Agate. A beautifully-veined semi-transparent precious stone, a variety of quartz. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands or blended in clouds. It is mentioned four times in the text of the Authorized Version, namely, in Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12; Isaiah 54:12; Ezekiel 27:16.
In the two former passages; where it is represented by the Hebrew word, 'shebo', it is spoken of as forming the second stone in the third row of the high priest's breastplate; in each of the two latter places, the original word is 'cadced', by which, no doubt, is intended a different stone. See Ruby. Our English agate derives its name from the Achates, on the banks of which it was first found.
More than 4,500 subjects and proper names are defined and analyzed with corresponding Scripture references. Bible students have used "Smith's Bible Dictionary" since its introduction in the 1880s, making it a trustworthy classic.Wikipedia
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