Here's an interesting article about the breastplate's 12 stones. . .

[link to www.fivedoves.com]

"There exists much rabbinic argument as to exactly which tribes were engraved on the breastplate and in which order but the truth is contained in the mathematics. The figure 3700, the matrix total, is the exact value of the Greek words spoken by the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:25: ‘Messias cometh, which is called Christ’. Complimentary to this theme is the fact that the Hebrew word khoshen, translated as ‘breastplate’ (or ‘breastpiece’ in some bibles) but more probably meaning ‘pocket’ or ‘bag’ and used only in connection with this covering on the breast of the High Priest, has exactly the same numerical value as the Hebrew word Moshiach meaning Messiah. Thus the breastplate may also be regarded as a spiritual proclamation of the coming Messiah, of extreme relevance and significance in relationship to the mathematics of this particular matrix."