The High Priest's breastplate could predict the outcome of wars. Josephus states this not as legend but as historical fact—the twelve gemstones mounted on the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) would blaze with supernatural light before a battle if God intended to grant victory. The phenomenon was so well known, Josephus claims, that even Greeks who studied Jewish law called the breastplate "the Oracle." He adds that this radiance ceased two hundred years before he wrote his Antiquities, because God had become displeased with Israel's transgressions.
But the breastplate was just one layer of an extraordinarily complex wardrobe. Josephus describes every garment of the ordinary priests first—the linen breeches called Machanase, tied at the thighs; the full-length white robe called Chethone, fitted with sleeves and cinched by a brilliantly embroidered sash of scarlet, purple, blue, and gold that wound around the chest multiple times before hanging loose to the ankles. On the head, a turban called Masnaemphthes, swathed in linen and covered with a smooth cloth that hid every seam—because nothing unsightly could appear during sacred service.
The High Priest wore all of this, then added more. Over everything went a blue robe reaching to the feet, called Meeir, fringed at the hem with alternating golden bells and pomegranate-shaped tassels—so that every step Aaron took produced sound (Exodus 28:33-35). Over that went the Ephod, a short embroidered vest of gold and four colors, with two sardonyx stones on the shoulders engraved with the names of the twelve tribes—six on each side, in birth order.
The breastplate sat in the center of the Ephod, fastened by golden rings, blue ribbons, and chains of gold running to the shoulders. Twelve precious stones were set into it in four rows of three: sardonyx, topaz, emerald, carbuncle, jasper, sapphire, ligure, amethyst, agate, chrysolite, onyx, and beryl—each stone bearing the name of one of Jacob's twelve sons. Josephus marvels that these gems were so rare they could not be purchased at any price.
And then comes Josephus's most provocative claim—Moses designed every detail as a map of the universe. The Tabernacle's three divisions represented land, sea, and heaven. The twelve loaves meant twelve months. The Menorah's seven lamps meant seven planets. The four colors of the veils meant the four elements—linen for earth, purple for the sea, blue for air, scarlet for fire. The High Priest's blue robe signified the sky, his bells represented thunder, his pomegranates stood for lightning. Even the golden thread woven through the Ephod symbolized the splendor that illuminates all creation.