Where does the topaz appear in the Bible and what was it used for? How will it help to fulfill end time prophecy? What powers and abilities were thought to be possessed by this gemstone?
Description of Gem
Topaz is an aluminum silicate containing fluorine. It is formed in igneous rocks like granite and rhyolite, often in cavities where it can grow into large, well-shaped crystals. Some of the biggest gem crystals ever found are topaz.
Topaz is a beautiful gemstone that occurs naturally in several colors. Blue, yellow, and golden are especially popular colors. Pure topaz is actually colorless.
According to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, which quotes Pliny the Elder, this stone is green and transparent like chrysolite. It has been sought after and collected since ancient times for its stunning clearness and transparency.
The topazion (Greek for topaz) of Pliny's time was "held in very high estimation for its green tints; when it was first discovered it was preferred to every other kind of precious stone." It was said to be brought from an island in the Red Sea, off the coast of Arabia. It was the only stone of high value that could be filed.
Sources
The topaz precious stone can be found in Brazil (especially Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais for imperial topaz), Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Sri Lanka, and Russia.
Deposits of this gem are also located in Italy, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, Australia's Flinders Island, Ukraine and the United States (Colorado and California). Brazil is the largest producer of this gem (Topaz Guide, November 24, 2016 edition).
How Hard Is it?
Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes it one of the hardest gemstones found in the Bible. Only diamonds (hardness of 10), sapphires and rubies (9) are harder.
Biblical Occurrences
Topaz is mentioned by name, in the King James Bible, 5 times in 5 verses. It is found twice in Exodus and once each in Job, Ezekiel and Revelation.
Both Exodus 28:17 and Exodus 39:10 states the middle stone in the High Priest's breastplate, in the first row, is a topaz.
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz (Hebrew pitdah, Strong's Concordance #H6357), and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row . . .
And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz (Hebrew pitdah), and a carbuncle: this was the first row. (Exodus 28:17, 39:10, KJV throughout).
The Hebrew word pitdah, however, is best translated as a peridot (Gemstones in the Breastplate, pages 14 - 16).
Job, in one of his periodic long discourses concerning his trials, reveals the value of wisdom is far beyond what humans think is precious.
But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living . . .
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir . . .
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. (Job 28:12 - 13, 16, 19).
The book of Ezekiel reveals that topaz was used by God to adorn the cherub named Lucifer upon his creation.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle . . . (Ezekiel 28:13).
John's prophecy of the New Jerusalem reveals that this gemstone will be utilized by God to create the city's ninth foundation stone!
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire ; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz (Greek topazion, Strong's #G5116); the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Revelation 21:19 - 20).
Other Uses
In ancient times amulets of topaz were worn. They, many times, had an image engraved upon them.
Facts and Folklore
Topaz is one of the natural gemstones mined in the United States. Others include agate, beryl, coral, diamond, garnet, jade, jasper, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, tourmaline, turquoise, and many others. Six U.S. states, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, California, Montana, and Maine, account for 71% of gem production in America. (Minerals Commodity Summaries 2025 published by U.S. Geological Survey).
The topaz has perfect cleavage in one direction, meaning it can split cleanly if struck at the wrong angle. This is something cutters and jewelers have to handle carefully!
The origin of the name of this gem is debated. It possibly came from the Sanskrit word for "fire" or an ancient Red Sea island once called Topazios.
A topaz was included as one of the gems among the crown jewels of Portugal. It is a magnificent yellow stone weighing 340 grams!
The topaz gem was frequently associated with strength, confidence, abundance, and good fortune. It was also linked to loyalty, faithfulness and friendship.
This gemstone, at one time, was believed to cure lunacy.
"A topaze (topaz) healeth the lunaticke person of his passion of lunacie" (On Superstitions Connected with the History and Practice of Medicine and Surgery, page 70).
Wearing a topaz with the image of a falcon engraved on it was said to bring goodwill from kings and princes. It was also thought to stop the discharge of fluid from eyes that were diseased (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 133, 312).