17 "You shall mount e on it four rows of stones ; the first row shall be a row of ruby , topaz and emerald ; 18 and the second row a turquoise , a sapphire and a diamond ; 19 and the third row a jacinth , an agate and an amethyst ; 20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper ; they shall be set in gold filigree . 21 "The stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel : twelve e , according to their names ; they shall be like the engravings of a seal , each according to his name for the twelve e tribes .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 28:17-21
Commentary on Exodus 28:15-30
(Read Exodus 28:15-30)
The chief ornament of the high priest, was the breastplate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously worked. The name of each tribe was graven in a precious stone, fixed in the breastplate, to signify how precious, in God's sight, believers are, and how honourable. How small and poor soever the tribe was, it was as a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest; thus are all the saints dear to Christ, however men esteem them. The high priest had the names of the tribes, both on his shoulders and on his breast, which reminds us of the power and the love with which our Lord Jesus pleads for those that are his. He not only bears them up in his arms with almighty strength, but he carries them in his bosom with tender affection. What comfort is this to us in all our addresses to God! The Urim and Thummim, by which the will of God was made known in doubtful cases, were put in this breastplate. Urim and Thummim signify light and integrity. There are many conjectures what these were; the most probable opinion seems to be, that they were the twelve precious stones in the high priest's breastplate. Now, Christ is our Oracle. By him God, in these last days, makes known himself and his mind to us, Hebrews 1:1,2; John 1:18. He is the true Light, the faithful Witness, the Truth itself, and from him we receive the Spirit of Truth, who leads into all truth.