This is a repost of Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Jasper. This series originally appeared in 2019. (With a little dusting and updating they will all be reposted in the coming days. Stay tuned.)
Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) ©WikiC
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;” (KJV)
Hit a problem already. No Jasper named birds; first or last name. Now what? Most all the translations of Revelation 21:19 say that the first foundation was jasper or similar.
Tan and Cream Jasper – ©MineralNet
Here are a few exceptions from Bible Gateway’s list of versions:
the first foundation stone was diamond – CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
“The first foundation was gray quartz” – GW, NOG (God’s Word & Names of God)
“The first stone was red jasper” – WE (Worldwide English)
Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) Male and Female ©WikiC
From my e-Sword Program, here are more different translations:
(clVulgate) Et fundamenta muri civitatis omni lapide pretioso ornata. Fundamentum primum, jaspis: secundum, sapphirus: tertium, calcedonius: quartum, smaragdus:
Vulgate fundamentum primum iaspis
KJV+ uses jasper; G2393
Translit+ uses iaspis G2393
G2393 is iaspiv iaspis
Rev_4:3 Rev_21:11 Rev_21:18-19
Spotted Jasper
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) ©WikiC
Looking at the Dictionaries, these clues from them:
Thayer gives G2393 this:
ἴασπις
iaspis
Thayer Definition:
1) jasper, a precious stone of various colours (for some are purple, others blue, others green, and others the colour of brass)
Part of Speech: noun feminine
NASEC [New American Exhaustive Commentary]
G2393
ἴασπις
iaspis; of Semitic or.; jasper (a translucent stone): – jasper (4).
Strong LXX
G2393
ἴασπις
iaspis
ee’-as-pis
Probably of foreign origin (see [H3471]); “jasper”, a gem: – jasper.
H3471
ישׁפה
yâshphêh
yaw-shef-ay’
From an unused root meaning to polish; a gem supposed to be jasper (from the resemblance in name): – jasper.
The best clues from all of these seems to be from Thayer and NASEC. “It appears to be: a translucent stone”, and “a precious stone of various colours (for some are purple, others blue, others green, and others the colour of brass).” That could describe thousands of birds.
“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;” (Revelation 21:11 KJV)
Kaleidoscope Jasper from Oregon ©WikiC
Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys) ©WikiC
Which birds do I show? See the Dilemma? Could use just about any multicolored bird.
Looking on the internet, I found this: “THE GEMSTONE JASPER – Jasper is an opaque variety of Chalcedony, and is usually associated with brown, yellow, or reddish colors, but may be used to describe other opaque colors of Chalcedony such as dark or mottled green, orange, and black. Jasper is almost always multicolored, with unique color patterns and habits.
Bruneau Jasper Stone ©WikiC
The appeal of Jasper is its interesting color patterns and formations. Though it can be a solid color, it is most often mottled, spotted, ringed, or striped. Each Jasper has a unique color or pattern, lending this gemstone much variety. Jasper is an ancient gemstone, and is mentioned in the bible and other classical sources. Though fairly common and affordable today, Jasper in antiquity was regarded as a valuable stone. “[Minerals Net]
That quote makes one think of how we are to the Lord. We are often “mottled, spotted, ringed, or striped.” We are in need of the Savior because we are sinners, but each of us are valuable to the Lord. He gave His life for us on the cross. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:16-19 KJV)
*** Articles in this Repost Series 2024 so far:
- Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Introduction II
- Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Foundation Stones II
Previous Post About Precious Stones
Wordless Birds
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 