Thou wast in the pleasures of the paradise of God: every precious stone was thy covering: the sardius, the topaz, and the jasper, the chrysolite, and the onyx, and the beryl, the sapphire, and the carbuncle, and the emerald: gold the work of thy beauty: and thy pipes were prepared in the day that thou wast created.
בְּעֵ֨דֶן גַּן־אֱלֹהִ֜ים הָיִ֗יתָ כָּל־אֶ֨בֶן יְקָרָ֤ה מְסֻכָתֶ֙ךָ֙ אֹ֣דֶם פִּטְדָ֞ה וְיָהֲלֹ֗ם תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֙הַם֙ וְיָ֣שְׁפֵ֔ה סַפִּ֣יר נֹ֔פֶךְ וּבָרְקַ֖ת וְזָהָ֑ב מְלֶ֨אכֶת תֻּפֶּ֤יךָ וּנְקָבֶ֙יךָ֙ בָּ֔ךְ בְּי֥וֹם הִבָּרַאֲךָ֖ כּוֹנָֽנוּ׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Isaiah illustrates the adversary as the ruler of Babylon, proclaiming, "How hast thou fallen from heaven, O day-bearer, son of the dawn!" (Isaiah 14:12). Similarly, Ezekiel remarks, "Thou wast in Eden, in the garden of God; thy garments were adorned with all manner of precious stones" (Ezekiel 28:13). These passages clearly indicate that he was once sinless.
This can indeed be connected to the visible Prince of Tyre, in a manner that accurately reflects the destructive spirit that operated within him. Thus, in reference to this earthly Tyrian ruler, we comprehend it as follows: you are the seal of perfection, as humanity was created in God's likeness, imbued with wisdom and granted the capacity for eloquence. You are the pinnacle of goodness, surpassing all creatures devoid of voice, whether they walk, fly, dwell in water, or are amphibious. In the delightful paradise of God you resided, as you are descended from the forefather who was placed in the blissful garden immediately upon creation, to cultivate and safeguard it (Genesis 2:15).
Paradise is rightly associated with Jerusalem, deemed the holy and divine city, flourishing with God's creations, brimming with life and salvation, prophecy, and the high priesthood.
Historically, there existed a camaraderie between the king of Tyre and the king of Israel, characterized by mutual relationships. This is readily discernible in the Chronicles of the Kings. Moreover, it is also evident that ‘Thou hast adorned thyself with every precious stone,’ must be interpreted literally and pertains specifically to the king. I blessed you with countless gifts, and from every corner gathered diverse treasures to prepare for you crowns and diadems, earrings, belts, and rings, and filled your treasuries. Yet, amid such abundance and glory, you failed to maintain a righteous mindset.
However, let us approach the explanation concerning the devil differently, interpreting the phrase ‘You are the seal of likeness’ as referring to the authority and power originally bestowed upon him. The Apostle teaches: according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2). It is clear that in ages past he was entrusted with dominion over the air but, due to his pride, lost that authority. He now influences the faithless in opposition to the teachings of the Gospel. You were filled with wisdom, and you basked in the crown of goodness within paradise. This illustrates to us God's design in your former excellence. For it is written: God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). You too were among the created, having not yet taken on a willful decline towards evil.
The numbered stones symbolize God's wisdom and the harmonious assembly of various kinds. Just as the high priest entered the innermost sanctuary bearing the judgments etched upon those very stones, his fingers, as it were, represent the treasury of knowledge and the innermost being. All these characteristics, however, do not apply to the visible Prince of Tyre but rather to the unseen ruler. For it is written:
In this context, it is further stated that you have adorned yourself with every precious gem: ruby, topaz, jasper, chrysolite, onyx, beryl, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald. The mention of these nine stones aligns with the nine orders of angels. The first angel was presented in splendid dress to appear more glorious than the rest, elevated above all the heavenly hosts.
The same prophet continues to describe the majesty of his excellence: Every precious stone of your garments has been referenced as ruby, topaz, and diamond, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald. The enumeration of these nine gems clearly reflects the nine ranks of angels. The sacred text itself identifies the orders of Angels, Archangels, Initiates, Lordships, Powers, Authorities, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim, revealing the profound distinctions among the celestial beings. Yet, this Behemoth is depicted as adorned with them, as they served as embellishments for his garments, enhancing his radiance and beauty beyond measure.
Moreover, additional details illuminate this portrayal: your beauty was crafted in gold, and the settings were fashioned at the time of your creation. It is called golden work for it emanated the brilliance of the wisdom granted at creation. Holes were fashioned in the stones so that, when joined with gold, they would remain unified as an ornament, inseparable in their value and beauty. The gold, much like the binding agent in fine jewelry, would fill these holes, securing each gem. The preparations for these settings were made on the day of his creation because he was uniquely created to embody love. Had he chosen, he could have unified all angels just as the stones formed a royal ornament. With hearts filled with the gold of love, he could have secured the holy angels in harmony through him, solidifying each precious stone in the King’s adornment.
However, due to the sin of pride, these stones remained unfilled with love's gold. While the gems are fastened with gold to prevent them from falling, he himself fell, despite the oversight of the Creator, as he rejected the bond of love. In contrast, the remaining stones, for which holes were prepared, are now bound by mutual affection and, despite his fall, will never falter or detach from the King’s ornament.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS