The term "breastplate" in the Bible primarily refers to a piece of armor worn for protection in battle, as well as a sacred garment associated with the high priest of Israel. The concept of the breastplate is rich with symbolic and practical significance, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments.

1. The High Priest's Breastplate

The most detailed description of a breastplate in the Bible is found in the context of the high priest's garments. In Exodus 28:15-30, God commands Moses to make a "breastpiece of judgment" for Aaron, the high priest. This breastplate was an integral part of the priestly garments, designed to be both beautiful and functional. It was made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen. The breastplate was square, a span long and a span wide, and folded double.

The breastplate contained twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These stones were set in four rows, symbolizing the high priest's role in representing the people of Israel before God. The breastplate was attached to the ephod, another priestly garment, by gold chains and rings, ensuring it remained securely in place over the heart of the high priest.

The breastplate also held the Urim and Thummim, mysterious objects used to discern God's will in decision-making. Exodus 28:30 states, "And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of judgment for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD."

2. The Breastplate as Armor

In a more general sense, the breastplate is also mentioned as a piece of armor. In the context of physical warfare, the breastplate served to protect the vital organs, particularly the heart, from enemy attacks. This imagery is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe spiritual armor.

In Ephesians 6:14, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." Here, the breastplate symbolizes righteousness, suggesting that living a righteous life in accordance with God's standards protects the believer's heart from spiritual harm.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul writes, "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." In this passage, the breastplate is associated with faith and love, emphasizing the protective power of these virtues in the life of a Christian.

3. Symbolic Significance

The breastplate, both as a part of the high priest's attire and as a piece of spiritual armor, carries deep symbolic meaning. It represents the protection and guidance provided by God, the importance of righteousness and faith, and the role of the high priest as an intercessor for the people. The breastplate's placement over the heart underscores the centrality of these spiritual truths in the life of a believer.

In summary, the breastplate in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of divine protection, priestly intercession, and the call to live a life of righteousness and faith. Whether in the context of the high priest's garments or the spiritual armor of a believer, the breastplate remains a vivid reminder of God's provision and the believer's call to holiness.2382. thorax -- a breastplate
... 26). Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a breastplate NASB Word
Usage breastplate (2), breastplates (3). breast-plate. Of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2382.htm - 7k224. Urim -- part of the high priest's breastplate
... 223b, 224. Urim. 225 . part of the high priest's breastplate. Transliteration:
Urim Phonetic Spelling: (oo-reem') Short Definition: Urim. Word Origin pl. ...
/hebrew/224.htm - 6k

8537. tom -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high ...
... tom. 8538 . completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate.
Transliteration: tom Phonetic Spelling: (tome) Short Definition: integrity. ...
/hebrew/8537.htm - 6k

8302. shiryon -- body armor
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition body armor NASB Word Usage armor
(3), body armor (1), breastplate (1), breastplates (1). ...
/hebrew/8302.htm - 6k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition breastpiece, sacred pouch NASB
Word Usage breastpiece (25). breastplate. From an unused ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

8550. Tummim -- Thummim
... Thummim. Plural of tom; perfections, ie (techn.) One of the epithets of the objects
in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete Truth -- Thummim. ...
/hebrew/8550.htm - 6k

'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... EPHESIANS 'THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS'. 'Having put on the breastplate
of righteousness.'"Ephesians 6:14. There can be no ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm

The Names on Aaron's Breastplate
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE NAMES ON AARON'S BREASTPLATE. ... I said that the names on the
breastplate of judgment expressed the acquittal and acceptance of Israel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the names on aarons breastplate.htm

That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
... Hence by the divine voice it is enjoined (Exodus 28:15), that on the breast of Aaron
the breastplate [1268] of judgment should be closely pressed by binding ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ii that the ruler.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... Twelve stones also there were upon the breast-plate, extraordinary in largeness
and beauty ... by four in a row, and were inserted into the breastplate itself, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

The Shield of Faith
... Perhaps with some allusion to the fact that the shield protected the breastplate,
as well as the breastplate protected the man, there may be a reference to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the shield of faith.htm

Ephesians vi. 14-17
... Homily XXIV. Ephesians vi. 14-17. Ephesians vi.14-17 "Stand therefore, having girded
your loins with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and ...
/.../homily xxiv ephesians vi 14-17.htm

Introduction.
... Furthermore, they are compared with the twelve stones in the High Priest's breastplate,
and their inseparability is shown by a new distribution of them. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... vast bulk, for he was of four cubits and a span in tallness, and had about him weapons
suitable to the largeness of his body, for he had a breastplate on that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... The breastplate is a sinner's avowal of reason or is instruction; in Exodus: and
they made a breastplate wrought in fabrics according to the work of the ephod. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Obscure Passages are to be Interpreted by those which are Clearer.
... we, on the other hand, in regard to spiritual armor of this kind to assign faith
to the shield only; for we read in another place of the breastplate of faith ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 26 obscure passages are to.htm

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... It was also called the breastplate of judgment (28:15). (see PRIEST.). Noah Webster's
Dictionary. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BREASTPLATE OF THE HIGH PRIEST ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)
Breast-plate. Breastplate, Breast-plate. Breastplates . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Breastplate, Breast-plate. Breastplates . Reference Bible.
/b/breast-plate.htm - 12k

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breastpiece (21 Occurrences). Exodus 25:7 onyx stones,
and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate. (See NAS RSV NIV) ...
/b/breastpiece.htm - 12k

Ends (108 Occurrences)
... ouches. (KJV WBS). Exodus 28:22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate
chains at the ends of wreathed work of pure gold. (KJV WBS). ...
/e/ends.htm - 36k

Rings (46 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall
put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. ...
/r/rings.htm - 20k

Woven (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an
ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they ...
/w/woven.htm - 19k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod. ... The breastplate
of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front. Int. ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Ouches (8 Occurrences)
... From this fact it may be inferred that the settings of the breast-plate were not ...
and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. ...
/o/ouches.htm - 10k

Waistband (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod
with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ...
/w/waistband.htm - 11k

Edges (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS RSV). Exodus 28:23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold,
and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. (See RSV). ...
/e/edges.htm - 14k

Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.org

How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about breastfeeding? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus