Exodus 28:16

16 The chest covering must be square -- nine inches long and nine inches wide -- and folded double to make a pocket.

Exodus 28:16 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 28:16

Four square it shall be, [being] doubled
That is, when it was doubled; for the length of it, according to Maimonides F3, was a cubit, which is two spans, and so, when it was doubled, was but one, and its length and breadth being alike, as follows:

a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth
thereof; a square, which is the measure, the form of the new Jerusalem, the church of Christ, ( Revelation 21:16 ) and may denote the perfection, firmness, and immovableness of it, ( Psalms 125:1 ) . Some have thought that this breastplate was doubled, in order to have something enclosed in it: some imagine, that within this fold were put the Urim and Thummim, which they suppose to be two words engraved on a stone, and different from the twelve stones in it; others, that the name of Jehovah was written and put there, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi on ( Exodus 28:30 ) and other Jewish writers, and others, fancy some little images were put within these folds, the name with the teraphim, and supposed to be the Urim and Thummim; but if these were hid in the folds, they could not be seen when consulted; it is most probable there is nothing put within the double, which was not done for any such use; but most likely that it might be strong to bear the weight of the precious stones, put in ouches of gold upon it.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 6.

Exodus 28:16 In-Context

14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted together like a rope. Attach the chains to the two gold pieces that hold the stones.
15 "Make a chest covering to help in making decisions. The craftsmen should make it as they made the holy vest, using gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.
16 The chest covering must be square -- nine inches long and nine inches wide -- and folded double to make a pocket.
17 Put four rows of beautiful gems on the chest covering: The first row must have a ruby, topaz, and yellow quartz;
18 the second must have turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.