Heavenly Foundations: ὑάκινθος (Strong’s G5192: hyakinthos) Adorns New Jerusalem

Strong’s G5192: A precious stone of blue-purple color, named after the hyacinth flower. In Revelation, it appears as one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, symbolizing heavenly glory and divine majesty in apocalyptic literature.

U – Unveiling the Word

ὑάκινθος represents both a flower and a precious stone known for its deep blue-purple color. In its New Testament context, it appears as one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, carrying rich symbolic significance. The stone was highly valued in ancient times for its beauty and rarity, making it a fitting symbol for the glory of God’s eternal city. The early church saw in this gem a representation of heavenly qualities and divine attributes. Today, it continues to remind us of the incomparable beauty and permanence of our eternal dwelling place with God.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑάκινθος, hyakinthos, /hyˈa.kin.θos/
• Pronunciation: hoo-AH-kin-thos
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: ὑα- (hya-) possibly from Proto-Indo-European
• Suffix: -κινθος (-kinthos) forming noun
• Function: Names both flower and gemstone

D – Defining Meanings

• Blue-purple precious stone
• Hyacinth flower
• Deep blue gem
• Symbol of heavenly beauty

For compound words: Not applicable as ὑάκινθος is not a compound word

Translation Options:

• “Hyacinth” – Traditional translation
• “Jacinth” – Alternative gem name
• “Blue sapphire” – Modern equivalent

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σάπφειρος (sappheiros, /ˈsap.fei.ros/) – sapphire See G4552
• χρυσόλιθος (chrysolithos, /χryˈso.li.θos/) – chrysolite See G5555
• ἄνθος (anthos, /ˈan.θos/) – flower See G438

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second

Examples:

• Nominative: ὑάκινθος
• Genitive: ὑακίνθου
• Dative: ὑακίνθῳ
• Accusative: ὑάκινθον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide rich detail about ὑάκινθος. BDAG emphasizes its dual meaning as both flower and gem. Thayer’s notes its distinctive blue-purple color. LSJ documents its extensive use in describing luxury items. Vine’s highlights its significance in Revelation’s symbolism. Strong’s connects it to both natural beauty and divine glory. Moulton and Milligan show its value in ancient commerce. The word carried connotations of both natural and supernatural beauty, making it particularly suitable for describing heavenly realities.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Revelation 21:20: “the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth [ὑάκινθος], and the twelfth amethyst.”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in Scripture.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ὑάκινθος beautifully illustrates the glory of our eternal home in the New Jerusalem. As one of the foundation stones, it represents the permanent and precious nature of God’s dwelling with His people. The good news shines through as we realize that King Jesus is preparing a place of incomparable beauty for His people, where every detail, down to the foundation stones, reflects His glory and majesty.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient hyacinth stones were often used in royal jewelry
2. The stone was believed to protect against melancholy
3. Medieval Christians associated it with heavenly wisdom

Strong’s G5192: A precious stone of deep blue-purple color, appearing as one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, symbolizing the eternal beauty and permanence of God’s dwelling with His people.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: precious stones, New Jerusalem, heavenly city, divine glory, apocalyptic symbolism, foundations, eternal life, beauty, revelation, gems, divine attributes, heavenly dwelling​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​