Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Were adorned (kekosmhmenoi). Perfect passive participle of kosmew as in verse Revelation 21:2, but without the copula hsan (were), followed by instrumental case liqw (stone).
With all manner of precious stones (panti liqw timiw). "With every precious stone." The list of the twelve stones in verses Revelation 21:19-20 has no necessary mystical meaning. "The writer is simply trying to convey the impression of a radiant and superb structure" (Moffatt). The twelve gems do correspond closely (only eight in common) with the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20; Exodus 39:10 ff.; Ezekiel 28:13; Isaiah 54:11 f.). Charles identifies them with the signs of zodiac in reverse order, a needless performance here. See the stones in Revelation 4:3. These foundation stones are visible. For jasper (iaspiv) see Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:18; Isaiah 54:12; sapphire (sapfeirov) see Exodus 24:10;. Isaiah 54:11 (possibly the lapiv lazuli of Turkestan); chalcedony (xalkhdwn) we have no other reference in N.T. or LXX (described by Pliny, H.N. XXXIII.21), possibly a green silicate of copper from near Chalcedon; emerald (smaragdov) here only in N.T., see Revelation 4:3 smaragdinov, and like it a green stone.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Revelation 4:3
Revelation 17:4
Revelation 21:2
Revelation 21:19
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