King James Bible Dictionary

(Heb. peninim), only in plural (Lamentations 4:7). The ruby was one of the stones in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17). A comparison is made between the value of wisdom and rubies (Job 28:18; Proverbs 3:15; 8:11). The price of a virtuous woman is said to be "far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). The exact meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain. Some render it "red coral;" others, "pearl" or "mother-of-pearl."

Job 28:18; Proverbs 20:15; Proverbs 31:10; Lamentations 4:7

RU'BY, noun [Latin rubeo, to be red.]

1. A precious stone; a mineral of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red; but its parts vary in color, and hence it is called sapphire ruby or orange red, and by some vermeille or rubicel.

There are two kinds of ruby the oriental or corundum, and the spinelle. The latter is distinguishable from the former by its color and crystallization.

The ruby is next in hardness and value to the diamond, and highly esteemed in jewelry.

2. Redness; red color.

3. Any thing red.

4. A blain; a blotch; a carbuncle. [The ruby is said to be the stone called by Pliny a carbuncle.]

Ruby of arsenic or sulphur, is the realgar, or red combination of arsenic and sulphur.

Ruby of zink, is the red blend.

Rock ruby the amethystizontes of the ancients, is the most value species of garnet.

RU'BY, verb transitive To make red.

RU'BY, adjective Of the color of the ruby; red; as ruby lips.

A precious stone.

In the breastplate
Exodus 28:17; Exodus 39:10

In the garden of Eden
Ezekiel 28:13

Seen in John's apocalyptic vision of the foundation of the New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:20

Figurative
Revelation 4:3