Probably the same with the jacinth, a stone in the high priest's breastplate, Ex 28:19; 39:12, said to have been of a deep and brilliant red color, with a tinge of yellow, and transparent.

(Heb leshem) occurs only in Ex 28:19; 39:12, as the name of a stone in the third row on the high priest's breastplate. Some have supposed that this stone was the same as the jacinth (q.v.), others that it was the opal. There is now no mineral bearing this name. The "ligurite" is so named from Liguria in Italy, where it was found.

leshem Hebrew, the first in the third row of jewels on the high priest's breast-plate (Ex 28:19). Septuagint and Vulgate translated ligure, and as Theophrastus (de Lap. 29) and Pliny (H. N. 37:11) say amber came from Liguria, probably Septuagint and Vulgate understand by "ligure" amber. But Theophrastus distinguishes the lyncurium of Liguria from electron, "amber." Amber is too soft for engraving; but lyncurium was hard, and at the same time attracted light particles of wood, iron and brass. The red variety of tourmaline, the rubellite, which is electrically polar when heated, maybe meant. The jacinth also is electric.

leshem. The first in the third row of gems in the breastplate. It is supposed by some to be the hyacinth, by others the lyncurium, and by others amber; but its identification is uncertain. Ex 28:19; 39:12.

(Heb. leshem), a precious stone mentioned in

Ex 28:19; 39:12

as the first in the third row of the high priest's breastplate. It is impossible to say, with any certainty, what stone is denoted by the Hebrew term; but perhaps tourmaline, or more definitely the red variety known as rubellite, has better claims than any other mineral. Rubellite is a hard stone, and used as a gem, and is sometimes sold for red sapphire.

LIGURE, ???, Ex 28:19; 39:12, a precious stone of a deep red colour, with a considerable tinge of yellow. Theophrastus and Pliny describe it as resembling the carbuncle, of a brightness sparkling like fire.