Exodus 39:10-13
Revelation of John 21:14
14. twelve foundations--Joshua, the type of Jesus, chose twelve men out of the people, to carry twelve stones over the Jordan with them, as Jesus chose twelve apostles to be the twelve foundations of the heavenly city, of which He is Himself the Chief corner-stone. Peter is not the only apostolic rock on whose preaching Christ builds His Church. Christ Himself is the true foundation: the twelve are foundations only in regard to their apostolic testimony concerning Him. Though Paul was an apostle besides the twelve, yet the mystical number is retained, twelve representing the Church, namely thirty the divine number, multiplied by four, the world number. in them the names, &c.--As architects often have their names inscribed on their great works, so the names of the apostles shall be held in everlasting remembrance. Vulgate reads, "in them." But A, B, Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas read, "upon them." These authorities also insert "twelve" before "names." Revelation of John 21:19-21
19. And--so Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas. But A, B, and Vulgate omit. Compare Re 21:14 with this verse; also Is 54:11. all manner of precious stones--Contrast Re 18:12 as to the harlot, Babylon. These precious stones constituted the "foundations." chalcedony--agate from Chalcedon: semi-opaque, sky-blue, with stripes of other colors [Alford]. 20. sardonyx--a gem having the redness of the cornelian, and the whiteness of the onyx. sardius--(See on Re 4:3). chrysolite--described by Pliny as transparent and of a golden brightness, like our topaz: different from our pale green crystallized chrysolite. beryl--of a sea-green color. topaz--Pliny [37.32], makes it green and transparent, like our chrysolite. chrysoprasus--somewhat pale, and having the purple color of the amethyst [Pliny, 37, 20, 21]. jacinth--The flashing violet brightness in the amethyst is diluted in the jacinth [Pliny, 37.41]. 21. every several--Greek, "each one severally."
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