Jacinth (ὑ άκινθος, Ital. giacinto)
Jacinth, or hyacinth, is the colour of the eleventh foundation-stone of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20). The cuirasses of apocalyptic horsemen are partly hyacinthine (9:17). The ὑ άκινθος of the ancients was probably our sapphire (21:20 [RVm [Note: Vm Revised Version margin.] ]). The modern hyacinth, a variety of zircon, of yellowish red colour, may have be en the stone known in Gr. as λογύριον and in Heb. as leshem (the RV [Note: V Revised Version.] of Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12 has ‘jacinth’ where the AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] has ‘ligure’); but Flinders Petrie (HDB [Note: DB Hastings’ Dict. of the Bible (5 vols.).] iv. 620) suggests that the latter was yellow quartz or agate. Many Greek and Roman ‘hyacinths,’ used for intaglios and cameos, were probably only garnets.
James Strahan.