Exodus 39:11-21

11 the second row a green feldspar, a sapphire and a diamond;

12 the third row an orange zircon, an agate and an amethyst;

13 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They were mounted in settings of gold.

14 The stones corresponded to the names of the twelve sons of Isra'el; they were engraved with their names as a seal would be engraved, each name representing one of the twelve tribes.

15 On the breastplate they made two pure gold chains, twisted like cords.

16 Also for the breastplate they made two settings of gold and two gold rings, and they put the two rings at the two ends of the breastplate.

17 They put the two twisted gold chains in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate

18 and attached the other two ends of the twisted chains to the front of the shoulder-pieces of the ritual vest.

19 They also made two gold rings and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, at its edge, on the side facing in toward the vest.

20 Also they made two gold rings and attached them low on the front part of the vest's shoulder-pieces, near the join, above the vest's decorated belt.

21 Then they bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the vest with a blue cord, so that it could be on the vest's decorated belt, and so that the breastplate would not swing loose from the vest -as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Exodus 39:11-21 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.