The golden bells, ever tinkling as the High Priest performed the duties of his sacred office, proclaimed to the people that he had found access to God on their behalf, and that his ministries were pleasing to Him.
The ephod worn by Aa'ron was an ornate upper garment with one part falling over his shoulders in front and covering his breast, and the other falling behind and covering his back. It was made of the same material as the inner curtain and draperies of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, blue, purple, scarlet, and finely twined linen, interwoven with gold threads cut from plates of pure gold. It was tied around the waist with an embroidered girdle made of the same material.
Upon each of the shoulder pieces of the ephod was an onyx stone set in borders of gold, on these stones were engraved the names of the twelve heads of the tribes of Is'ra-el. The names of the six elder sons of Ja'cob were on one of these stones, and the names of the six younger sons were engraved on the other.
This article of dress for the High Priest, expensive, gorgeous, and brilliant, indicated the beauty and glory of the priestly services in the Tabernacle; while the names of the heads of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el carried upon the shoulders pointed out the High Priest as the only one who could speak for the nation with God. Since gold is the emblem of regal power, the golden garments of Aa'ron were a sign that he was the head of the nation in all religious matters.
The breastplate was joined to the ephod by chains of gold. It was a highly decorated woven square about ten inches each way, and was worn over the breast. It was made of the same material as the ephod, but was made somewhat in the form of a pouch. It was adorned with twelve precious stones, arranged in three perpendicular rows of four each. Engraved on these sparkling jewels were the names of the tribes of Is'ra-el, one name on each.
The twelve precious stones, representing each of the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el, were symbolic of the different traits of each one. In the first row were: the Emerald, of brilliant green , on which was the name of Zeb'u-lun; the Diamond, transparent or reddish yellow, bearing the name of Ash'er; the Amethyst, violet-blue, engraved with the name of Ben'ja-min; and the Jasper, dark red, representing Gad.
In the second row were: the Topaz, golden tinged, engraved with the name of Ju'dah; the Sapphire, sky-blue, on which was placed the name of Sim'e-on; the Agate, of divers colors and transparent, bearing the name of Ma-nas'seh; and the Beryl, sea-green, on which the name of Naph'ta-li appeared.
In the third row were: the Sardius, carnelian or blood-red, engraved with the name of Is'sa-char; the Carbuncle, of fine ruby color, on which the name of Reu'ben appeared; the Ligure, orange and transparent, representing E'phraim; and the Chrysolite, golden colored, on which the name of Dan was inscribed.
This beautifully jeweled breastplate indicated the truth that the intercession of the High Priest must rest upon a foundation of purity, righteousness, and holiness; and these precious stones typified the purity and glory of Is'ra-el under the saving grace of God.
