Exodus 28:6-14

The Ephod

6 "They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.

7 It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges so that it can be joined together.

8 The artistically woven waistband that is on the ephod^[a] must be of one piece,^[b] according to the same workmanship of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen.

9 "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel's sons:

10 six of their names on the first stone and the remaining six names on the second stone, in the order of their birth.

11 Engrave the two stones with the names of Israel's sons as a gem cutter engraves a seal. Mount them, surrounded with gold filigree settings.

12 Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the Israelites. Aaron will carry their names on his two shoulders before the Lord as a reminder.

13 Fashion gold filigree settings

14 and two chains of pure gold; you will make them of braided cord work, and attach the cord chains to the settings.

Exodus 28:6-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 28

This chapter informs us of the servants God would have to minister to him in the house, or tabernacle, he had ordered to be made, even Aaron and his sons, Ex 28:1 of the garments they were to wear in their service, Ex 28:2-5 and first of the garments of the high priest, and particularly of the ephod, with the girdle, on the shoulder pieces of which were to be two onyx stones, with the names of the children of Israel engraved on them, Ex 28:6-14, and that of the breastplate of judgment, with the Urim and Thummum in it, Ex 28:15-30 and of the robe of the ephod, Ex 28:31-35, and of the mitre, Ex 28:36-39 and then of the garments of the common priests, Ex 28:40-43.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit waistband of its ephod, which is on it
• [b]. Lit piece with the ephod