Jasper

(Heb. yashpheh, “glittering”), a gem of various colours, one of the twelve inserted in the high priest’s breast-plate (Ex. 28:20). It is named in the building of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:18, 19). It was “most precious,” “clear as crystal” (21:11). It was emblematic of the glory of God (4:3).

a precious stone frequently noticed in Scripture. It was the last of the twelve inserted in the high priest’s breastplate, (Exodus 28:20; 39:13) and the first of the twelve used in the foundations of the new Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:19) The characteristics of the stone as far as they are specified in Scripture, (Revelation 21:11) are that it “was most precious,” and “like crystal;” we may also infer from (Revelation 4:3) that it was a stone of brilliant and transparent light. The stone which we name “jasper” does not accord with this description. There can be no doubt that the diamond would more adequately answer to the description in the book of Revelation.

JAS'PER, the last stone in the breastplate of the high priest, and the first in the foundations of the new Jerusalem. Ex 28:20; Rev 21:19. Jasper is an opaque species of quartz, of different colors, often banded or spotted, and susceptible of a high polish. The darkgreen kind is supposed to be the variety of the Bible. From the apparent inconsistency of Rev 4:3; Rev 21:11 with the opaque character of this stone, it has been suggested that some transparent gem was denoted by jasper in the N.T. — perhaps the diamond or the translucent chalcedony. See Stones, Precious.

JAS'PER, the last stone in the breastplate of the high priest, and the first in the foundations of the new Jerusalem. Ex 28:20; Rev 21:19. Jasper is an opaque species of quartz, of different colors, often banded or spotted, and susceptible of a high polish. The darkgreen kind is supposed to be the variety of the Bible. From the apparent inconsistency of Rev 4:3; Rev 21:11 with the opaque character of this stone, it has been suggested that some transparent gem was denoted by jasper in the N.T. — perhaps the diamond or the translucent chalcedony. See Stones, Precious.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

An opaque, impure variety of quartz, of red, yellow, and other dull colors, breaking with a smooth surface. It admits of a high polish, and is used for vases, seals, snuff boxes, etc. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. The Egyptian pebble is a brownish yellow jasper. Jasper opal, a yellow variety of opal resembling jasper. -- Jasper ware, a delicate kind of earthenware invented by Josiah Wedgwood. It is usually white, but is capable of receiving color.