BREASTPIECE*, BREASTPLATE*

1. Part of the ceremonial garment of the high priest (Ex 25:7). See Priests and Levites.

2. Piece of armor worn to protect the chest. The word is used figuratively in several passages. Isaiah 59:17 says that God put on righteousness as a breastplate or body armor as he prepared to take vengeance on his enemies. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to wear a breastplate of righteousness in order to stand against the devil (Eph 6:14) and a breastplate of faith and love as they await Christ’s return (1 Thes 5:8).

See also Armor and Weapons.