What do the 12 stones in the breastplate represent?
Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Hebrew Bible version, a different gemstone is listed for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Table of Contents
What are the 12 stones in the breastplate of the High Priest?
The authorized list is (1) red jasper (sardius), (2) citrine quartz (topaz), (3) emerald, (4) ruby (carbuncle), (5) lapis lazuli (sapphire), (6) rock crystal (diamond), (7) golden sapphire (ligure), (8) blue sapphire (agate), (9) amethyst, (10) yellow jasper (chrysolite), (11) golden beryl (onyx), (12) chrysoprase ( …
What did the High Priest wear on his chest?
The breastplate worn by the High Priest in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem is described in Exodus 28:15-30: 15 And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
What was engraved on the stones for the breastplate?
According to a rabbinic tradition, the names of the twelve tribes were engraved upon the stones with what is called in Hebrew: שמיר = shamir, which, according to Rashi, was a small, rare creature which could cut through the toughest surfaces, but according to Rabbi David Kimhi and Rabbi Jonah ibn Janah, was a stone …
What does 12 stones mean in the Bible?
Twelve Stones (twelve מצבות (matzevot) or standing stones) was a common form of marking a spectacular religious event in the days of Kingdom of Judah before the time of King Josiah (Deuteronomy 27:1–8).
What do stones symbolize in the Bible?
The words rock and stone, referring to the prime elements in ancient foundations, are used in the scriptures as metaphors signifying strength, steadiness, and durability.
What does the 12 stones represent?
What was the High Priest breastplate made of?
The fabric of the ephod and breastplate was made of blue, purple, scarlet, and gold threads woven into white linen. The final piece of clothing was the golden crown which was fastened with two blue ribbons, engraved with the words “Holiness to the Lord”.
What is the meaning of Urim and Thummim?
In the Hebrew Bible, the Urim (Hebrew: אוּרִים ʾŪrīm, “lights”) and the Thummim (Hebrew: תֻּמִּים Tummīm, meaning uncertain, possibly “perfections”) are elements of the hoshen, the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod. They are connected with divination in general, and cleromancy in particular.
What does the breastplate represent?
In the armor of a Roman soldier, the breastplate served as protection for some of the most important parts of the body. Underneath the breastplate is the heart, lungs and other organs necessary for life.
Why is it called a breastplate?
A “breastplate” or “breastpiece” was among the clothes of the Jewish High Priest. In the Bible, the word ‘breastplate’ is used figuratively to describe protecting oneself from unrighteousness (cf. Isaiah 59:17, Ephesians 6:14, etc.).
Why did Elijah use 12 stones?
Similarly, the prophet Elijah used twelve stones to build an altar (1 Kings 18:30–31). The stones were from a broken altar that had been built on Mount Carmel before the First Temple was erected. Upon the completion of the Temple, offerings on other altars became forbidden.
What does a stone symbolize in the Bible?
What is the rock that Jesus built his church on?
Actually, Jesus used one form of the word “rock” (petra) for the rock on which he would build his church, and another (petros) for Peter. According to George Abbott-Smith’s Greek lexicon, “petra” means “a mass of rock,” distinct from “petros” meaning “a detached stone or boulder.”
How did the Urim and Thummim work?
Considering the scholars’ conclusion that Urim essentially means “guilty” and Thummim essentially means “innocent”, this would imply that the purpose of the Urim and Thummim was an ordeal to confirm or refute suspected guilt; if the Urim was selected it meant guilt, while selection of the Thummim would mean innocence.
What kind of stones are Urim and Thummim?
“It consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old-fashioned spectacles.” Most accounts refer to them as clear, not opaque.
What was the main purpose of the high priest’s ephod?
It was not a garment in the ordinary sense, and its association with the sacred lots indicates that the ephod was used for divination. A similar vestment, made of linen, was worn by persons other than the high priest. Samuel wore the ephod when he served before the tabernacle at Shiloh (I Sam.
What are the 7 armour of God?
These pieces are described in Ephesians as follows: loins girt with truth (belt of truth), breastplate of righteousness, shoes with the preparation of the gospel of peace (peace), shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit/word of God.
How do you put on a breastplate?
The breastplate neckstrap should sit on the shoulder line, behind the neck. The base of the neckstrap should be positioned centrally at the lowest point of the neck and highest part of the chest. One hands width should fit between the top of the horse’s neck and the breastplate neckstrap.
What is another word for breastplate?
Synonyms for breastplate in English
cuirass; armour; breastplate; armor; aegis; egis.
What does Emerald symbolize in the Bible?
In the Christian tradition, an emerald symbolizes the resurrection, or a birth, into a new and purer life. When applied to Christ himself, emerald symbolizes his qualities of kindness and goodness. Emeralds are mentioned several times in the Bible.
Why is Jesus called rock?
Not only is Jesus a Rock, but his gospel also is likened to a rock, a sure foundation. To Peter, who had obtained a testimony of Jesus by the revelation of the Holy Ghost, Jesus said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18.)
What does Jesus mean by upon this rock I will build my church?
Jesus is saying that though He were rejected by the people, arrested, tried and found innocent and then crucified anyway, it would not stop him from building His church. The Jews did reject Christ and crucify Christ, but He arose, He did build His church.
What does Urim and Thummim symbolize?
In consequence, Urim and Thummim has traditionally been translated as “lights and perfections” (by Theodotion, for example), or, by taking the phrase allegorically, as meaning “revelation and truth”, or “doctrine and truth” (it appears in this form in the Vulgate, in the writing of St. Jerome, and in the Hexapla).
Where did the Urim and thummim come from?
The Old Testament first mentions the Urim and Thummim by name in Exodus 28:30, when Moses is instructed to give it to his brother Aaron.