שמות, פרק כ״ח, פסוק י״ח

The second row of the Breastplate of Judgment features three unique gemstones whose exact identities have engaged scholars for generations. The true nature of the first stone in this row remains uncertain [ביאור שטיינזלץ, קאסוטו]. One approach suggests it is a green stone with dark hues, connecting its ancient name to a substance commonly used for eye makeup [נתינה לגר]. In contrast, other scholars believe it refers to a red gemstone or another precious stone familiar to the ancient world [חזקוני].

Among the three, only the second stone has a clear and universally accepted identity. It is a sky-blue gemstone, famously associated with ancient visions of heavenly blue brickwork [קאסוטו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Its name suggests a sparkling and shining quality, describing a gem that scatters sparks of light and sometimes appears to reflect a multitude of colors [נתינה לגר].

The final stone in the row presents another mystery, as it is uncertain whether it corresponds to the gemstone known today as a diamond [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, its ancient name is rooted in the concept of striking or breaking. This implies that it is an exceptionally hard stone, possessing the sheer physical strength to strike, break, and pierce through other rocks [נתינה לגר].