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High Priest's Breastplate
The Torah describes the High Priest of Israel as wearing a breastplate inlaid with crystals
Exodus 28
15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with
cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold,
of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt
thou make it.
16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four
rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a
carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children
of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a
signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve
tribes.
22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou
shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of
the ephod before it.
26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt
put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof,
which is in the side of the ephod inward.
27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt
put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart
thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious
girdle of the ephod.
28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings
thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be
above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not
loosed from the ephod.
29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of
Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in
unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Different translations of the Torah give different names to the crystals. Mirach's research has come to the following conlusion:
The 12 crystals were engraved with the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel:
The relationship between the Tribes and angels and archangels can be seen here>>.
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