Thematic Bible: On the stones set in the priest's breastplate


Thematic Bible



And you shall take two onyx or beryl stones and engrave on them the names of the twelve sons of Israel; Six of their names on one stone and the six names of the rest on the other stone, arranged in order of their birth. With the work of a stone engraver, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel. You shall have them set in sockets or rosettes of gold.

The [engraved] stones shall be twelve, according to the names of [the twelve tribes of] the sons of Israel; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes.

“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’

And [Bezalel] made the breastplate skillfully, like the work of the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet [stuff], and fine twined linen. The breastplate was a [hand's] span square when doubled over. And they set in it four rows of stones; a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle made the first row; read more.
The second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; The third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; And the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they were enclosed in settings of gold filigree. There were twelve stones with their names according to those of the sons of Israel, engraved like a signet, each with its name, according to the twelve tribes.