Bible Dictionary
Carbuncle
Carbuncle denotes a brilliant precious stone mentioned in the high priest’s breastplate and prophetic descriptions. The exact stone is uncertain and may include emerald or garnet.
Definition
Carbuncle denotes a brilliant, sparkling precious stone. The term may refer generally to a bright gem and, in other passages, to a stone identified with emerald or possibly garnet. Its name is associated with glittering, flashing, or shining like a burning coal.
Biblical Usage
Carbuncle appears among the stones of the high priest’s breastplate and in prophetic descriptions of beauty and glory.
Historical Background
The exact identification is uncertain. The stone described was regarded as hard and costly, and the Hebrew terms behind the English word are not identical in every passage.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13). Heb. barkath; LXX. smaragdos; Vulgate, smaragdus; Revised Version, marg., “emerald.” The Hebrew word is from a root meaning “to glitter,” “lighten,” “flash.” When held up to the sun, this gem shines like a burning coal, a dark-red glowing coal, and hence is called “carbunculus”, i.e., a little coal. It was one of the jewels in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate. It has been conjectured by some that the garnet is meant. In Isa. 54:12 the Hebrew word is ’ekdah, used in the prophetic description of the glory and beauty of the mansions above. Next to the diamond it is the hardest and most costly of all precious stones.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
This word represents two Hebrew words. The first may he a general term to denote any bright, sparkling gem, (Isaiah 54:12) the second, (Exodus 28:17; 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13) is supposed to be and smaragdus or emerald.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kar'-bun-k'-l.</p><p>See STONES, PRECIOUS.</p>