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The Religious Use of Various Stones: Reuben

The name Reuben signifies "Behold a Son," and this has been given a Messianic meaning by some commentators. In Jacob's enigmatic blessing, "excellency of dignity" and "excellency of power" are attributed to Reuben, but this birthright is taken from him because of a heinous sin he has committed. Still we might see in the carnelian, the gem of Reuben, a symbol of "dignity" and "power."

Simeon has been variously rendered "Hearing" or "Hearkener." The blessing accuses him of an act of cruelty in which he was aided by his brother Levi. To the peridot, or chrysolite, dedicated to Simeon, could be appropriately assigned the meaning "good tidings."

The priestly functions of the tribe of Levi are expressed by the name itself which means "attached" or "joined," that is, to the altar. Hence in the emerald we should see the symbol of "dedication" or "ministration," in addition to its other and better known meanings, such as "hope," "faith," and "resurrection."