Exodus 28:13-23

13 Make the settings of gold filigree,

14 then braid two cords of pure gold and attach them to the filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod.

15 “Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God. Make it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

16 Make the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.

17 Mount four rows of gemstones on it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald.

18 The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.

19 The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.

20 The fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will be set in gold filigree.

21 Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal.

22 “To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold thread.

23 Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece.

Exodus 28:13-23 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]. Hebrew a chestpiece for decision.
• [b]. Hebrew 1 span [23 centimeters].
• [c]. The identification of some of these gemstones is uncertain.