The high priest's breastplate

Introduction

The pectoral worn by the high priest is a one-span square of fabric. 1 of blue, purple, crimson thread and fine twisted linen; it has four rows of three incised precious stones 2, each bearing the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Hebrew script from right to left) :

THE FIRST RANGE: sardony, topaz and emerald ;
THE SECOND RANGE: carbuncle, sapphire and diamond; ;
THE THIRD ROW: amethyst, agate and opal ;
THE FOURTH ROW: chrysolite, onyx and jasper.

The translation of gemstone names is not absolutely certain as, since biblical times, some stones have been given other names which may vary according to the different biblical versions.

All stones were set in pure gold. The Urim and Thumin «lights and perfections» were probably inside the pectoral, folded in on itself to form a pocket. The Urim and Thumin «lights and perfections» seem to have functioned only in the period of the First Temple. This procedure would have been used only for matters that involved the existence of the nation of Israel (according to a very ancient tradition).

1 – The measure indicated by the Scriptures is the empan: the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger, when the hand is open, about 24 cm.
2 – seal incision: the stones are engraved like the precious seals of kings and notables, well known in archaeology.

To view the gemstones representing the tribes of Israel, click on the image below