May 27, 2014

High Priest Breastplate: Part 1

The breastplate and clothing of the High Priest (image from the Temple Institute)
The next portion of the High Priest clothing that I have completed is the breastplate. The Bible teaches that the breastplate was to be made of a similar fabric as the ephod, being made of purple, blue and red wool with white linen and gold threads (see Exodus 28:15). It is one of the few pieces of clothing that actually has a dimension, "Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof" (Exodus 28:16). A span is about 9" long, so it was about 9" square doubled over (so actually 9" x 18" folded in half to make 9" x 9"). The folded portion created a pocket where the urim and thummim could be stored (more pictures to follow).

Looming the breastplate fabric
The end of the fabric just before I cut it off the loom
Closeup of the fabric showing the purple, red, blue, white and gold thread
The 9" x 18" piece of fabric before finishing and tying off the ends
The breastplate fabric folded in half with the un-set 12 stones
The Bible teaches that the breastplate was to be attached by two chains (at the top) which were hooked to two straps that ran down the back, and two blue ties, which were tied to the ephod. The chains were to be of  "wreathen work" or braided, and attached to golden rings (see Exodus 28:22-25).

Gold chains of "wreathen work" or braided
The bottom of the breastplate was attached by tieing the blue straps to the ephod. This was so that the breastplate would not swing up or out while the high priest was working. This blue strap was to be the same color as the blue strap of the crown. (See Exodus 28:26-29).

The blue strap on the bottom of the breastplate

21 comments:

  1. More on those stones please. They look terrific.

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  2. Once I figure out how to do the settings for the stones, I will post more pictures and give more details on them. The stones (I hope) will be engraven with the names of the 12 tribes, and then mounted into gold settings (or something that looks like gold).

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    Replies
    1. Can you make me the top portion only, if so how much? princessc12000@yahoo.com Shalom

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  3. I would like to know if you be willing to make me a replica of your breastplate and ephod? Please email me at strozier501@yahoo.com

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  4. I regret to inform you but you have the order of the precious stones on the breastplate backwards. Hebrew is written from RIGHT to left. So the red stone, perhaps a ruby, would be on the RIGHT side. Notice in this illustration: http://judaism.walla.co.il/item/2718459

    In order to interpret the bible accurately, it is good to study the original language. This Hebrew course can help you: https://www.udemy.com/aleph-bait-soup-read-biblical-hebrew-a-letter-at-a-time/#/

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  5. Thanks for the input! I actually have already changed the order about a week ago, all new pictures (once I actually have a chance to post the new pictures), should be in the correct order. When I placed these first stones, I was following the order of the Temple Institute, who has done an incredible amount of research on the clothing of the High Priest. Why they choose this order, I am not sure, but I have since decided to place the stones in the birth order from right to left as you mention. By the way, you have some great videos, thanks for sharing!

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  6. Where did you find the gold chains of wreathed work attached to gold rings? I've searched as many places I could find, and yet had no luck with finding them.

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    1. Etsy. They have so much stuff. Here is a listing showing my first chain: https://www.etsy.com/listing/221109294/vintage-gold-plated-textured-rolo-rope?ga_search_query=rolo&ref=shop_items_search_3

      And here is some other chain that I found that I think I like even better: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204733269/large-vintage-gold-plated-rolo-rope?ga_search_query=Plated+Rolo+Rope+Chain&ref=shop_items_search_2

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    2. Great! Thank you soo much for the links!

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  7. I commend you on your tenacity of this project. If you are looking for
    the same results as the original Arron breastplate, you would have to
    use pure gold chain. Using goldplate does not offer you the same attributes
    that pure gold does...., a noble metal, which offers conductivity. In the
    days of Aaron they did not have base metal with gold plate chains. They offer nothing in the department of conductivity or esoteric power.
    If your objective for the project is just the "look" then using pure gold is not necessary.

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  8. I commend you on your tenacity of this project. If you are looking for
    the same results as the original Arron breastplate, you would have to
    use pure gold chain. Using goldplate does not offer you the same attributes
    that pure gold does...., a noble metal, which offers conductivity. In the
    days of Aaron they did not have base metal with gold plate chains. They offer nothing in the department of conductivity or esoteric power.
    If your objective for the project is just the "look" then using pure gold is not necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, nice work! I have a question. Hope I can make it clear. Do we know if the stones were laid out in parallel lines like this? Is it possible they were laid out in an open square the way the tents were organized around the sanctuary, and if so, what would that have looked like? I believe I saw a breastplate laid out like that once and now I can't find it. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. The Bible states in Exodus 28:15-21 that the breastplate was made by creating four rows of three stones. To me it is very clear on the layout because of this text. I have heard others claim that it was laid out in the shape of a square to match the tribes around the Tabernacle, but I see no evidence of this in Exodus whatsoever. Hope that helps!

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  10. This is the best job I've ever seen
    thanks to all the team that made it possible!
    God the Great Jehovah bless you
    Thank you for taking us to the golden age of Israel (Prophets, priests, temple, ordinances) :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! It was a fun project to work on! If you have not already seen my two videos on this, make sure to check both of those out. Just search Exodus 28 on YouTube and Jesus Christ the Great High Priest.

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  11. I am interested in buying the priestly garments and Aaoronic breast plate. How can i place my order for it. Please reply as soon as possible

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    Replies
    1. It was a two year project, so I don’t sell them. I’ve only made one, and won’t be selling it.

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  12. Please can I get your contact please...... As I need asap.... Even if it's just the 12 stones

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, don’t have any to sell. They are very hard to get, and just not worth trying to sell.

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  13. Hi
    Could you make the turban (mitra) of the high priest? It's necessary the best quality of lino like the Torah has described in exodus 28,36.
    I'm sorry for my english i'm from Italy.
    Thank you very much
    Blessing

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