Bible scholars have long been fascinated by the Breastplate worn by the High Priest of Israel. Set in precious stones it occupied an important place in Israelitish worship for it contained the instruments by which God revealed His Divine will to His chosen people.
The gemstones are significant in that each stone is engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. Again these same names are found written upon the twelve gates of pearl (of the New Jerusalem) described in the Book of Revelation. (Rev. 21:1221) There is little doubt that each tribe of Israel regarded the stone in the Breastplate on which its own name was engraved as its own representative gem.
Although much has been written about the Breastplate the identity of the gem stones themselves has received little attention. This may be due to the fact that it seems impossible to come to any definite conclusions as to which of our modern gems corresponds to the gems named in the Scriptures.
Mr. Capt's objective is to present with this treatise what can be gleaned from the Scriptures and the works of many scholars whose learning in ancient languages and the science of precious and other stones entitles them to speak on the subject. He believes the different conclusions of qualified researchers will give the reader some definite ground on which to form an intelligent opinion as to the nature of the stones called "precious" in the Holy Scriptures. This is a study of those stones.
