ὑάκινθος (huakinthos)
huakinthos
hyacinth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun huakinthos refers to a hyacinth, which in ancient usage could denote either a dark blue flower or a precious gemstone of that same deep hue. While classical writers typically identified it with the iris flower, later sources and translators often understood it as a sapphire-like stone. This shift reflects how the term evolved from describing a plant to naming a valuable mineral of striking color.
In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Revelation 21:20, where it describes one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. Here, the gem represents the beauty and permanence of God’s city. The choice of such a vividly colored stone underscores the richness and glory depicted in John’s vision.
Though its exact botanical or mineral identity remains uncertain, the word consistently conveys something rare and beautiful. Its single biblical occurrence highlights how even small details in Revelation carry symbolic weight, pointing to the splendor of the eternal kingdom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hyacinth appears just once in Scripture, nestled within the breathtaking description of the New Jerusalem’s foundations. In Revelation 21:20, John lists it as the eleventh stone, a deep blue gem that catches the eye among the city’s radiant architecture. This single mention invites us to pause and imagine the glory of God’s eternal home, where beauty is not just decorative but intrinsic to His presence.
While scholars debate whether this term refers to a flower or a sapphire-like stone, its impact remains clear: it symbolizes rarity, depth, and divine craftsmanship. For believers, this detail reminds us that God pays attention to even the smallest elements of His creation. The New Jerusalem is not merely a place but a reflection of His character—orderly, precious, and enduring.
When we read about such vivid imagery, it encourages our faith by grounding hope in tangible promises. God’s kingdom is real, beautiful, and worth longing for. This stone, like the others, points to a reality beyond our current sight, inviting us to trust in the fullness of what He has prepared.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- jacinth,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑάκινθος,1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 21:20
the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
This verse lists hyacinth as the eleventh foundation stone, highlighting its role in symbolizing the structured beauty and permanence of the New Jerusalem.