The Tribe of Levi

Stone: Sardius, Sardine

(red ) (Heb. odem ) the stone which occupied the first place in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate. (Exodus 28:27) The sard, which is probably the stone denoted by odem , is a superior variety of agate, sometimes called camelian, and has long been a favorite stone for the engraver’s art. Sardis differ in color: there is a bright-red variety, and perhaps the Hebrew odem from a root means "to be red," points to this kind.