Exodus 28:15-21 The Breastpiece of the High Priest

"Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions--

the work of a skilled craftsman.

Make it like the ephod: of gold,

and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn,

and of finely twisted linen.

It is to be square

 -- a span long and a span wide --

and folded double.

Then mount four rows of precious stones on it.

In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl;

in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald;

in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst;

in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a 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 28:15-21 (NIV)

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So far, the construction of the breastpiece is fairly straightforward.  It is made of materials identical to materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarns and finely twisted linen.  It is square and folded double.  Mounted upon it in gold filigree settings are twelve precious stones -- one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

[It should be noted that the precise identification of some of these stones is uncertain, so you may find some stones listed differently in other versions of the Bible.] However, the attention to detail and the use of gold filigree settings and precious stones engraved with the name of each tribe certainly indicate the great value and loving regard which God placed upon His people.