Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:19

What does Revelation 21:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:19 means

The city’s wall foundations are adorned with varied precious stones—beginning with jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, and emerald. The diversity of gems conveys manifold beauty, stability, and costly craftsmanship. These stones, known for strength and brilliance, suggest that the city’s very base is both unshakeable and glorious. The adornment of foundations indicates that what supports the community of the redeemed is not bare utility but splendor fit for God’s presence. God’s work is thorough: even the unseen or structural parts are arrayed with glory, testifying that holiness and beauty meet at every level.

Revelation 21:19 in context

Revelation 21 — A New Heaven and a New Earth

John's final vision. The first heaven and earth pass away, and the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God himself dwells with his people; he wipes away every tear; there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are passed away. The light of the city is the glory of God; its lamp is the Lamb. The story that began in the garden of Genesis ends in the city of Revelation, and the gates are never shut.

  • New creation
  • God dwelling with man
  • End of death and sorrow
  • Eternal worship

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The bases of the wall of the town had ornaments of all sorts of beautiful stones. The first base was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the foundations of the wall of the city with every precious stone have been adorned; the first foundation jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper: the second, sapphire: the third; a chalcedony: the fourth, an emerald:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

the foundations of the wall of the city [were] adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Context

This verse starts a detailed catalog of twelve foundation gems that continues in verse 20. The list echoes biblical symbolism of precious stones used in worship and representation, without pressing one-to-one identifications. By lingering on the foundations, the text deepens the sense of permanence and value before moving to the gates and street in verse 21. The flow emphasizes that beauty is integral, not superficial, in God’s eternal city.

v.18And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.

v.19This passage

v.20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 54:11

    O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

  • Proverbs 3:15

    She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

  • Exodus 28:17

    And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row;

  • Job 28:16

    It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:19

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Revelation 21:19 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:19 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:19 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:19 teaches us about eternal worship

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