Breastplate of the High Priest
Description and Construction
The breastplate of the high priest, more accurately translated as a 'pouch' or 'breastpiece,' was one of the most elaborate and symbolic items of the priestly garments described in Exodus. It measured approximately nine inches square (a span by a span) and was made of the same luxurious materials as the ephod: gold thread, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen (Exodus 28:15-16). The fabric was doubled over to form a pouch or pocket, which held the Urim and Thummim, the sacred objects used for seeking God's will.
The breastpiece was attached to the ephod by gold chains running from its upper corners to gold settings on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, and by blue cords connecting its lower rings to the ephod's waistband (Exodus 28:22-28). This careful attachment ensured the breastpiece stayed securely in place over the high priest's heart during his service in the tabernacle.
The Twelve Precious Stones
The most striking feature of the breastpiece was its twelve precious stones, arranged in four rows of three. Each stone was set in a gold mounting and engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:17-21). The stones listed in the Hebrew text are:
- Row 1: Sardius (ruby), topaz, and emerald (or carbuncle)
- Row 2: Turquoise, sapphire, and diamond (or jasper)
- Row 3: Jacinth, agate, and amethyst
- Row 4: Beryl, onyx, and jasper
The exact identification of several of these stones remains debated among scholars, as ancient gemstone terminology does not always correspond precisely to modern mineralogical classifications. What is clear, however, is that these were precious and beautiful stones, each one unique, together representing the full community of God's people.
The Breastpiece as Memorial
The breastpiece served a deeply symbolic function. When the high priest entered the Holy Place, he carried the names of all twelve tribes over his heart 'as a memorial before the LORD' (Exodus 28:29). This was not merely decorative but representational: the high priest literally bore the people of Israel into God's presence. Each tribe, regardless of size or significance, was represented by a precious stone and brought before God.
The phrase 'for a memorial' indicates that the breastpiece served to bring Israel continually to God's attention, not because God might forget His people, but as a ritual expression of the covenant relationship. The high priest, standing between God and the people, carried them symbolically on his person.
The Urim and Thummim
Inside the doubled fabric of the breastpiece rested the Urim and Thummim, whose name means something like 'lights and perfections' or 'revelation and truth' (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8). These objects were used to determine God's will in important decisions affecting the nation. Though their exact nature is uncertain, they were most likely sacred lots, possibly marked stones, that could give a yes-or-no answer to specific questions posed to God.
A probable example of their use appears in 1 Samuel 14:41, where Saul sought to identify guilt between himself and Jonathan on one side and the people on the other. The decision fell by lot, pointing to Jonathan. Other references to inquiring of the LORD through the priestly ephod and breastpiece include David's frequent consultations during his years as a fugitive (1 Samuel 23:9-12; 30:7-8).
The full designation of the breastpiece was 'the breastpiece of judgment' or 'decision,' reflecting its role as the instrument through which God's verdict was communicated (Exodus 28:15, 30). After the Babylonian exile, the Urim and Thummim were lost, and certain matters were deferred until a priest could consult them again (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65), a situation that apparently never arose.
Symbolic and Theological Significance
The breastpiece beautifully illustrates several theological truths. The twelve unique stones, each bearing a tribal name, demonstrate that God values His people individually while also seeing them as a unified whole. The placement over the heart shows that intercession is a matter of love and deep concern, not merely ritual duty. The Urim and Thummim within the pouch demonstrate that divine guidance was accessible through the priesthood, though always at God's initiative rather than human manipulation.
The New Testament book of Revelation echoes the breastpiece imagery when describing the foundations of the New Jerusalem, which are adorned with twelve precious stones (Revelation 21:19-20). This connection suggests that the priestly breastpiece foreshadowed the eternal dwelling of God with His people, where the separation between God and humanity that required priestly mediation is finally overcome.
Biblical Context
The breastpiece is described primarily in Exodus 28:15-30 and 39:8-21, with the Urim and Thummim mentioned in Leviticus 8:8. Its use for seeking divine guidance appears in 1 Samuel 14:41 and 23:9-12. The loss of the Urim and Thummim is noted in Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65. The materials for the breastpiece are listed among the offerings gathered in Exodus 25:7 and 35:9, 27. Related imagery appears in Revelation 21:19-20.
Theological Significance
The breastpiece symbolizes the intercessory role of the priesthood, carrying the people of God into the divine presence. Each tribe represented by a unique precious stone shows God's individual care within corporate covenant. The Urim and Thummim demonstrate that God provided a means for His people to know His will. The breastpiece anticipates the ultimate high priest, Jesus Christ, who bears His people on His heart before the Father (Hebrews 7:25) and who is Himself the full revelation of God's will, making the Urim and Thummim obsolete.
Historical Background
Priestly breastpieces and pectoral ornaments were known across the ancient Near East. Egyptian high priests wore jeweled pectorals, and Mesopotamian priests bore sacred objects for divination. The use of sacred lots for decision-making was widespread in antiquity, with parallels in Babylonian, Hittite, and Greek oracular practices. The specific stones in the breastpiece likely came from trade networks spanning Egypt, Arabia, and possibly India. After the exile, the loss of the Urim and Thummim marked a significant shift in how Israel understood divine guidance, eventually replaced by the study of Torah and prophetic tradition.