Read Exodus 39 and 40

No commentary is given for today’s Bible reading, but I have always been fascinated in the beauty of the priestly garment which included the shoulder pieces and breastplate that contained the different jewels God used to depict each tribe of Israel and what each of those precious stones look like (of course, different translations will show variations of stones and color).

“And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings when they were mounted.”   Exodus 39:10-13

engraved

Ruby – (Tribe of Ruben)
Topaz – (Tribe of Simeon)
Emerald – (Tribe of Levi)
Turquoise -(Tribe of Judah)
Sapphire – (Tribe of Dan)
Diamond – (Tribe of Naphtali)
Jacinth – (Tribe of Gad)
Agate – (Tribe of Asher)
Amethyst – (Tribe of Issachar)
Beryl –  (Tribe of Zebulun)
Onyx – (Tribe of Joseph)
Jasper – (Tribe of Benjamin)

Breastplate order: “We see that the order is very similar to the encampment order, but before Levi was replaced. The first three stones correspond to Judah, Issachar and Zebulon, exactly as in the encampment order. The next three correspond to the north direction, being Dan, Naphtali, and Gad. This time the three are still in the order expected from the shoulder order, rather than having Naphtali and Asher swapped. The next three correspond to south in the exact birth order expected: Reuben, Simeon and Levi. Finally the last three also are in perfect order: Asher, Joseph and Benjamin.”
Source: johnpratt.com

breastplate order

It is all so very interesting especially when you incorporate the birthstones of today; one for each month of the year for a total of 12.  Could even these stones, ones many of us have worn, be based on God’s original assignment of the 12 tribes of Israel??

Hmmmm…

Well, well, isn’t Wikipedia just chock full of interesting information: Wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthstones

Oh, how God can be seen and makes Himself known through even in the smallest, seemingly insignificant, things!  Praise Him!

 

Related articles:
Twelve Sons, Twelve Stones   (johnpratt.com/index.html)
The Tribal Stones for the Twelve Tribes of Israel   (godsstones.com/index.html)
Choshen Stones in Jewish Art and Jewelry   (jewisharttoday.com)
Twelve Jewels   (chapterbible.blogspot.com)
Hebrew Birthstones   (bernardine.com)