Ouches
Ouches [1]
ouch´ez , - iz ( משׁבּצות , mishbecōth ( Exodus 28:11 , Exodus 28:13 , Exodus 28:14 , Exodus 28:25; Exodus 39:6 , Exodus 39:13 , Exodus 39:16 , Exodus 39:18 ) the American Standard Revised Version "settings," but in Exodus 39:13 , "inclosings"): The secondary meaning of this now archaic word is the gold or silver setting of a precious stone. In Exodus, where it occurs 8 times, it is clear that the gold settings of the engraved stones forming the breast-plate of the high priest are intended; the onyx stones forming the fibula or brooch for holding together the two sides of the breast-plate being said to be "enclosed in ouches (settings) of gold" ( Exodus 39:6 ). Not only were these two onyx or beryl stones so set, but the 12 stones forming the front of the breast-plate were "inclosed in gold in their settings" ( Exodus 28:20 ). The same word occurs in Psalm 45:13 , where the king's daughter is said to have her clothing "in-wrought with gold," i.e. embroidered with gold thread or wire. Exodus 39:3 tells us how this wire was produced. From this fact it may be inferred that the settings of the breast-plate were not solid pieces of gold, but were formed of woven wire wreathed round the stones, in a sort of filigree. See also Stones , Precious .
