In biblical literature, breastplates are significant both as physical armor and as symbolic representations of spiritual truths. The concept of the breastplate appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, serving as a protective garment in battle and as a ceremonial vestment for religious purposes.

1. The Breastplate of the High Priest

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 essential part of the priestly attire, crafted with skilled artistry and adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. The Berean Standard Bible describes it as follows:

"You are to fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod, of gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen" (Exodus 28:15).

The breastplate was not only decorative but also functional, as it held the Urim and Thummim, tools used for divination and decision-making before the Lord. This breastplate symbolized the high priest's role as an intercessor for the people, bearing their names before God.

2. The Breastplate as Armor

In the context of warfare, the breastplate is a critical piece of armor, designed to protect the vital organs of a soldier. The Apostle Paul uses this imagery in his epistles to describe the spiritual armor of a believer. In Ephesians 6:14, Paul exhorts Christians 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, a protective attribute that guards the heart against spiritual attacks.

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 believer.

3. Symbolic and Prophetic References

The breastplate also appears in prophetic and symbolic contexts. In the Book of Revelation, the imagery of breastplates is used to describe the appearance of locusts in the apocalyptic vision: "They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle" (Revelation 9:9). This description highlights the formidable and fearsome nature of these creatures, underscoring the intensity of the spiritual warfare depicted in the vision.

Throughout the Bible, the breastplate serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing protection, righteousness, and divine authority. Whether worn by the high priest in the service of God or by a soldier in the heat of battle, the breastplate is a powerful emblem of the believer's call to stand firm in faith and righteousness.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 - 7k8302. 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

Concerning the Death of Antiochus Epiphane. How Antiochus Eupator ...
... Elymais; and therein a very rich temple of Diana, and that it was full of all sorts
of donations dedicated to it; as also weapons and breastplates, which, upon ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the death.htm

A Description of the Roman Armies and Roman Camps and of Other ...
... The footmen are armed with breastplates and head-pieces, and have swords on each
side; but the sword which is upon their left side is much longer than the other ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of.htm

Alexander.
... chariot and white horses of the Sun; and next, the king's favourite soldiers, called
the Immortal Band, whose robes were white, their breastplates set with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xv alexander.htm

Titus when the Jews were not at all Mollified by his Leaving Off ...
... So the soldiers, according to custom, opened the cases wherein their arms before
lay covered, and marched with their breastplates on, as did the horsemen lead ...
/.../chapter 9 titus when the.htm

The Events which Happened to the Heathen.
... 2. And besides these things shields and breastplates were preparing, and darts and
spears and other warlike accoutrements were making ready, and galleys and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xv the events which happened.htm

Of the Idols which the Gentiles Think to be Gods.
... And then I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sate upon them, having
breastplates of fire, and of hyacinth, and of sulphur: and the heads of the ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/59 of the idols which.htm

Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ...
... He also divided his whole army into bands, and armed them, giving every one a sword,
with brazen bucklers and breastplates, with bows and slings; and besides ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning jeroboam king.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... 8. And they had hair, like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth.
(9) and they had breastplates like iron ... Number. Heads and breastplates. g ix. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

How one of the Towers Erected by the Romans Fell Down of Its Own ...
... These men lay still for a while, as in great fear, under their breastplates; but
when the tower was shaken, they arose, and Castor did then stretch out his hand ...
/.../chapter 7 how one of.htm

Matt. xxii. 15
... For not with spears are they encamped like the soldiers, for at this point I lately
ended my discourse, neither with shields and breastplates; but bare of all ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxx matt xxii 15.htm

Breastplates (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breastplates (7 Occurrences). Revelation 9:9 They
had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound ...
/b/breastplates.htm - 8k

Iron (104 Occurrences)
... 16 Job 20:24), armor (2 Samuel 23:7), horns (1 Kings 22:11), fetters (Psalm
105:18), chariots (Joshua 17:16), yokes (Jeremiah 28:14), breastplates (Revelation ...
/i/iron.htm - 50k

Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Revelation 9:9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their
wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. ...
/w/wings.htm - 34k

Thundering (16 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Thunder. Multi-Version Concordance Thundering (16 Occurrences). Revelation
9:9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. ...
/t/thundering.htm - 11k

Rushing (61 Occurrences)
... furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. (See NIV). Revelation
9:9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The ...
/r/rushing.htm - 24k

Elegance (2 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 4:4 Your neck is like the tower of David made for a store-house of
arms, in which a thousand breastplates are hanging, breastplates for fighting ...
/e/elegance.htm - 7k

Chariots (118 Occurrences)
... See HORSES OF THE SUN. Multi-Version Concordance Chariots (118 Occurrences).
Revelation 9:9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. ...
/c/chariots.htm - 42k

Arsenal (2 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 4:4 Your neck is like the tower of David made for a store-house of
arms, in which a thousand breastplates are hanging, breastplates for fighting ...
/a/arsenal.htm - 7k

Store-house (23 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 4:4 Your neck is like the tower of David made for a store-house of
arms, in which a thousand breastplates are hanging, breastplates for fighting ...
/s/store-house.htm - 13k

Scales (33 Occurrences)
... And I saw a black horse; and he who was seated on it had scales in his hand. (BBE
NAS NIV). Revelation 9:9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. ...
/s/scales.htm - 18k

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