Exodus 28:18-28

18 the second must have turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;

19 the third must have a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

20 the fourth must have a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. Put gold around these jewels to attach them to the chest covering.

21 There must be twelve jewels on the chest covering -- one jewel for each of the names of the sons of Israel. Carve the name of one of the twelve tribes on each of the stones as you would carve a seal.

22 "Make chains of pure gold, twisted together like rope, for the chest covering.

23 Make two gold rings and put them on the two upper corners of the chest covering.

24 Attach the two gold chains to the two rings at the upper corners of the chest covering.

25 Attach the other ends of the two chains to the two gold pieces on the shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest.

26 "Make two gold rings and put them at the two lower corners of the chest covering, on the inside edge next to the holy vest.

27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest. Put them close to the seam above the woven belt of the holy vest.

28 Join the rings of the chest covering to the rings of the holy vest with blue ribbon, connecting it to the woven belt so the chest covering will not swing out from the holy vest.

Exodus 28:18-28 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.