{
  "id": "dict_005079",
  "term": "Sardius",
  "slug": "sardius",
  "letter": "S",
  "entry_type": "biblical_object",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "A biblical gemstone term for a precious stone usually understood as red or reddish-brown, used in sacred and visionary settings.",
  "simple_one_line": "Sardius is a precious stone named in Scripture, often understood as a red gemstone.",
  "tooltip_text": "A biblical gemstone term, often identified with a red or reddish stone, found in priestly and apocalyptic imagery.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Breastpiece",
    "Jasper",
    "Ruby",
    "Precious stones",
    "New Jerusalem"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "High priest",
    "Revelation",
    "Ezekiel 28"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Sardius is a precious stone mentioned in Scripture, commonly understood as a reddish gem. It appears in contexts of holiness, beauty, and divine glory, especially in the high priest’s breastpiece and in apocalyptic visions.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Biblical gemstone term; usually identified as a red or reddish-brown precious stone.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Appears in priestly and visionary imagery",
    "Exact modern mineral identification is uncertain",
    "Used descriptively and symbolically, not as a separate doctrine"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Sardius is a gemstone named in the Bible, commonly understood to be a red or reddish-brown stone. It is listed among the stones in the high priest’s breastpiece and appears again in visionary descriptions. Because ancient gem names do not always match modern classifications exactly, the precise mineral identification remains uncertain.",
  "description_academic_full": "Sardius is a precious stone mentioned in several biblical settings, most notably among the stones of the high priest’s breastpiece and in visions associated with divine glory and the New Jerusalem. It is usually understood as a red or reddish stone, though exact identification by modern mineral categories is uncertain. Scripture uses such stones to convey beauty, value, holiness, and splendor rather than to teach a distinct doctrine about the stone itself. Sardius is therefore best understood as a biblical gemstone term with descriptive and symbolic significance.",
  "background_biblical_context": "In the Old Testament, sardius is associated with the high priest’s breastpiece and with precious stone imagery in Eden and prophetic vision. In Revelation, it appears in throne-room and New Jerusalem imagery, contributing to the book’s language of glory and majesty.",
  "background_historical_context": "Ancient gemstone names were often broader than modern mineral labels, so sardius may not correspond exactly to a single modern gem. The term was used in the ancient world for a valued red stone, likely in the range of carnelian or a related gemstone.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In the ancient Near East and Second Temple period, precious stones were associated with wealth, royal dignity, priestly holiness, and sacred symbolism. Sardius fits this broader biblical and cultural pattern of using gemstones to express honor and splendor.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Exod 28:17",
    "Exod 39:10",
    "Rev 4:3",
    "Rev 21:20"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Ezek 28:13"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew and Greek forms behind this term refer to an ancient gemstone name whose exact modern equivalent is uncertain. Translators commonly render it as sardius or sardine stone, often understood as a reddish gem.",
  "theological_significance": "Sardius itself does not carry a standalone doctrine, but it contributes to biblical imagery of holiness, priesthood, divine glory, and the preciousness of what is set apart to God.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "The term illustrates how biblical language often uses material beauty and value to communicate spiritual realities. The stone is not the message; it serves the message by symbolizing splendor, honor, and sacred distinction.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Ancient gemstone identifications are not exact, so modern labels should be held loosely. The symbolic use of sardius should not be overread into hidden codes or speculative allegory.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters identify sardius as a red gemstone, but there is some variation in proposed modern equivalents. The safest approach is to preserve the biblical sense without claiming more precision than the text provides.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Sardius is a biblical object term, not a doctrine. Interpretations should remain within the text’s descriptive and symbolic use and should not build theology from uncertain gem identification.",
  "practical_significance": "Sardius reminds readers that Scripture often uses created beauty to point to God’s holiness and glory. It also models careful interpretation where ancient terms are respected without overprecision.",
  "meta_description": "Sardius is a biblical gemstone term, usually understood as a red or reddish stone, used in priestly and apocalyptic imagery.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/sardius/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/sardius.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}