The
Breastplate of the High Priest
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by
Robert O. Miller, Rabbi
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Third
Stone
Carbuncle /Garnet
(bareqeth - deep or
brownish red)
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| Levi
- "Cleave to El" Gen
29:34 |
Ex
32:26-29
Blessing for obedience
Deut 33:8-11 Guarding
the word / covenant
Deut 10:8
Bless YHVH's name |
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Second
Stone
Topaz
(pitdah - yellow or
olive green)
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| Shimon
- "We will do & hear" Gen
29:33 |
Gen
34:25-27
Disastrous results
Gen 49:5-7 Cursed and
scattered
Josh 19:9 Mixed with Judah |
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First
Stone
Sardis / Ruby
(odem - redness)
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| Reuben
- "Behold a son" Gen
29:32 |
Gen
49:3-4
Turbulent waters
Judges 5:15-16 Heart searching
Deut 33:6 There is hope
Rev 7:5 Teshuvah brings
us in |
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Sixth
Stone
Diamond
(yahalom - hardness)
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| Naphtali
- "Wrestle until You bless me" Gen
30:7-8 |
Gen
49:21
Words of life
Deut 33:23 Inherit the
Galilee
Matt 4:13-16 Galilee of
the Gentiles |
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Fifth
Stone
Topaz
(cappiyr - scratch other
stones)
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| Dan
- "Discernment / Judgement" Gen
30:3-6 |
Gen
49:16
Providing Justice
Ex 30:22-23 Artists spirit
1 Kings 12:28-30 Contrary
to YHVH
Rev 7 Left out of the
final sealing |
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Fourth
Stone
Emerald / Turqouise
(nophek - to glisten,
bluish green)
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| Yahudah
- "Enter His gates with praise" Gen
29:35 |
Gen
49:8-12
The rulers scepter
Deut 33:7 The birth right
by grace
Rev 5:5 Time of Messiah |
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Ninth
Stone
Amethyst
(achlamah - dream stone)
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| Issachar
- "Power to rule & reward" Gen
30:17-18 |
Gen
49:14-15 Torah
is good to follow
Judges 5:15 Willingness
to assist
Matt 16:2-3 Knowing times
and seasons |
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Eighth
Stone
Agate
(shebuw - olive oil tine, sparkle)
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| Ashur
- "A merry heart" Gen
30:12-13 |
Gen
49:20 Provisions
for royalty
Deut 33:24-25 Favor and
prosperity
Luke 18:18-24 Grip of
covetousness
2 Cor 6:10 Nothing or
everything |
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Seventh
Stone
Jacinth / Lingure
(leshem - reddish orange)
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| Gad
- "Behold the Army of YHVH" Gen
30:9-11 |
Gen
49:13
Carry out YHVH's will
1 Chron 12:14 Great warriors
Luke 9:24 Lose your life
to gain it |
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Twelfth
Stone
Jasper
(yashepheh - polished, opaque)
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| Ben
Yamin - "Son of My right hand" Gen
35:18 |
Gen
49:27
He devours the enemy
Judges 20:16 Uniquely
talented
Deut 33:12 YHVH's people
are secure
1 Sam 9:16 First King
of Israel |
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Eleventh
Stone
Onyx
(shoham - blanched, veined)
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| Josef
- "YHVH shall increase" Gen
30:22-24 |
Gen
48:13-22 Become
a group of nations
Gen 49:22-26 The Mighty
One blesses
Deut 33:13-17 Bring the
nations together
1 Peter 5:6 The humble
are exhaulted |
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Tenth
Stone
Chrysolite / Beryl
(tarshiysh - pale green)
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| Zevulon
- "Heavenly abode" Gen
30:19-20 |
Gen
49:13
Rejoice in your abundance
Judges 4:10, 18 Defend
yur inheritance
1 Chron 12:33 Be motivated
by YHVH
James 1:8 Double-minded
is unstable |
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"No
longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Ba'al ulah; for
YHVH will take delight in you, and your land will be married."
Isaiah 62:4
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