Were adorned (κεκοσμημενο). Perfect passive participle of κοσμεω as in verse Revelation 21:2, but without the copula ησαν (were), followed by instrumental case λιθω (stone).

With all manner of precious stones (παντ λιθω τιμιω). "With every precious stone." The list of the twelve stones in verses Revelation 21:19; Revelation 21:20 has no necessary mystical meaning. "The writer is simply trying to convey the impression of a radiant and superb structure" (Moffatt). The twelve gems do correspond closely (only eight in common) with the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20; Exodus 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13; Isaiah 54:11). Charles identifies them with the signs of zodiac in reverse order, a needless performance here. See the stones in Revelation 4:3. These foundation stones are visible. For jasper (ιασπις) see Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:11; Revelation 21:18; Isaiah 54:12; sapphire (σαπφειρος) see Exodus 24:10; Isaiah 54:11 (possibly the λαπις λαζυλ of Turkestan); chalcedony (χαλκηδων) we have no other reference in N.T. or LXX (described by Pliny, H.N. XXXIII.21), possibly a green silicate of copper from near Chalcedon; emerald (σμαραγδος) here only in N.T., see Revelation 4:3 σμαραγδινος, and like it a green stone.

Rev 21:20

Sardonyx (σαρδονυξ), here only in N.T., white with layers of red, from sardion (red carnelian) and onyx (white); for sardius (σαρδιον) see Revelation 4:3; chrysolite (χρυσολιθος), here only in N.T. (Exodus 28:20), stone of a golden colour like our topaz or amber or a yellow beryl or golden jasper; beryl (βηρυλλος), again here only in N.T. (Exodus 28:20), note the difficulty of identification, much like the emerald according to Pliny; for topaz (τοπαζιον), here only in N.T. (Exodus 28:17), a golden-greenish stolle; chrysoprase (chrusoprasos), here only in N.T. (not in LXX), in colour like a teek, translucent golden-green; jacinth (υακινθος), of the colour of the hyacinth, a violet colour (Pliny), already in Revelation 9:17 like blue smoke, like achates in LXX; amethyst (αμεθυστος), only here in N.T. (Exodus 28:19), of a violet and purple colour, more brilliant than the υακινθος. Swete sums up the colours thus: blue (sapphire, jacinth, amethyst), green (jasper, chalcedony, emerald, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase), red (sardonyx, sardius), yellow (chrysolite). But even so there is great variety in hue and brilliancy and in the reaction on each other. Clement of Alexandria argues that this variety illustrates the variety of gifts and graces in the twelve apostles. Possibly so.