Carbuncle

The carbuncle is one of the precious stones in the Bible, and its first appearance is on the high priest’s breastplate. Moses is told to set “four rows of stones,” and the first row is “a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle.” Exodus 39 reports the work being carried out just as it was commanded. Centuries later Isaiah uses the stone in a promise to a troubled city: “I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles.” The same gem appears in a priest’s clothing and in a picture of restored beauty. See Exodus 28:17.

3 verses

Exodus

Exodus 28:17

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

Exodus 39:10

And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.

Isaiah

Isaiah 54:12

And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

(Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13). Heb. barkath; LXX. smaragdos; Vulgate, smaragdus; Revised Version, marg., “emerald.” The Hebrew word is from a root meaning “to glitter,” “lighten,” “flash.” When held up to the sun, this gem shines like a burning coal, a dark-red glowing coal, and hence is called “carbunculus”, i.e., a little coal. It was one of the jewels in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate. It has been conjectured by some that the garnet is meant. In Isa. 54:12 the Hebrew word is ’ekdah, used in the prophetic description of the glory and beauty of the mansions above. Next to the diamond it is the hardest and most costly of all precious stones.

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From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

This word represents two Hebrew words. The first may he a general term to denote any bright,sparkling gem , (Isaiah 54:12) the second, (Exodus 28:17; 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13) is supposed to be and smaragdus or emerald.