1. kadkod, ἴασπις: from the root to strike fire, and hence a "sparkling gem, ruby" (Gesenius). "A shining, sparkling precious stone, probably a carbuncle, so called from its red sparkling color" (Furst). It occurs but twice: Isaiah. 54:12, "I will make thy windows of agates." This might be thought to signify that the agate was transparent, and that the windows were to be glazed with agates; but windows were not then glazed. Others translate the word minarets, pinnacles, battlements, and instead of agates many prefer rubies. The other passage is Ezekiel 27:1616 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate. (Ezekiel 27:16): Syria was thy merchant for coral, the agate, &c.; they came from Damascus. The Revised Version and others again translate “rubies” which well agrees with the signification of the word.
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2. shebo, ἀχάτης, achates, Vul., from to burn, to glow (Furst) . "A composite stone formed of quartz, chalcedony, cornelian, flint, jasper, &c. and therefore glittering with different colors" (Delitzsch). Bochart traces the word to a root signifying “to be spotted.” This gem has been described as a semipellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz; it is found in parallel or concentric layers of various colors, and presents different tints in the same specimen. It is generally translated “agate.” It was the stone chosen for the second place in the third row of the breastplate of the high priest (Exod. 28:1919 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. (Exodus 28:19); Exod. 39:1212 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. (Exodus 39:12)).
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