Chrysoprasus
LocationsGeographical Setting
Chrysoprasus was an ancient port city situated on the western coast of Asia Minor, near the island of Chios.
What is the meaning of Chrysoprasus in the Bible?
Chrysoprasus is a variety of chalcedony, a green gemstone mentioned in ancient texts and used in jewelry during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Chrysoprasus as a specific geographical location in Ionia clarifies the historical context of the early Christian communities addressed in the New Testament, grounding the spiritual exhortations in the reality of ancient trade routes and urban centers.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Chrysoprasus (located near modern Çeşme, Turkey) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Chrysoprasus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Chrysoprasus clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Chrysoprasus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/chrysoprasus/