The first of the third row was a ligure (possibly orange zircon), then an amethyst, and the third an agate… the fourth row was a crysolite, the next was an onyx, and then a beryl.” The second row contained a carbuncle, a jasper and a sapphire. “The first three stones were a sardonyx, a topaz, and an emerald. “Twelve stones were there also upon the breastplate, extraordinary in largeness and beauty,” Josephus wrote. In the following passage, the gems are listed right to left. The breastplate was attached to the ephod (a sleeveless garment) by gold chains/cords tied to the gold rings on the ephod’s shoulder straps, and by blue ribbons tied to the gold rings at the lower parts of the ephod.įirst-century Jewish historian Josephus described Aaron’s breastplate in his book titled, Antiquities of the Jews. Set into the breastplate were a colorful array of precious stones inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes. His ceremonial costume consisted of a linen tunic spun with gold threads and a floor-length tasseled robe.
The inscribed gems - which included emerald, sapphire, amethyst and topaz - were arranged in four rows and set in gold.Īccording to The Book of Exodus, Aaron bore the responsibility of memorializing upon his two shoulders the names of the 12 tribes before the Lord. More than 3,300 years ago, the first high priest of the Hebrews (and older brother of Moses) dazzled his followers with a gleaming breastplate fashioned with gemstones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The biblical Aaron may have been the original King of Bling.
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