Lexical Summary choshen: Breastpiece, Breastplate Original Word: חשֶׁן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance breastplate From an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest -- breastplate. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition breastpiece, sacred pouch NASB Translation breastpiece (25). Brown-Driver-Briggs ח֫שֶׁן noun masculine the breast-piece or sacred pouch, containing the אורים ותמים, worn on the breast of the high priest when he ministered in the Holy Place to bring the tribes for memorial. before ׳י. It was made of the same material as the ephod (see אֵפוֺד), a span square; set in front with twelve jewels in four rows, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes. It was firmly fastened to the shoulders of the ephod by gold chains passing through gold rings, and to the lower part of the ephod just above the girdle by a blue ribbon passing through other gold rings. It was חשֶׁן (ה)מִשְׁמָּט ( Exodus 28:15,29,30) pouch of judgment, because of the decision given by the אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים. The name occurs only in P, Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:4,15,22,23 (twice in verse); Exodus 28:24,26,28 (twice in verse); Exodus 28:29,30; Exodus 29:5; Exodus 35:9,27; Exodus 39:8,9,15,16,17,19,21 (twice in verse); Leviticus 8:8 (twice in verse). — See NowArchaeology ii. 119. Topical Lexicon Designation and Purpose The חֹשֶׁן is the ornate “breastpiece of judgment” worn solely by the Aaronic high priest. It functioned as an emblem of memorial, a housing for the Urim and Thummim, and a visual proclamation that Israel’s tribes were ever in covenant before the LORD. Construction and Materials Exodus 28:15–20 describes a square pouch, doubled to a span, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn with fine linen. Twelve gemstones—four rows of three—were mounted in gold filigree, each stone engraved with a tribal name. Gold chains joined upper rings of the breastpiece to the shoulder stones of the ephod, while blue cords fastened lower rings, “so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod” (Exodus 28:28). Placement and Liturgical Use Positioned over the high priest’s heart, the breastpiece united beauty with intercession: “Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart… as a continual memorial before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29). Into this pouch Moses placed “the Urim and the Thummim” (Exodus 28:30), equipping the high priest to seek divine verdicts for the nation. Canonical Occurrences All twenty-five appearances are concentrated in the priestly narratives: Exodus 25:7; 28:4, 15, 22-30; 29:5; 35:9, 27; 39:8-21; and Leviticus 8:8 (twice). Each reference either commands, details, or records the breastpiece’s construction and use, underscoring its singular role in Israel’s worship. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Memorial—Twelve engraved names symbolize corporate solidarity; the high priest enters the sanctuary representing every tribe. Christological Fulfillment Hebrews presents Jesus Christ as the consummate High Priest who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25). The breastpiece typifies: Practical Application Believers, now “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), are called to: Related Concepts Ephod (Exodus 28:6–14); Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30); High-Priestly ministry of Christ (Hebrews 8–10). Forms and Transliterations בְּחֹ֧שֶׁן בחשן הַ֠חֹשֶׁן הַחֹ֑שֶׁן הַחֹ֔שֶׁן הַחֹ֛שֶׁן הַחֹ֡שֶׁן הַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ החשן החשן׃ וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ ולחשן׃ חֹ֣שֶׁן חֹ֤שֶׁן חשן bə·ḥō·šen beChoshen bəḥōšen Choshen ha·ḥō·šen haChoshen haḥōšen ḥō·šen ḥōšen velaChoshen wə·la·ḥō·šen wəlaḥōšenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:7 HEB: מִלֻּאִ֑ים לָאֵפֹ֖ד וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ NAS: for the ephod and for the breastpiece. KJV: in the ephod, and in the breastplate. INT: and setting the ephod the breastpiece Exodus 28:4 Exodus 28:15 Exodus 28:22 Exodus 28:23 Exodus 28:23 Exodus 28:24 Exodus 28:26 Exodus 28:28 Exodus 28:28 Exodus 28:29 Exodus 28:30 Exodus 29:5 Exodus 35:9 Exodus 35:27 Exodus 39:8 Exodus 39:9 Exodus 39:15 Exodus 39:16 Exodus 39:17 Exodus 39:19 Exodus 39:21 Exodus 39:21 Leviticus 8:8 Leviticus 8:8 25 Occurrences |
    |