breastpieceחֹשֶׁן
choshen · Hebrew Noun
A crucial part of the High Priest's vestments, worn over the heart. It served as a symbolic instrument for seeking divine direction and represented the burden of leadership and the responsibility of seeking God's will for the nation.
judgmentמִשְׁפָּט
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the divine authority and discernment provided by God for the leader to make righteous decisions. It suggests that the judgment rendered by the priest is aligned with God's justice and law.
spanזֶרֶת
zereth · Hebrew Noun
A unit of measurement equivalent to the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is stretched out, approximately nine inches. In the context of the sanctuary, it indicates precise, divinely ordained dimensions.
sardiusאֹדֶם
odem · Hebrew Noun
The precious stone occupying the first position on the breastpiece; often associated with the color red and representing the first tribe of Israel (Reuben). It symbolizes the value God places on His people and their place in His presence.
topazפִּטְדָה
pitdah · Hebrew Noun
A precious stone of yellowish-gold hue. Used in scripture to represent beauty, value, and divine light, serving as a reminder of the precious nature of the tribes before God.
carbuncleבָּרֶקֶת
bareqeth · Hebrew Noun
A brilliant, deep red stone, often associated with fire or lightning. It speaks to the holiness and consuming presence of God in whose presence the high priest stands.
emeraldנֹפֶךְ
nopek · Hebrew Noun
A bright green precious stone. It reflects God's life-giving power and beauty, representing the vitality of the covenant relationship.
sapphireסַפִּיר
sappir · Hebrew Noun
A precious blue stone, often associated with the pavement under God's throne in heaven. It symbolizes the heavenly, divine nature of the law and God's covenantal faithfulness.
diamondיָהֲלֹם
yahalom · Hebrew Noun
A stone of extreme hardness and brilliance. It represents enduring strength and the unchangeable, precious character of God's covenant with His people.
jacinthלֶשֶׁם
leshem · Hebrew Noun
A stone of distinct color, historically identified with hyacinth or orange-red tones. It illustrates the diversity and beauty of the tribes held together by the high priest's intercession.
agateשְׁבוֹ
shebo · Hebrew Noun
A translucent stone known for its layers or stripes. It symbolizes the complexity and multi-faceted nature of the people of God, all unified under His holiness.
amethystאַחְלָמָה
achlamah · Hebrew Noun
A precious stone known for its purple hue. Purple is historically associated with royalty, suggesting the high calling and status of Israel as a kingdom of priests.
berylתַּרְשִׁישׁ
tarshish · Hebrew Noun
A stone often associated with a pale green or yellowish-green color. It reflects the beauty and splendor of the created order consecrated to God's service.
onyxשֹׁהַם
shoham · Hebrew Noun
A banded stone often used in jewelry. It signifies foundational strength and the endurance of the covenantal promises given to the tribes.
jasperיָשְׁפֵה
yashepheh · Hebrew Noun
A highly valued stone, often opaque and multicolored. As the final stone in the breastpiece, it represents the complete, multifaceted, and glorious presence of all the tribes before the Lord.
goldזָהָב
zahav · Hebrew Noun
The most precious metal in the tabernacle, representing divine purity, royalty, and the holiness of God. In this context, it secures the stones, symbolizing that God's grace and glory hold His people together.
sons of Israelבֵּן יִשְׂרָאֵל
ben Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers to the twelve sons of Jacob, representing the covenant people of God. The mention of their names on the breastpiece signifies that the High Priest carries the identity and concerns of all Israel before the Lord.
signetsחוֹתָם
chotham · Hebrew Noun
A personal seal used in the ancient Near East to mark documents or property, signifying ownership, authority, and authenticity. Being engraved 'like signets' indicates the importance and permanence of the tribes' status before God.
tribesשֵׁבֶט
shebet · Hebrew Noun
The primary organized social and political divisions of the nation of Israel, descending from the sons of Jacob. They represent the corporate body of God's people in covenant relationship with Him.
