Exodus 39:4-14

4 They made shoulder-pieces for it, joined together. At the two ends it was joined together.

5 The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moshe.

6 They worked the shoham stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Yisra'el.

7 He put them on the shoulder-pieces of the efod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Yisra'el, as the LORD commanded Moshe.

8 He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the efod; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.

9 It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its breadth a span, being double.

10 They set in it four rows of stones. A row of odem, pitdah, and bareket was the first row;

11 and the second row, a nofek, a sappir, and an yahalom;

12 and the third row, a lehshem, an shebu, and an akhlamah;

13 and the fourth row, a tarshish, an shoham, and a yashefay. They were enclosed in gold settings.

14 The stones were according to the names of the children of Yisra'el, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes.

Exodus 39:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 39

In this chapter is continued the account of making the several things belonging to the sanctuary, particularly the clothes for the service of the tabernacle, and the garments of the priests, as the ephod and its curious girdle, Ex 39:1-7 the breastplate and the putting of the stones in it, and the fastening of it to the ephod, Ex 39:8-21 the robe of the ephod, with the bells and pomegranates to it, Ex 39:21-26 and the coats, mitre, bonnets, breeches, and girdle of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons, Ex 39:27-29 and the golden plate, Ex 39:30,31 and all being finished, the tabernacle and everything belonging to it were brought to Moses, and viewed by him; who seeing that all was done exactly according to the commandment of the Lord, blessed the people, and particularly the artificers, Ex 39:38-43.