Ouches

ouch'-ez, -iz (mishbetsoth (Exod 28:11; Exod 28:13; Exod 28:14; Exod 28:25; Exod 39:6; Exod 39:13; Exod 39:16; Exod 39:18) the American Standard Revised Version "settings," but in Exod 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" (Exod 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" (Exod 28:20). The same word occurs in Ps 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. Exod 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.

W. Shaw Caldecott