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Easton's Bible Dictionary
(no entry)
Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names
(no entry)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(no entry)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
brest'-plat 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 ; 28
; 29:5
; 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). 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
Tags:
12 stones, bible commentary, bible history, bible reference, bible study, breastplate of the high priest, choshen, define, habergeon, pouch, priestly code, urim and thummim
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