AARONS BREASTPLATE
Described in Exodus is the Breastplate of Aaron, a sacred object worn by the High Priest of the Israelites in order to communicate with God. Worn over the Priest’s sacred vestments, it was attached by shoulder straps at the corners and contained twelve gemstones.
The first academic research of the Breastplate was carried out by Roman scholar Titus Flavius Josephus (c.37-100AD), who apart from having a fabulous name, studied the twelve gemstones of Aaron’s Breastplate, and compiled the first list of Birthstones based on his findings.
THE BREASTPLATE OF AARON
“It is to be square – a span long and a span wide – and folded double. Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be Carnelian, Chrysolite and Beryl; the second row shall be Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Emerald; the third row shall be Jacinth, Agate and Amethyst; the fourth row shall be Topaz, Onyx and Jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” Exodus 28:16-20
Used to communicate with God, the Breastplate was originally worn by Aaron, elder brother of Moses. It is also known as the Priestly Breastplate, or the Breastplate of Judgement. It contained the ‘Urim’ and ‘Thummim’, two stones used to determine God’s will.
Scholar Josephus realized that the number twelve has huge significance. From the twelve stones on the Breastplate, to the twelve gemstones mentioned in the Book of Revelation (c.69-96AD), to the number of the sons of Israel, to the signs of the Zodiac, and the months of the Roman calendar year.
There is unfortunately no agreement on what the gems in the Breastplate actually were, but the most comprehensive studies suggest that they may have been (1st row) Carnelian, Peridot and Emerald, (2nd row) Garnet, Lapis Lazuli and Quartz, (3rd row) Yellow Zircon, Banded Agate and Amethyst, (4th row) Citrine, Onyx and Green Jasper.
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