Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
The breastplate was doubled to be foursquare, a span long and a span broad. That same square and doubled form, a span on each side, belonged to the high priest's breastpiece worn before God's presence. It covered the priest's breast and was a rich, beautiful work set with precious stones in gold, bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved upon the stones.
The measure belongs to God's specific, detailed directions for the garments worn in tabernacle service, by which He Himself specified what those ministering before Him in the holy place and in the priest's office should wear, in a particular style suited to their work. The apparel of those officiating before Him could honor or dishonor Him, and the order in everything and especially the cleanliness required taught the people that He is holy, His service is sacred, and everything connected with approaching Him must be free from impurity and uncleanness. Aaron's dress was symbolic, teaching that the dress of Christ's followers should also represent Him.
The breastpiece was part of the breastplate through which messages from Jehovah were received. Jesus is depicted wearing that breastplate as part of priestly garments, suspended from His shoulders and glittering with letters like names engraved upon it. At Christ's death the temple's most holy place was exposed, ending the earthly service in which the high priest wore the breastpiece with its precious stones before God's presence. Those precious stones were associated with the light of God's glory and the shadow of His disapproval, and at Christ's death that glory no longer shone upon them. As a unified piece made from distinct stones, each with its own light and significance, the breastplate illustrates how church members with differing characteristics form one family.
The breastplate was doubled to be foursquare, a span long and a span broad. That same square and doubled form, a span on each side, belonged to the high priest's breastpiece worn before God's presence. It covered the priest's breast and was a rich, beautiful work set with precious stones in gold, bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved upon the stones.
The measure belongs to God's specific, detailed directions for the garments worn in tabernacle service, by which He Himself specified what those ministering before Him in the holy place and in the priest's office should wear, in a particular style suited to their work. The apparel of those officiating before Him could honor or dishonor Him, and the order in everything and especially the cleanliness required taught the people that He is holy, His service is sacred, and everything connected with approaching Him must be free from impurity and uncleanness. Aaron's dress was symbolic, teaching that the dress of Christ's followers should also represent Him.
The breastpiece was part of the breastplate through which messages from Jehovah were received. Jesus is depicted wearing that breastplate as part of priestly garments, suspended from His shoulders and glittering with letters like names engraved upon it. At Christ's death the temple's most holy place was exposed, ending the earthly service in which the high priest wore the breastpiece with its precious stones before God's presence. Those precious stones were associated with the light of God's glory and the shadow of His disapproval, and at Christ's death that glory no longer shone upon them. As a unified piece made from distinct stones, each with its own light and significance, the breastplate illustrates how church members with differing characteristics form one family.