Breastplate gemstones pictured

The 12 gemstones worn on the High Priests golden breastplate, khoshen, attached to his golden apron, ephod. They represented the 12 Tribes of Israel, whose names are inscribed on the stones shown here in PaleoHebrew script. What these stones were is a matter of ongoing debate.

There is an error in this picture. Number 3, Levi, was the third son of Jacob, and his descendants were the priests but were not given tribal land. The actual tribe missing here was Dan, also a son of Jacob.

Dans stone was turquoise, sapphire or opal.

Tap center for a Tribal map.