Amethyst

Amethyst [N] [S]

one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest ( Exodus 28:19 ; 39:12 ), and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:20 ). The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from a_, "privative," and _methuo , "to get drunk." Its Jewish name, ahlamah' , was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word halam , "to dream," from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream.

It is a pale-blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Amethyst". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .