Birthstones, also known as natal gems, are precious or semi-precious gemstones associated with each month of the year. Many cultures, including ancient Jewish and early Christian societies, have linked certain stones with birth months. The modern birthstone list dates back to 1912, when the American National Association of Jewelers created an official list. This list connected specific gems with calendar months to standardize the birthstone tradition and make it easier to market jewelry.
While birthstones are not mentioned in the Bible, some Bible passages refer to precious stones more generally. There are also theories that connect the twelve gemstones on the high priest’s breastplate to the twelve months of the year. So while the Bible does not contain an explicit birthstone list, some inferences about natal gems can be drawn from scripture. This article will explore biblical references to precious stones and possible connections to birthstones.
Precious Stones in the Bible
The Bible contains many references to precious and semi-precious stones. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, jasper, and other gems are mentioned in both literal and symbolic contexts. Here are some notable examples:
– The high priest’s breastplate contained 12 different gemstones representing the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21). The exact identity of some of these stones is uncertain.
– The book of Ezekiel describes the covering of the King of Tyre, which may have been an ornate vest or robe adorned with gemstones (Ezekiel 28:13).
– The book of Revelation metaphorically describes the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem as being adorned with 12 different gems (Revelation 21:19-20).
– The creation story in Genesis references bdellium, which may have been a pearl-like gemstone (Genesis 2:12).
– Proverbs makes figurative comparisons using rubies, coral, topaz and other precious materials (Proverbs 3:14-15, 8:11, 20:15, 31:10).
So while the Bible does not provide an explicit birthstone list, it shows that ancient people prized gemstones and associated them with nobility, wisdom, and spiritual insight. The varied symbolic uses also foreshadow how birthstones would later come to represent personal meaning for individuals.
High Priest’s Breastplate Stones
One relevant biblical passage is the description of the 12 stones on the breastplate worn by the high priest of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21). The breastplate contained four rows with three precious stones in each row, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The stones were emerald, sapphire, diamond, topaz, carbuncle, sardonyx, sardius, ligure, agate, amethyst, beryl, and jasper.
According to Exodus, these gems were chosen by God to represent the 12 tribes. Scholars have proposed theories about which specific tribes matched with which stones, but there is no consensus. Some interpret the stones as aligning with the 12 zodiac signs, since ancient astrologers saw connections between gems and stars.
There are also Jewish traditions associating the 12 breastplate stones with the 12 months of the Hebrew calendar. This was perhaps an effort to connect the gems with the 12 tribes/sons of Jacob, which had already been assigned monthly blessings in the Hebrew tradition. So while Scripture does not specify any birthstone associations, later Jewish commentators drew these connections.
New Jerusalem Gems in Revelation
The book of Revelation also mentions 12 different gems in its description of the New Jerusalem. It says the city’s 12 foundations were adorned with precious stones – jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth and amethyst (Revelation 21:19-20).
Some historians have theorized these gems match the breastplate stones, or represent the 12 apostles or the 12 months of the year. But Revelation does not make any of those connections explicitly. The context suggests these stones are symbolic of the city’s beauty, splendor and divine craftsmanship. So the book of Revelation establishes gems as precious in God’s kingdom, but again does not directly link specific stones with months or any birthstone tradition.
Theories Linking Breastplate and Revelation Gems
While Scripture does not specify connections, some bible scholars and historians have theorized about matching the 12 breastplate stones with the 12 New Jerusalem gems, and assigning both sets to the 12 months of the year. Here are some of those theories:
| Month | Breastplate Stone | New Jerusalem Stone |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond | Diamond |
| May | Agate | Emerald |
| June | Pearl | Pearl |
| July | Ruby | Ruby |
| August | Jasper | Jasper |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| October | Opal | Opal |
| November | Topaz | Topaz |
| December | Zircon | Turquoise |
As this table shows, scholars have tried matching the breastplate and New Jerusalem gems to calendar months. In some cases, the stones clearly correspond, like sapphire in September or ruby in July. In other months, the connections are more tenuous or debated. And there is no biblical text actually affirming these correlations – they are speculation based on attempts to link the 12 stones to the 12 tribes and then the 12 months.
Traditional Birthstones vs Biblical Gems
If we compare the list of traditional birthstones to the biblical gems, there are overlaps but also many differences:
| Month | Modern Birthstone | Biblical Gems |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet | Garnet |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst |
| March | Aquamarine | Aquamarine |
| April | Diamond | Diamond |
| May | Emerald | Emerald, Agate |
| June | Pearl, Alexandrite | Pearl |
| July | Ruby | Ruby |
| August | Peridot | Jasper |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| October | Tourmaline, Opal | Opal |
| November | Topaz, Citrine | Topaz |
| December | Turquoise, Zircon | Garnet, Zircon |
As seen above, some correspondences appear to link the modern birthstones with biblical gems, including diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire. But other months show discrepancies between the traditional birthstone and the biblical stone.
Overall, the modern birthstone list includes gems not mentioned in biblical texts (like alexandrite, peridot, and tourmaline) and omits some stones that are biblical (like onyx, carnelian, agate, and beryl). This shows that the modern list was influenced by other factors, including popularity, marketing, and availability, rather than biblical associations.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible does not explicitly mention birthstones or provide a list connecting stones to months. But Scriptural texts and ancient Jewish traditions do associate certain gems with the 12 tribes, the 12 months, and the zodiac – foreshadowing the birthstone custom. Some propose theories about reconciling the 12 breastplate stones and New Jerusalem gems with months of the year and the modern birthstones. While intriguing, these theories require filling in gaps that the Bible itself leaves open. The traditional birthstone list relies on modern adaptations rather than direct biblical precedent. However, biblical mentions of precious stones remind us of their enduring symbolic value, importance, and sacred meaning.
