Twelve, a number of meaningful answers, but my question concerns the tribes.?

Question

I have been searching about the origins of the twelve tribes of Israel. Of course, I imagine the first ones were the twelve sons of Jacob. But that changed after the death of Joseph and Levites were excluded. But my question is concerning the 12 jewels in the breastplate of the priests: sardius, topaz, emerald, turquoise, sahpphire, diamond, jacinth, agate,amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. To what corresponding tribe do the respective jewels refer. Perhaps some Jewish Historian or Rabbi may know the answer. I am sincrely interested. I am not interested in any stupid wise crack answer that some of these creatures who climb out from behind their filthy rocks may come up with.

Answer 1

It appears that Matthew Henry had the names figured out. It is a bit of reading. I don't usually just paste, but I don't want to appear as being knowledgable about something I am not:
Exodus 28
Verses 15-30

The most considerable of the ornaments of the high priest was this breast-plate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously wrought with gold and purple, etc., two spans long and a span broad, so that, being doubled, it was a span square, v. 16. This was fastened to the ephod with wreathen chains of gold (v. 13, 14, 22, etc.) both at top and bottom, so that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod, v. 28. The ephod was the garment of service; the breast-plate of judgment was an emblem of honour: these two must by no means be separated. If any man will minister unto the Lord, and do his will, he shall know his doctrine. In this breast-plate,

I. The tribes of Israel were recommended to God’s favour in twelve precious stones, v. 17–21, 19. Some question whether Levi had a precious stone with his name or no. If not, Ephraim and Manasseh were reckoned distinct, as Jacob had said they should be, and the high priest himself, being head of the tribe of Levi, sufficiently represented that tribe. If there was a stone for Levi, as is intimated by this, that they were engraven according to their birth (v. 10), Ephraim and Manasseh were one in Joseph. Aaron was to bear their names for a memorial before the Lord continually, being ordained for men, to represent them in things pertaining to God, herein typifying our great high priest, who always appears in the presence of God for us. 1. Though the people were forbidden to come near, and obliged to keep their distance, yet by the high priest, who had their names on his breast-plate, they entered into the holiest; so believers, even while they are here on this earth, not only enter into the holiest, but by faith are made to sit with Christ in heavenly places, Eph. 2:6. 2. The name of each tribe was engraven in a precious stone, to signify how precious, in God’s sight, believers are, and how honourable, Isa. 43:4. They shall be his in the day he makes up his jewels, Mal. 3:17. How small and poor soever the tribe was, it was a precious stone in the breast-plate of the high priest; thus are all the saints dear to Christ, and his delight is in them as the excellent ones of the earth, however men may esteem them as earthen pitchers, Lam. 4:2. 3. The high priest had the names of the tribes both on his shoulders and on his breast, intimating both the power and the love with which our Lord Jesus intercedes for those that are his. He not only bears them up upon his heart, as the expression here is (v. 29), carries them in his bosom (Isa. 40:11), with the most tender affection. How near should Christ’s name be to our hearts, since he is pleased to lay our names so near his! and what a comfort it is to us, in all our addresses to God, that the great high priest of our profession has the names of all his Israel upon his breast before the Lord for a memorial, presenting them to God as the people of his choice, who were to be made accepted in the beloved! Let not any good Christians fear that God has forgotten them, nor question his being mindful of them upon all occasions, when they are not only engraven upon the palms of his hands (Isa. 49:16), but engraven upon the heart of the great intercessor. See Cant. 8:6.

II. The urim and thummim, by which the will of God was made known in doubtful cases, were put in this breast-plate, which is therefore called the breast-plate of judgment, v. 30. Urim and thummim signify light and integrity; many conjectures there are among the learned what they were; we have no reason to think they were any thing that Moses was to make more than what was before ordered, so that either God made them himself, and gave them to Moses, for him to put into the breast-plate, when other things were prepared (Lev. 8:8), or no more is meant than a declaration of the further use of what was already ordered to be made. I think the words may be read thus, And thou shalt give, or add, or deliver, to the breast-plate of judgment, the illuminations and perfections, and they shall be upon the heart of Aaron; that is, "He shall be endued with a power of knowing and making known the mind of God in all difficult doubtful cases, relating either to the civil or ecclesiastical state of the nation." Their government was a theocracy: God was their King, the high priest was, under God, their ruler, the urim and thummim were his cabinet-council; probably Moses wrote upon the breast-plate, or wove into it, these words, Urim and Thummim, to signify that the high priest, having on him this breast-plate, and asking counsel of God in any emergency relating to the public, should be directed to take those measures, and give that advice, which God would own. If he was standing before the ark (but without the veil) probably he received instructions from off the mercy-seat, as Moses did (ch. 25:22); thus, it should seem, Phinehas did, Jdg. 20:27, 28. If he was at a distance from the ark, as Abiathar was when he enquired of the Lord for David (1 Sa. 23:6, etc.), then the answer was given either by a voice from heaven or rather by an impulse upon the mind of the high priest, which last is perhaps intimated in that expression, He shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart. This oracle was of great use to Israel; Joshua consulted it (Num. 27:21), and, it is likely, the judges after him. It was lost in the captivity, and never regained after, though, it should seem, it was expected, Ezra 2:63. But it was a shadow of good things to come, and the substance is Christ. He is our oracle; by him God in these last days makes known himself and his mind to us, Heb. 1:2; Jn. 1:18. Divine revelation centres in him, and comes to us through him; he is the light, the true light, the faithful witness, the truth itself, and from him we receive the Spirit of truth, who leads into all truth. The joining of the breast-plate to the ephod denotes that his prophetical office was founded in his priesthood; and it was by the merit of his death that he purchased this honour for himself and this favour for us. It was the Lamb that had been slain that was worthy to take the book and to open the seals, Rev. 5:9.

Answer 2

“Its radiance was like a most precious stone, as a jasper stone shining crystal-clear. It had a great and lofty wall and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were inscribed which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The wall of the city also had twelve foundation stones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:11b-14)
John continues his description: “Now the structure of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass. The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with every sort of precious stone: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Also, the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was made of one pearl. And the broad way of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass.”—Revelation 21:18-21.

The city’s construction is truly resplendent. Instead of mundane, earthly building materials like clay or stone, we read of jasper, refined gold, and “every sort of precious stone.” How fittingly these portray celestial building materials! Nothing could be more magnificent. The ancient ark of the covenant was overlaid with pure gold, and in the Bible this element often represents things that are good and valuable. (Exodus 25:11; Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 60:6, 17) But the entire New Jerusalem, and even its broad way, are constructed of “pure gold like clear glass,” portraying a beauty and intrinsic value that stagger the imagination.
Even the city’s foundations are beautiful, being adorned with 12 precious gems. This calls to mind the ancient Jewish high priest, who on ceremonial days wore an ephod studded with 12 different precious stones somewhat similar to the ones described here. (Exodus 28:15-21) Surely this is no coincidence! Rather, it emphasizes the priestly function of New Jerusalem, of which Jesus, the great High Priest, is the “lamp.” (Revelation 20:6; 21:23; Hebrews 8:1) Also, it is through New Jerusalem that the benefits of Jesus’ high-priestly ministry are channeled to mankind. (Revelation 22:1, 2) The city’s 12 gates, each being a pearl of great beauty, call to mind Jesus’ illustration that likened the Kingdom to a pearl of high value. All who enter through those gates will have shown true appreciation for spiritual values.—Matthew 13:45, 46; compare Job 28:12, 17, 18.

Answer 3

!2 symbolizes 12 vortexes at work on our world. Spirals of
spiritual energy. One in the Bermuda Triangle/Site of King
Solomons Temple too some say.
There are many things that relate to 12.
144,000 elect, 12,000 times 12. The 12,000 from each tribe that
will form this power structure.
12 tribes of Israel. Jacob actualy had 70 kids. 12 princes and
12 nations of Ishmael.
12 disciples, with Christ made 13, higher octave, (True spirit,
over physical aspects of spiritual).
!2 months in a year. 12 signs Zodiac.
24 hrs/day, 2 times 12.
24 elders in Revelation, 2 times 12.
60 minutes in hour, 5 times 12.
60 seconds in minute, 5 times 12.
The only one out is 30 days in the month.
My friend said they all really break down to 6. The mark of the
Beast, in the Greek really meant OF MAN. Like relating to
the material world of man.
Computers run on a system of 6s. 000001 is an A. 000010 is
a B. Something like that.
There is a computer code in use on the back of most store bought items. It has three sets of 2 thin lines. One each end, and
in the middle. 666.

Answer 4

I just have in my hand a booklet called 'the gems in the breastplate' by e. raymond capt. i have also found urls on the web starting with the banners of twelve tribes.

i have sickness in fam or i would love to do more searches for you. artisan publishing may have book.

best source of this information is (donot hesitate because i promise they will not hound you in any way!) http://www.shepherd's chapel
phone [phone] toll free.

also see my 360. we blog heraldy stuff all the time and some friends know more than me!

Answer 5

I would suppose that the stones would be in the birth order of the sons of Israel.

Genesis 49:3, "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:"

...etc.

Answer 6

there are resources for these type of questions in books you can purchase for study. Go to your local christian book store for direction on these types of study books. Your commentary can be helpful as well as encyclopedia of bible facts. There are several internet sites with helpful information as well. Some of these sites have great libraries available in Jewish information as well as non jewish

Answer 7

Hey...12 days of Christmas.....sounds like your in the jeweler business.....your answer maybe found in ..why do most of the jewels are sold by the Jewish people in NYC....there best money can by

Answer 8

Look it up on the NET and then you will know you have the correct answer.

Answer 9

Read the Bible and you will find your answer.

No, this is not a wise crack.

Answer 10

Yet you still come to us. Use the Internet and search. I know some of them but you have insulted my intellectual being.