The Breastplate of Judgment
Priestly GarmentsMeaning: “Breastplate of decision”
Israel carried over the priest’s heart into God’s presence.
The jewelled breastplate bearing twelve engraved stones, one for each tribe, worn over the high priest’s heart.
What It Was
The breastplate of judgment was a square pouch of the same rich fabric as the ephod, set with twelve precious stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes (Exodus 28:15–21). It held the Urim and Thummim and was bound over the high priest’s heart.
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Aaron bore the names of the tribes “upon his heart… for a memorial before the LORD continually” (Exodus 28:29) — a picture of Christ our High Priest, who carries his people on his heart as he intercedes, each one named and precious before God.
Timeline
Made for Aaron, set with twelve tribal stones
Scripture References
21 versesExodus20 verses
Exodus 25:7
Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
Exodus 28:4
And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
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.
Exodus 28:22
And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
Exodus 28:23
And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:24
And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:26
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.
Exodus 28:28
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.
Exodus 28:29
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.
Exodus 28:30
And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Exodus 29:5
And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
Exodus 35:9
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
Exodus 35:27
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
Exodus 39:8
And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 39:9
It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
Exodus 39:15
And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.
Exodus 39:16
And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:17
And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:19
And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.
Exodus 39:21
And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Leviticus1 verse
Leviticus 8:8
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
Topics & Symbolism
Biblical themes this object points to and helps interpret.
Related people
Related objects
People associated with this object
Frequently asked about The Breastplate of Judgment
What was The Breastplate of Judgment in the Bible?
The jewelled breastplate bearing twelve engraved stones, one for each tribe, worn over the high priest’s heart.
What does The Breastplate of Judgment symbolize?
Israel carried over the priest’s heart into God’s presence.
What does the name The Breastplate of Judgment mean?
The name The Breastplate of Judgment means “Breastplate of decision”.
What was The Breastplate of Judgment made of?
The Breastplate of Judgment was made of gold and linen set with twelve gemstones.
Who made The Breastplate of Judgment?
The Breastplate of Judgment was made by Skilled craftsmen at Sinai.
Where was The Breastplate of Judgment kept?
The Breastplate of Judgment was kept at Worn over the high priest’s heart.
Where is The Breastplate of Judgment first mentioned in the Bible?
The Breastplate of Judgment is first mentioned in Exodus 25:7.
How often is The Breastplate of Judgment mentioned in the Bible?
The Breastplate of Judgment is mentioned in 21 verses across 2 books: Exodus, Leviticus.
What was on the high priest’s breastplate?
Twelve gemstones engraved with the names of Israel’s tribes, plus the Urim and Thummim, worn over his heart before the LORD (Exodus 28:15–30).
Sermon Mate
Preach on The Breastplate of Judgment?
Build your outline, link these Scripture passages, and draw out the symbolism in Sermon Mate — the workspace for ministry leaders.
Open Sermon Mate →