“You shall make the breastplate of judgment… And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones… And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes…So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Isael on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:15-30).

The High Priest wore a breastplate. It measured a span by a span or about 9″ x 9″ (Exodus 28:16). It is referred to as “the breastplate of judgment” (Exodus 28:15, 19, 30). One commentator suggested, “(It) was apparently given this name because of the presence in the ‘pouch’ of the breastplate of the Urim and Thummim, by which God’s judgments in certain matters were given to the children of Israel.” (James Burton Coffman, Exodus, p. 395).

Twelve precious stones were arranged in four rows on the breastplate. The NKJV lists these stones as: sardius, topaz, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, diamond, jacinth, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx and jasper. The exact identity of some of these stones in uncertain.

On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes. This was worn on the breastplate of the High Priest over his heart (Exodus 28:29, 30).

Furthermore, the ephod (vestment) which was worn by the High Priest also contained the names of the twelve tribes. Two onyx stones in settings of gold were placed on the shoulders. Six names were engraved on each stone in order of the birth of Israel’s sons (Exodus 28:5-14). “So Aaron shall bear the names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial” (Exodus 28:12). He was to remember all twelve tribes in his work.

Application

First, we have a High Priest (Hebrews 8:1-2). He knows us. [He knew Nathanael (John 1:47-48). He knew the woman at the well (John 4:16-17, 29). He called Zacchaeus by name (Luke 19:1-5).] He knows His sheep (John 10:14). He always lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Second, while Christians are not High Priests, we are priests before God (1 Peter 2:5). We are to pray for one another (Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Hebrews 13:18; James 5:16). Let us keep the names of our brethren near our hearts and lifted up before God in prayer. Elders, deacons, preachers and teachers let us keep the names of our brethren on our hearts.