And the stones shall be with the names of the children
of
Israel, twelve, according to their names
And just so many are reckoned up in the preceding verses, each of
which had one or other of the names of the children of Israel
engraved on them, according to the order of their names in their
birth. Some have thought that Levi's name was omitted, but their
reason for it seems not sufficient; for why might not he bear the
name of his own tribe, and represent that as well as the rest,
since the whole Israel of God is represented by his antitype?
[like] the engravings of a net, everyone with his name
shall they be
according to the twelve tribes;
not like the impression of a seal on wax, then the letters indeed
would have been protuberant, as some have thought; but these were
like the engravings of a seal, in which the letters or figures
are cut within it: these twelve stones, with the names on them,
represent the twelve tribes of Israel, and they the whole
spiritual Israel of God; and being precious stones, show the
excellency of the people of God, of what value, and in what
esteem they are with God and Christ, being their jewels and
peculiar treasure; and their names being in them, denote the
special and particular knowledge God has of them, their names
being written in heaven in the book of life; and they are called
by name by the Lord; and being engraved as a signet, is an emblem
of their being set as a seal on the arm and heart of Christ, and
of their being as dear and precious to him as a signet on a man's
right hand; and being set in ouches and enclosures of gold,
express both the dignity and excellency, and the careful
preservation of them: these were set in rows, as members of
churches are, everyone in his order, rank, and station, (
1
Corinthians 12:18 1
Corinthians 12:28 ) .
