Breastplate of judgment

The breastplate of Judgment also known as the priestly breastplate was a sacred breastplate worn by the the High Priest for the Israelites, according to the Book of Exodus. In the biblical account, the breastplate is termed the breastplate of judgement, because the Urim and Thummim, by which the High Priest checked the will of God in any important matter that would affect the nation, were placed within it.

Description
The breastplace was a square gold frame with twelve jewels set in four rows. Each stone was engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. Into the breastpiece were put the Urim and Tummim ( meaning "lights and perfections") so that they could be upon Aaron's heart, when he entered before the Lord. In the book of Exodus we can read the description of the breastplace in two passages:

The 12 Jewels


Unfortunately, the meaning of the Hebrew names for the precious stones, given by Masoretic text, are not clear, and despite the names appearing in Septuagint be clearer, scholars believe that they can not be considered absolutely on this matter, because the breastplate had ceased to be in use by the time the Septuagint was written, and several Greek names for various gemstones changed meaning between the classical era and modern times.

First row

 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - both names mean red. Probably refers to Sard. Josephus says Sardonyx (Ant. iii, 7, 6). Odem might also refer to Carnelian, which was flesh-coloured, or to red Jasper.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint)  - The Septuagint mention the Topaz, but the gem can be the Chrysolite. Job said that wisdom is more valuable than the pètdah of Cush.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - It can be Heliodor. It also can be  Rock crystal or Emerald.

Second row

 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - It can be the Carbuncle (according to Vulgate), Malachite or Turquoise. Some mention the Emerald. But a red stone obviously is not an emerald. It can be either a Ruby or Garnet.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - despite appearing to refer to Sapphire it can be the hyacinth or of jacinth. Another candidate, described by Pliny, is Lapis lazuli (Ultramarine). According to Wycliffe Bible Commentary it is more likely to be the Lapis lazuli.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - A few scholars have suggested that Yahalom may refer to diamonds. Some believe the stone to be the Sardonyx. There is no evidence that diamond was known in ancient days.

Third row

 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - Pliny described the Ligurios as having certain electrical properties, which a number of scholars have taken to imply that it referred to Amber. Some believe that it was the Agate, others supposed that was the Jacinth and yet others believe that it was the Opal or Amethyst. According to Wycliffe Bible Commentary it was either Jacinth or Cairngorm.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - Achates surely refers to Agate. Named from the river Achates, Sicily first discovered by the Greeks. A red opaque stone.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - Amethystos refers to Amethyst.

Fourth row

 * (in the masoretic text) / or in other places  (meaning Coal) (in the Septuagint) - Tarshish is thought by scholars to refer to Tarshish. Chrysolithos could refer to Lapis lazuli or it could refer to Topaz, Amber or Beryl. Possibly yellow Jasper.


 * (in the masoretic text) / or in other places  (in the Septuagint) - Beryllios refers to Beryl but Onychion refers to Onyx. It can also be the Malachite according to some scholars.


 * (in the masoretic text) / (in the Septuagint) - The Septuagint's Onychion is the Greek term for Onyx, Onyx. The jewel is variously identified as a ruby, as a hyacinth or as an Emerald. According to Wycliffe Bible Commentary it can also be the green Jasper.