Ruby

VIEW:28 DATA:01-04-2020

RUBY.—See Jewels and Precious Stones.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909

a beautiful gem, whose colour is red, with an admixture of purple, and is, in its most perfect state, a gem of extreme value. In hardness it is equal to the sapphire, and second only to the diamond. It is mentioned in Job_28:18, and Pro_8:11, &c.
Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson
PRINTER 1849.

rōō?bi. See STONES, PRECIOUS.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.

The word rendered 'ruby' in the Authorized Version (Job_28:18; Pro_3:15; Pro_8:11; Pro_20:15; Pro_31:10; Lam_4:7) appears rather to indicate 'pearls.' The ruby is, however, generally supposed to be represented by the word rendered 'agate' in Eze_27:6, and Isa_54:12. The Oriental ruby is distinguished for its vivid red color, and was regarded as the most valuable of precious stones next after the diamond.




The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.

Ruby
(only plur. פְּנַינַי םpeninim; once [Proverbs 315, Kethib] פְּנַיַּי ם, peniyim; Sept. λίθοι, or λίθοι πολυτελεῖς; Vulg. cunctoe opes, cuncta pretiosissima, gemmoe, de ultimis finibus, ebor antiquum), a gem concerning which there is much difference of opinion and great uncertainty. It occurs in the following passages: “The price of wisdom is above peninim” (Job_28:18; so also Pro_3:15; Pro_8:11; Pro_31:10); “A multitude of peninim” (20:15). In Lam_4:7, it is said, “the Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than peninim.” Boote (Animad. Sac. 4, 3), on account of the ruddiness mentioned in the last passage, supposed “coral” to be intended, for which, however, there appears to be another Hebrew word. SEE CORAL. Michaelis (Suppl. p. 2023) is of the same opinion, and compares the Heb. פְּנַנָּה; with the Arab. panah, “a branch.” Gesenius (Thesaur. s.v.) defends this argument. Bochart (Hieroz. 3, 601) contends that the Hebrew term denotes pearls, and explains the “ruddiness” alluded to above by supposing that the original word (אָדְמוּ) signifies merely “bright in color,” or “color of a reddish tinge.” This opinion is supported by Rosenmüller (Schol. in Thren.) and others, but opposed by Maurer (Comment.) and Gesenius. Certainly it would be no compliment to the great people of the land to say that their bodies were as red as coral or rubies, unless we adopt Maurer's explanation, who refers the “ruddiness” to the blood which flowed in their veins. SEE RUDDY. On the whole, considering that the Hebrew word is always used in the plural, we are inclined to adopt Bochart's explanation, and understand pearls to be intended. SEE PEARL.
The ruby is, however, generally supposed to be represented by the word כּ דְכֹּד, kad-kod', which occurs in Eze_27:6, and Isa_54:12, where the A.V. renders it “agate” (q.v.). An Arabic word of similar sound (kadskadsat) signifies “vivid redness;” and as the Hebrew word may be derived from a root of like signification, it is inferred that it denotes the Oriental ruby, which is distinguished for its vivid red color, and was regarded as the most valuable of precious stones next after the diamond. This mode of identification, however, seems rather precarious. The Greek translator of Eze_27:16 does not appear to have known what it meant, for he preserves the original word; and although the translator of Isa_54:12 has jasper (Gr. iaspis, ἴασπις), he is not regarded as any authority in such matters when he stands alone. The ruby was doubtless known to the Hebrews, but it is by no means certain that kad-kod was its name. Some have supposed that the word ekdach, אֶקְדָּח, which from its etymology should signify a sparkling, flaming gem, is to be regarded as a species of ruby. It occurs only in Isa_54:12; hence the Sept. and A.V. make it a “carbuncle” (q.v.).
The ruby of mineralogists is a red sapphire (q.v.) or spinel. It is a gem highly prized, and only inferior in value to the diamond. The finest are the Oriental, which are chiefly brought from Ceylon and Burmah. They are found in alluvial deposits. The ruby, like other gems, had a host of occult virtues attributed to it by the Cabalists. It was supposed to give valor to the soldier in battle; to decide and concentrate affection; to foretell evil by growing pale, and to indicate that the danger was past by recovering its vivid color. SEE GEM.

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.

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