| Easton's Bible Dictionary (Ezek. 1:22, with the epithet "terrible, " as dazzling the spectators with its brightness). The word occurs in Revelation 4:6; 21:11; 22:1. It is a stone of the flint order, the most refined kind of quartz. The Greek word here used means also literally "ice." The ancients regarded the crystal as only pure water congealed into extreme hardness by great length of time. Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. See Crystallization. 2. (n.) The material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with gray, or the like; -- called also rock crystal. Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky quartz, Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian. 3. (n.) A species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut into ornamental forms. See Flint glass. 4. (n.) The glass over the dial of a watch case. 5. (n.) Anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc. 6. (a.) Consisting of, or like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid; crystalline. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CRYSTAL kris'-tal: In English Versions of the Bible the word is probably intended to signify rock-crystal, crystallized quartz. This the Greeks called krustallos, "ice," believing it to have been formed from water by intense cold. Thus in Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:11; Revelation 22:1, either "crystal" (EV) or "ice" (Greek, krustallos) suits the context. The word rendered "crystal" in Ezekiel 1:22 (qerach) is ambiguous in precisely the same way (the Revised Version, margin "ice"). In Job 28:17 the context favors the King James Version "crystal," rather than the Revised Version (British and American) "glass" (zekhukhith). Finally, in Job 28:18 the Revised Version (British and American) reads "crystal" for the King James Version "pearls" (Hebrew gabhish; the weight of evidence favors the Revised Version (British and American) in spite of the parallelism suggested by the King James Version).
See also STONES, PRECIOUS. F. K. Farr |  | Multi-Version Concordance Crystal (7 Occurrences) Revelation 4:6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Revelation 21:11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Revelation 22:1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Job 28:17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. (KJV WBS YLT NIV) Job 28:18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV) Isaiah 54:12 I will make your towers of rubies, and your doors of carbuncles, and the wall round you will be of all sorts of beautiful stones. (See NAS) Ezekiel 1:22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV) |
