Precious Stones in the Earlier and Later Breastplates

List of the precious stones used in the breastplate of Aaron and in the breastplate of the Second Temple, and variations of the names of the gems in the breastplate

In the following lists of the precious and semiprecious stones contained in the earlier and later breastplates, the writer does not claim to have finally solved the problem presented by the Hebrew accounts of the high-priest's adornment, but he hopes that the distinction established here between the Mosaic breastplate and that of the Second Temple, separated from each other by an interval of eight centuries, may serve to clear up some of the difficulties encountered in the treatment of this subject.

The Breastplate of Aaron The Breastplate of the Second Temple

I Red jasper Carnelian

II Light-green serpentine Peridot

III Green feldspar Emerald

IV Almandine garnet Ruby

V Lapis-lazuli Lapis-lazuli

VI Onyx Onyx

VII Brown agate Sapphire or jacinth

VIII Banded agate Banded agate

IX Amethyst Amethyst

X Yellow jasper Topaz

XI Malachite Beryl

XII Green jasper, or jade Green jasper, or jade

The following lists show the variations of the different ancient authorities in regard to the names of the gems in the breastplate:

# Hebrew Septuagint
(Greek)
About 250 B.C. Josephus
(Greek)
About 90 A.D. Vulgate
(Latin)
About 400 A.D. Authorized Version
1611 A.D. Revised Version
1884 A.D.

1 Odem Sardion Sardonyx Sardius Sardius Sardius (or Ruby)

2 Pitdah Topazion Topazos Topazius Topaz Topaz

3 Bareketh Smaragdos Smaragdos Smaragdus Carbuncle Carbuncle (or Emerald)

4 Nophak Anthrax Anthrax Carbunculus Emerald Emerald (or Carbuncle)

5 Sappir Sappheiros Iaspis Sapphirius Sapphire Sapphire

6 Yahalom Iaspis Sappheiros Jaspis Diamond Diamond (or Sardonyx)

7 Leshem Ligurion Liguros Ligurius Ligure Jacinth (or Amber)

8 Shebo Achates Amethystos Achates Agate Agate

9 Ahlamah Amethystos Achates Amethystus Amethyst Amethyst

10 Tarshish Chrysolithos Chrysolithos Chrysolithus Beryl Beryl (or Chalcedony)

11 Shoham Beryllion Onyx Onychinus Onyx Onyx (or Beryl)

12 Yashpheh Onychion Beryllos Beryllus Jasper Jasper

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