בָּרֶקֶת
𐤁𐤓𐤒𐤕
bâreqeth
H1304 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A gemstone notable for its dazzling, flashing luster, mentioned in biblical descriptions of precious stones, particularly in priestly garments and in symbolic visions. The precise mineral identification is uncertain and has historically shifted, but it consistently refers to a precious, highly lustrous gem of significant value and beauty.
Semantic Range
gemstone, precious stone, lustrous or glittering stone, emerald (traditionally), carbuncle (traditionally), generally a brilliant gem
Root / Etymology
Root: בָּרָק (to shine, flash, gleam). The noun בָּרֶקֶת is derived from this root, describing an object characterized by its brilliance or sparkling appearance. The meaning is thus not directly 'lightning', as with the root, but refers to a stone noted for its flashy, sparkling aspect.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, בָּרֶקֶת occurs in passages detailing the breastpiece (choshen) of the high priest (Exodus 28:17; 39:10) and in poetic texts (Ezekiel 28:13), where it is named among other costly gemstones. Ancient translations (Septuagint, Vulgate) differ on identification: LXX often renders it as 'smaragdos' (emerald), while Latin Vulgate uses 'carbunculus' (carbuncle). Modern mineralogy cannot conclusively equate בָּרֶקֶת with any single known stone, though suggestions include emerald, beryl, or another green or shining gem. The key lexical concept is brilliance and value, rather than a single mineral type. English 'carbuncle' (red garnet) and 'emerald' (green beryl) reflect traditions but lack exact continuity with the biblical referent. The word is distinct from other Hebrew gemstone terms by its root's focus on brightness or lightning-like brilliance, not color or hardness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
lemma בָּרְקַת variant form, corrected to בָּרֶקֶת; or בָּרְקַתxlit bârᵉkath corrected to bârᵉqath; from בָּרָק; a gem (as flashing), perhaps the emerald; carbuncle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ברק (b-r-q) — to flash, to gleam, to shine
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1299 | בָּרַק | Flash forth! |
| H1300 | בָּרָק | Lightning |
| H1301 | בָּרָק | Lightning |
| H1303 | בַּרְקָן | the flashing-briers |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1304-02 |
וּ/בָרֶ֔קֶת | uvareqet | HC/Ncfsa |
and a carbuncle | and a flashing gem | 2 |
H1304-01 |
וּ/בָרְקַ֖ת | uvareqat | HC/Ncfsa |
and carbuncle | and flashing gem | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1304-02 |
Exodus 28:17 | וּ/בָרֶ֔קֶת | uvareqet | HC/Ncfsa |
and a carbuncle | and a flashing gem |
H1304-02 |
Exodus 39:10 | וּ/בָרֶ֔קֶת | uvareqet | HC/Ncfsa |
and a carbuncle | and a flashing gem |
H1304-01 |
Ezekiel 28:13 | וּ/בָרְקַ֖ת | uvareqat | HC/Ncfsa |
and carbuncle | and flashing gem |