Exodus 28:15-30

The breastplate 28:15-30

The breastplate was a pocket of material of the same fabric as the ephod. Twelve precious stones were fastened to the front of it, and two objects, the Urim and Thummim, which were probably stones also, lay within it.

The 12 jewels represented the 12 tribes. Each one was unique. God later called the Israelites His jewels (Malachi 3:17). The high priest carried the tribes on his heart (Exodus 28:30) as well as on his shoulders. The heart refers to the seat of feelings and affections in the Old Testament.

"The purpose of the breastpiece was ’for making decisions’ (Exodus 28:15). The Urim and Thummim, deposited in the pouch, were sacred lots used as the ’means of making decisions’ (Exodus 28:30). The word ’Urim’ begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and ’Thummim’ begins with the last letter, so the lots were probably restricted to giving either positive or negative responses to questions asked of them. Strengthening that likelihood is the fact that the phrase ’Urim and Thummim’ is best translated into English as ’curses and perfections,’ meaning that if ’Urim’ dominated when the lots were cast the answer would be no but if ’Thummim’ dominated the answer would be yes." [Note: Youngblood, p. 127.]