AQUAMARINE (beryl) – Boldness

Aquamarine is the 10th gemstone of the Priestly Breastplate and it gets its name from the Latin “aqua marina” which means “seawater.” It references the similarity of the gemstone’s color and clarity to that of the ocean. It was found in tombs and burial pits in ancient Egypt and Samaria and was popular in the time of the Hebrew captivity in Egypt. According to 17th century Rabbi Eliyahu Hacohen’s Midrash (an ancient commentary on part of the Hebrew Scriptures, attached to the biblical text), the aquamarine was considered a stone of courage, boldness, and victory; believing the stone had attributes of calm, and quietness. Ancient folklore teaches that warriors carried this stone into battle believing it could help the wearer stay calm in tense situations. The reason I find this fascinating is due to the history of the tribe of Zebulun, whom the aquamarine or beryl as the bible calls it, is assigned to.

Zebulun was the tenth son of Jacob and this tribe was a tribe of sailors. What? How can this be? A sailor in the desert? We find this prophecy in Genesis 49:13 in Jacob’s final blessings before his death. He says,

”Zebulun shall dwell toward the seashore, and he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon.”

Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy:

“And of Zebulun, he (Moses) said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents. They shall call peoples to their mountain; there they offer right sacrifices; for they draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.” Deuteronomy 33:18-19

In the New Testament book of Matthew, the writer adds to this maritime mystery when he wrote:

Leaving Nazareth, he (Jesus) went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake (Sea of Galilee) in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,…Matthew 4:13-15

Jewish tradition also supports the implication that Zebulun was a maritime tribe and describes Zebulun’s banner as a ship on a white background. Also, there is an apocryphal book (Dead Sea Scrolls) titled The Testament of Zebulun, which is what Zebulun said to his children and grandchildren before he died. The testament tells how he became a sailor and was a fisherman by summer and a shepherd by winter. Other Rabbinic legends tell about members of Zebulun who were successful seamen and brought income to Issachar in order for Issachar to stay home, study the Torah and be great teachers, lawyers, and diplomats. With this history, it now makes sense as to why Aquamarine is included in the priestly breastplate and why it is associated with boldness. Sailors have long been associated with boldness and courage. They would have to be, in order to risk their lives at sea.

• “Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9