Over the ephod was the breastplate, the most sacred of the priestly vestments. This was of the same material as the ephod. It was in the form of a square, measuring a span, and was suspended from the shoulders by a cord of blue from golden rings. The border was formed of a variety of precious stones, the same that form the twelve foundations of the City of God. Within the border were twelve stones set in gold, arranged in rows of four, and, like those in the shoulder pieces, engraved with the names of the tribes. The Lord's direction was, "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually." Exodus 28:29. So Christ, the great High Priest, pleading His blood before the Father in the sinner's behalf, bears upon His heart the name of every repentant, believing soul. Says the psalmist, "I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." Psalm 40:17.

Over efoden var brystskjoldet, den helligste del af præstedragten. Det var af samme materiale som efoden. Det var firkantet, målte et spand og var fæstet til skulderstykkerne med en violet purpursnor i gyldne ringe. Kanten var dannet af forskellige ædelstene, de samme, der danner de tolv grundstene i Guds stad. Inden for kanten var der tolv stene indfattet i guld og ordnet i fire rækker, og ligesom i stenene i skulderstykkerne var stammernes navne indgraveret i dem. Herrens anvisning lød: "Aron skal således stedse bære Israels sønners navne på retskendelsens brystskjold på sit hjerte, når han går ind i helligdommen, for at bringe dem i minde for Herrens åsyn." 2. Mos. 28, 29. På samme måde bærer Kristus, den store ypperstepræst, enhver angrende, troende sjæls navn på sit hjerte, når han påberåber sig sit blod over for Faderen på synderens vegne. Salmisten siger: "Er jeg end arm og fattig, vil Herren dog tænke på mig." Sl. 40, 18.