblical Mineralogy and Botany (Edinb. 1846, 12mo); Moore, Ancient Mineralogy (N.Y. 1834, 12mo).
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Mineralogy'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/mineralogy.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
