Sardius in the first row of the breastplate is the first, red stone, which in the Hebrew text is called “odem.” In the Synodal translation it is rendered as “ruby,” yet the name “sardius” comes mainly from the ancient Greek translation tradition and does not necessarily mean the modern mineralogical ruby.
The first stone of the first row
In the book of Exodus, the high priest Aaron was commanded to wear the breastplate of judgment with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and the first stone in the first row is named as a stone that Ukrainian translations may render as carnelian, sardius, or ruby.
“And you shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: the first row shall be sardius, topaz, and emerald—this shall be the first row.” Exod. 28:17
Therefore, if one reads the Russian Synodal translation, where it says “ruby,” it is this stone that corresponds to sardius: the first stone of the first row, not topaz and not emerald.
The Hebrew word “odem” and the name “sardius”
In the original Hebrew text, the word אֹדֶם, “odem,” is used, related to the word “red,” so the main characteristic of this precious stone was its red or reddish-brown color. The ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, renders it as sardion, from which come the names “sardius,” “sard,” and partly “carnelian.” Because ancient names for stones described primarily color, luster, place of origin, or appearance rather than modern chemical composition, it is impossible to identify the biblical odem with today’s ruby with absolute precision. Most likely, it was a valuable red stone—possibly carnelian, red chalcedony, sardonyx, or another variety of stone that ancient translators associated with sardius.
Why the translations differ
The word “ruby” in older translations should not automatically be understood as the transparent red corundum that modern gemology defines as ruby. Translators often chose a familiar name for a precious red stone, while other translations tried to preserve the ancient name “sardius” or render it as “carnelian.” Therefore, the correct short answer is this: sardius is the “ruby” in the wording of the Synodal translation, that is, the first stone of the first row of the breastplate; more precisely, it may be called the red stone, “odem.” The breastplate itself reminded Israel that the high priest represented God’s people before the Lord, for the names of the sons of Israel were engraved on the stones.
Sardius in other biblical images
The name of the sardius stone also appears in the figurative description of the glory and beauty given by God in the prophecy concerning the king of Tyre.
“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald, and gold…” Ezek. 28:13
In the book of Revelation, the sardius hue is connected with the majestic picture of God’s throne.
“And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” Rev. 4:3
At the same time, one should not repeat the common inaccuracy that sardius is the first stone of the foundations of the New Jerusalem: in that list it stands sixth.
“The sixth was sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” Rev. 21:20
Conclusion and practical application
Thus, in Exodus 28:17 sardius corresponds to the first stone, called ruby in the Synodal translation, while the Hebrew “odem” is most reliably explained as a red precious stone without excessive attachment to modern classification. Practically, this teaches us to read biblical lists of stones carefully: compare translations, take ancient languages into account, and do not build important doctrines on uncertain mineralogical identifications, but instead see the main truth of the passage—God values His people and desires that service to Him be holy, beautiful, and responsible.
