Ligure

At a Glance

A biblical gemstone name used in some older English translations, especially in the breastpiece passages of Exodus.

Key Points

• Appears in older translation tradition, not as a major theological concept.
• Refers to one of the stones in the high priest’s breastpiece.
• The exact modern gemstone identification is uncertain.
• Useful mainly for biblical background and translation study.

Description

Ligure does not function as a theological concept in the ordinary sense and is better treated as a biblical gemstone or translation term. In older English Bible traditions, it appears as the name of one of the precious stones associated with the high priest’s breastpiece in Exodus. Because ancient gemstone terminology is often imprecise by modern standards, interpreters should avoid dogmatic claims about the exact mineral equivalent. The term is valuable mainly for understanding older translations, priestly symbolism, and the limits of certainty when matching ancient stone names to modern gem classifications.

Biblical Context

In Exodus, the high priest’s breastpiece was set with twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. Ligure appears in some older translations as the name of one of those stones, making it part of the broader priestly and symbolic imagery of the tabernacle materials.

Historical Context

Older English translations sometimes preserved traditional gemstone names that later versions replaced with other renderings or transliterations. This reflects the long history of uncertainty in identifying ancient stones and the way translation traditions develop over time.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient Near Eastern and Jewish references to gemstones often use names that are difficult to match precisely with modern minerals. The biblical emphasis is not on modern gemology but on sacred symbolism, craftsmanship, and representation in the priestly setting.

Primary Key Texts

• Exodus 28:19
• Exodus 39:12

Secondary Key Texts

• Exodus 28:17-21
• Exodus 39:10-14

Original Language Note

Older translations render one of the Hebrew gemstone names as "ligure." The underlying stone is not identified with certainty, and modern equivalents vary.

Theological Significance

Ligure matters chiefly as a background term in the priestly clothing of Exodus. It illustrates the detailed, symbolic design of the high priest’s breastpiece and the care taken in Israel’s worship, without carrying independent doctrinal weight.

Philosophical Explanation

This term shows how ancient categories do not always map neatly onto modern taxonomy. A biblical dictionary should preserve the term’s historical and literary value while resisting overconfident claims about exact scientific identification.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine on speculative mineral identifications. The biblical meaning lies in the text’s symbolic and liturgical context, not in a certainty about which modern gemstone the name represents.

Major Views

Translators and scholars differ on the exact stone intended by the older term. Some modern versions avoid "ligure" altogether and use a different gemstone name or a transliterated equivalent.

Doctrinal Boundaries

No core doctrine depends on the precise modern identification of ligure. The passage’s theological emphasis is the priestly symbolism established by God, not gem classification.

Practical Significance

Helpful for readers comparing Bible translations and studying the tabernacle, priestly garments, and the symbolism of Exodus.

Related Entries

• Breastpiece of judgment
• High priest
• Precious stones
• Exodus 28
• Exodus 39

See Also

• Jacinth
• Onyx
• Sardius
• Topaz