Original Word: נֹפֶךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: nophek
Pronunciation: NO-fehk
Phonetic Spelling: (no'-fek)
KJV: emerald
NASB: turquoise, emeralds
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to glisten]

1. shining
2. a gem, probably the garnet

emerald

From an unused root meaning to glisten; shining; a gem, probably the garnet -- emerald.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
(a precious stone) perhaps emerald
NASB Translation
emeralds (1), turquoise (3).

נֹ֫פֶךְ noun [masculine] a precious stone which Tyre gained by trade Ezekiel 27:16 (where ׳נ doubted by Berthol, queried by Toy: Hpt), compare Ezekiel 28:13 (symbolic of wealth and honour of king of Tyre); in high priest's breastplate Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11. Perhaps = ruby or carbuncle ᵐ5 Joseph. ἄνθραξ, ᵑ9 carbunculus, compare Di^Ex Kau^Ex Sgfr^Ezek Co Berthol; ᵑ7 AV emerald.

Meaning and Identification

The term designates a brilliant green–to–blue-green gemstone rendered “emerald,” “turquoise,” or “carbuncle” in English versions. Mined in antiquity in Egypt’s Sinai and Nubia, the stone’s vivid color, rarity, and durability made it a mark of royalty and sanctuary adornment throughout the ancient Near East.

Biblical Occurrences

• Exodus 28:18; 39:11 – first stone of the second row in the high priest’s breastpiece of judgment.
• Ezekiel 27:16 – one of the luxury goods Tyre imported from Aram.
• Ezekiel 28:13 – among the nine precious stones adorning the anointed cherub in Eden, used to portray the splendor and ensuing hubris of the king of Tyre.

Place in the High Priest’s Breastpiece

Set “over his heart” (Exodus 28:29), נֹפֶךְ represented one of the twelve tribes. The breastpiece proclaimed that every tribe was remembered before the LORD, anticipating the intercessory ministry of Jesus Christ. The stone’s brilliance spoke of covenant privilege; its secure setting of gold of covenant permanence.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

Life and vitality – The emerald hue evokes imagery of flourishing (Psalm 52:8).

Purity and light – Gemstones refract light, mirroring the holiness that surrounds God’s throne (Revelation 4:3).

Humility versus pride – Ezekiel 28 juxtaposes heaven-bestowed beauty with the pride that leads to downfall, turning the stone into a cautionary emblem.

Eschatological echo – Its appearance on the high priest anticipates the multi-gem foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19-20), underscoring the continuity of redemptive history.

Commerce and Wealth

Tyre’s trading lists reveal the economic value of נֹפֶךְ. The prophet’s lament (Ezekiel 27) shows that even the most splendid cargo cannot avert divine judgment. Material wealth, like gemstones, is transient when severed from covenant faithfulness.

Ministry Reflections

• Worship: costly beauty belongs first to God (Malachi 1:8-11).
• Identity: as each tribe was engraved on a precious stone, so every believer is eternally known (John 10:3; Revelation 2:17).
• Stewardship: riches are to be leveraged for the kingdom, not self-exaltation (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Summary

Whether shining from the high priest’s garment or stacked in the warehouses of Tyre, נֹפֶךְ testifies to the LORD’s lavish grace, the peril of pride, and the sure hope of a radiant inheritance kept in heaven for all who belong to the true High Priest.

בְּ֠נֹפֶךְ בנפך נֹ֔פֶךְ נֹ֥פֶךְ נפך bə·nō·p̄eḵ Benofech bənōp̄eḵ nō·p̄eḵ Nofech nōp̄eḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts