Breastplate of Aaron

Breastplate of the High Priest Aaron

Early on, man has associated the use of precious and semi precious stones with divine worship. Valuable and rare gem stones have long been used for sacred purposes.

In the Old Testament Book of Exodus, there is a description of twelve sacred gem stones from the Mountain of God, where the Ten Commandments were presented to Moses. In Rabbinical writings, these are described as being sacred to twelve angels who guard the gates of Paradise. These twelve precious stones became a sacred breastplate which Moses gave to his brother, the high priest Aaron.

Exodus 28:15-30:

“And thou shall make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen shalt thou make it.

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a Sardius (this would be Carnelian), a Topaz, and a Carbuncle (thought to be Ruby, or possibly Red Spinel or Garnet); this shall be the first row.

And the second row shall be an Emerald, a Sapphire, and a Diamond.

And the third row a Ligure (thought to be either Zircon or Rubellite), an Agate, and an Amethyst.

And the fourth row a Beryl, and an Onyx, and a Jasper, they shall be set in gold in their enclosings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the end of wreathen work of pure gold

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in before the Lord; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually.”

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