12 tribes


KJV	Sardius Emerald Ligure Beryl	Topaz Sapphire Agate Onyx	Carbuncle Diamond Amethyst Jasper

Torah	Carnelian Turquoise Jacinth Beryl	Chrysolite Sapphire Agate Lapis Lazuli	Emerald Amethyst Crystal Jasper

LXX	Sardius Carbuncle Ligure Chrysolite	Topaz Sapphire Agate Beryl	Smaragdus Jasper Amethyst Onyx

Peshitta	Sardius Carbuncle Jacinth Beryl	Topaz Sapphire Zircon Onyx	Emerald Jasper Carnelian Jasper

Targum	Carnelian Carbuncle Jacinth Chrysolite	Topaz Sapphire Agate Beryl	Smaragdus Onyx Amethyst Jasper

Josephus	Sardonyx Carbuncle Ligure Chrysolite	Topaz Jasper Amethyst Onyx	Emerald Sapphire Agate Beryl

The Torah (Masoretic Text) states in its foot notes:
The identity of several of these twelve stones is uncertain.

For the sake of this study we will use the arrangements found in the King James.

Sardius

Tribe of Judah

Sardius	means to be Red or Rosy, to show blood in the face, to be ruddy
Judah	means to praise the Lord. Compare breastplate with long-suffering, even in our prayer life. Let God light up the stone of His choice.

Topaz

Tribe of Issachar

Topaz	conveys the ideal of a pasture. A pleasant place, satisfaction, or a dwelling place. Its color was a rich yellow with a green tint.
Issachar	means ‘to bring a reward’. Jesus is the topaz stone that provides the pleasant place, and as we feed on the yellow light of illumination we grow spiritually. We find that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. He is the stone of satisfaction; He is the living pasture.

Carbuncle

Tribe of Zebulun

Carbuncle	means burning, flashing like lightning. Lightning was a symbol of the glorious and awful majesty of the power of Jehovah.
Zebulun	is a continuing city, to enclose, to dwell with. This would suggest a city filled with the glory and majesty of the power of God. Matthew 5:14-16.

Emerald

Tribe of Reuben

Emerald	signifies a glowing and shining stone and was either red or green.
Reuben	means ‘Behold ye a son’. We need to catch a vision of the Son. Red - Blood, Green - Abundant life.

Sapphire

Tribe of Simeon

Sapphire	was blue and ranged in different hues all the way from the bright blue to the deep blue, and also signifies stairs. The deep blue is a symbol of deep and hidden spiritual truths and the stairs speak of ascent.
Simeon	means ‘That hears and obeys’ James 4:17; 1:22

Diamond

Tribe of Gad

Diamond	a stone that cuts or engraves.
Gad	signifies An Army Song of Solomon 6:4, Put on hardness as a good soldier.

Ligure

Tribe of Ephraim

Ligure	signifies a Golden yellow like a grain of wheat.
Ephraim	means ‘Doubly Fruitful. Like a corn of wheat must die to bring forth fruit we must die to the flesh on a daily basis.

Agate

Tribe of Manasseh

Agate	signifies Divided into streams or flashes, striking fire, crimson fire.
Manasseh	means forgetfulness. Forget our sins; forgive and forget. Philippians 3:13

Amethyst

Tribe of Benjamin

Amethyst	signifies possessor and was thought to be purple.
Benjamin	means son of the right hand. Purple means royalty. Jesus as the right hand of God signifying power and authority. Rules and reigns in our lives.

Beryl

Tribe of Dan

Beryl	means to test, to try, to investigate
Dan	means to Judge. Let Gods test and try us. His judgment is true.

Onyx

Tribe of Asher

Onyx	means to blanch, to take the color out and make lustrous.
Asher	means Blessedness, Blanch the self life. Psalms 1:1.

Jasper

Tribe of Naphtali

Jasper	means to polish, prevailing power, strength and was transparent and brilliant. Polish means to make smooth or glossy by FRICTION.
Naphtali	Naphtali means one who contends, the fighting of the enthroned one against his enemies. Enthrone Christ - Let Him fight against the flesh. Galatians 5:16-18.