בָּרֶ֫קֶת (ba.re.qet)
ba.re.qet
gem
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun baraqet refers to a precious gem, specifically identified as an emerald in ancient translations and by Josephus. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within the Priestly descriptions of the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17; 39:10). In these contexts, it serves as one of the twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel.
Etymologically, the word is linked to roots meaning "to flash" or "sparkle," suggesting a stone valued for its bright, reflective quality. This connection to light aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine glory manifesting through radiant materials. While modern translations often use "emerald," some scholars note the term simply denotes a high-value gemstone without specifying the exact mineral type, though the visual association with green brilliance remains strong in traditional interpretation.
The rarity of this word in Scripture underscores its significance. Its exclusive placement in the priestly vestments highlights the holiness and order associated with Israel’s worship. The stone’s role was not merely decorative but symbolic, carrying theological weight as a reminder of God’s covenant people before Him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word baraqet appears only twice in the Old Testament, embedded in the detailed instructions for the high priest’s breastplate. It describes a precious gem, traditionally identified as an emerald, set within the first row of stones. This stone was not merely decorative but served as a tangible reminder of the twelve tribes of Israel standing before God.
Its name connects to roots meaning to flash or sparkle, suggesting a stone valued for its bright, reflective quality. In the context of worship, this brilliance points toward the divine glory manifesting through radiant materials. For believers today, it highlights how God values order and beauty in approaching Him, using physical objects to signify spiritual realities.
Though rare in Scripture, baraqet underscores the holiness associated with Israel’s worship. It reminds us that our connection to God is marked by covenant faithfulness and divine presence, reflected in the precious stones worn by those who mediated between heaven and earth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ a beryl2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בָרֶ֔קֶת2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 28:17
You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row;
This verse establishes baraqet as part of the first row of stones on the high priest’s breastplate, symbolizing the tribes’ presence before God.
-
Exodus 39:10
They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row;
Here the stone is recounted during the actual crafting of the breastplate, confirming its role in fulfilling the divine instructions for priestly garments.