Choshen, the breastplate, first worn by the High Priest Aaron, and subsequently worn by every High Priest in the Temple while performing holy duties. There were 12 precious stones in the Hoshen, as mentioned in Book of Exodus: Ruby, Garnet, Citrine, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sapphire, Peridot, Onyx, Emerald, Diamond, Amethyst, Aquamarine. Various Jewish sources teach us that in addition to representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, each stone has served as an expression of faith and optimism throughout the generations.
The Breastpiece - Exodus 28 |
15 "Fashion a breastpiece for making
decisions-the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of
gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16
It is to be square-a span [1]
long and a span wide-and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows
of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz
and a beryl; 18 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire [2]
and an emerald; 19 in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an
amethyst; 20 in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a
jasper. [3] Mount them in
gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one
for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal
with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
22 "For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold,
like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to
two corners of the breastpiece. 24 Fasten the two gold chains
to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 25 and the
other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the
shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold
rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the
inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and
attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the
ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 28
The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with
blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will
not swing out from the ephod.
29 "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the
names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision
as a continuing memorial before the Lord . 30 Also put the Urim
and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart
whenever he enters the presence of the Lord . Thus Aaron will always bear
the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the
Lord .
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