The term "breastplate" in the Bible primarily refers to a piece of armor worn for protection in battle, as well as a sacred garment used in religious ceremonies. It appears in both the Old and New Testaments, serving distinct purposes in each context.

1. The Breastplate of the High Priest

In the Old Testament, the breastplate is most notably associated with the high priest of Israel. This sacred garment, known as the "breastplate of judgment," was an essential part of the high priest's attire, as described in the Book of Exodus. The breastplate was intricately designed and held great significance in the religious life of Israel.

· Design and Construction: The breastplate was made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen. It was square and folded double, measuring a span in length and width. It was adorned with twelve precious stones set in gold filigree, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The stones were arranged in four rows of three (Exodus 28:15-21).

· Purpose and Symbolism: The breastplate was worn over the ephod and was attached to it by gold chains and rings. It served as a memorial before the Lord, with the names of the tribes engraved on the stones. The high priest bore the names of the sons of Israel over his heart when he entered the Holy Place, symbolizing his role as an intercessor for the people (Exodus 28:29).

· The Urim and Thummim: The breastplate also contained the Urim and Thummim, mysterious objects used to discern God's will in certain situations. These were placed in the breastplate of judgment, further emphasizing its role in decision-making and divine guidance (Exodus 28:30).

2. The Breastplate in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of the breastplate is used metaphorically in the context of spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, employs the imagery of armor to describe the spiritual defenses available to believers.

· The Breastplate of Righteousness: In Ephesians 6:14, Paul exhorts believers to "stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place" . This metaphorical breastplate represents the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, serving as protection against the attacks of the enemy.

· The Breastplate of Faith and Love: In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul writes, "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation" . Here, the breastplate symbolizes the virtues of faith and love, essential for living a life pleasing to God and resisting spiritual darkness.

3. Symbolic and Theological Significance

The breastplate, both as a physical object and a metaphorical concept, holds deep theological significance. In the Old Testament, it underscores the role of the high priest as a mediator between God and His people, highlighting themes of intercession, divine guidance, and covenantal identity. In the New Testament, the breastplate imagery emphasizes the believer's need for spiritual protection and the transformative power of righteousness, faith, and love in the life of a Christian.

The breastplate, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision, protection, and the call to live a life of holiness and devotion.Breastplate

[ARMS, ARMOR]

Breastplate

A piece of embroidery, about ten inches square, Exodus 28:15-30, of very rich work, which the high priest wore on his breast. It was made of two pieces of the same rich embroidered stuff of which the ephod was made, having a front and a lining, and forming a kind of purse or bag, in which, according to the rabbins, the Urim and Thummim were enclosed. The front of it was set with twelve precious stones, on each of which was engraved the name of one of the tribes. They were placed in four rows, and divided from each other by the little golden squares or partitions in which they were set. At each corner was a gold ring answering to a ring upon the ephod, these four pairs of rings serving to hold the breastplate in its place on the front of the ephod, by means of four blue ribands, one at each corner.

(1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Ephesians 6:14 and Isaiah 59:17. (see ARMOUR.)

(2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Exodus 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes (Exodus 28:15-29; 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. The two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Exodus 28:28). The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial (28:29). It was also called the breastplate of judgment (28:15). (see PRIEST.)

1. (n.) A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.

2. (n.) A piece against which the workman presses his breast in operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.

3. (n.) A strap that runs across a horse's breast.

4. (n.) A part of the vestment of the high priest, worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. See Ephod.

BREASTPLATE OF THE HIGH PRIEST

prest: The Hebrew word choshen, rendered in the King James Version "breastplate," means really a "pouch" or "bag." The references to it are found exclusively in the Priestly Code (Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28; Exodus 28 29:5; Exodus 28 35:9, 27 Leviticus 8:8). The descriptions of its composition and particularly the directions with regard to wearing it are exceedingly obscure. According to Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65 the Urim and Thummim, which were called in the priestly pouch, were lost during the Babylonian exile. The actual pouch was a "span in length and a span in breadth," i.e. about 9 inch square. It was made, like the ephod, of "gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen" (Exodus 28:15 f). In it were twelve precious stones, in rows of four, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Apparently the pouch had two rings (perhaps four) through which passed two gold chains by which it was fastened to the ephod supplied for the purpose with ouches or clasps. The pouch was worn by the high priest over his heart when he entered the "holy place" "for a memorial before Yahweh." The presence of the high priest, the representative of the people, with the names of the separate tribes on his person, brought each tribe before the notice of Yahweh and thereby directed His attention to them. The full designation was choshen mishpaT, "pouch of judgment" or "decision." It was the distinctive symbol of the priest in his capacity as the giver of oracles. As already suggested the priestly pouch contained the Urim and Thummim which were probably precious stones used as lots in giving decisions. In all probability the restored text of 1 Samuel 14:41 preserves the true custom. On one side stood Saul and Jonathan, and the people on the other side. If the result was Urim, Saul and Jonathan would be the guilty parties. If the result was Thummim, the guilt would fasten on the people.

T. Lewis

BREASTPLATE

brest'-plat.

See ARMOR.

2382. thorax -- a breastplate
... a breastplate. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: thorax Phonetic
Spelling: (tho'-rax) Short Definition: a breast-plate Definition: a breast-plate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2382.htm - 7k224. Urim -- part of the high priest's breastplate
... 223b, 224. Urim. 225 . part of the high priest's breastplate. Transliteration:
Urim Phonetic Spelling: (oo-reem') Short Definition: Urim. Word Origin pl. ...
/hebrew/224.htm - 6k

8537. tom -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high ...
... tom. 8538 . completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate.
Transliteration: tom Phonetic Spelling: (tome) Short Definition: integrity. ...
/hebrew/8537.htm - 6k

8302. shiryon -- body armor
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition body armor NASB Word Usage armor
(3), body armor (1), breastplate (1), breastplates (1). ...
/hebrew/8302.htm - 6k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition breastpiece, sacred pouch NASB
Word Usage breastpiece (25). breastplate. From an unused ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

8550. Tummim -- Thummim
... Thummim. Plural of tom; perfections, ie (techn.) One of the epithets of the objects
in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete Truth -- Thummim. ...
/hebrew/8550.htm - 6k

'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... EPHESIANS 'THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS'. 'Having put on the breastplate
of righteousness.'"Ephesians 6:14. There can be no ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm

The Names on Aaron's Breastplate
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE NAMES ON AARON'S BREASTPLATE. Aaron shall bear their names
before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the names on aarons breastplate.htm

That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
... Hence by the divine voice it is enjoined (Exodus 28:15), that on the breast of Aaron
the breastplate [1268] of judgment should be closely pressed by binding ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ii that the ruler.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... was inserted a piece of the bigness of a span, embroidered with gold, and the other
colors of the ephod, and was called Essen, [the breastplate,] which in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

The Shield of Faith
... Perhaps with some allusion to the fact that the shield protected the breastplate,
as well as the breastplate protected the man, there may be a reference to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the shield of faith.htm

Ephesians vi. 14-17
... Homily XXIV. Ephesians vi. 14-17. Ephesians vi.14-17 "Stand therefore, having girded
your loins with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and ...
/.../homily xxiv ephesians vi 14-17.htm

Introduction.
... Furthermore, they are compared with the twelve stones in the High Priest's breastplate,
and their inseparability is shown by a new distribution of them. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... vast bulk, for he was of four cubits and a span in tallness, and had about him weapons
suitable to the largeness of his body, for he had a breastplate on that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... The breastplate is a sinner's avowal of reason or is instruction; in Exodus: and
they made a breastplate wrought in fabrics according to the work of the ephod. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Obscure Passages are to be Interpreted by those which are Clearer.
... we, on the other hand, in regard to spiritual armor of this kind to assign faith
to the shield only; for we read in another place of the breastplate of faith ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 26 obscure passages are to.htm

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... It was also called the breastplate of judgment (28:15). (see PRIEST.). Noah Webster's
Dictionary. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BREASTPLATE OF THE HIGH PRIEST ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breastpiece (21 Occurrences). Exodus 25:7 onyx stones,
and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate. (See NAS RSV NIV) ...
/b/breastpiece.htm - 12k

Ends (108 Occurrences)
... ouches. (KJV WBS). Exodus 28:22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate
chains at the ends of wreathed work of pure gold. (KJV WBS). ...
/e/ends.htm - 36k

Rings (46 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall
put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. ...
/r/rings.htm - 20k

Woven (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an
ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they ...
/w/woven.htm - 19k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod. ... The breastplate
of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front. Int. ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Waistband (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod
with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ...
/w/waistband.htm - 11k

Edges (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS RSV). Exodus 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold,
and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. (See RSV). ...
/e/edges.htm - 14k

Skillfully (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod
with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ...
/s/skillfully.htm - 10k

Corners (56 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and
shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. (See NIV). ...
/c/corners.htm - 25k

What is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)? | GotQuestions.org

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What is the readiness of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)? | GotQuestions.org

Breastplate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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