Exodus 28:16-26

16 It is to be square and folded double, 9 inches long and 9 inches wide.

17 Mount four rows of precious stones on it; in the first row mount a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet;

18 in the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond;

19 in the third row, a turquoise, an agate, and an amethyst;

20 and in the fourth row, a beryl, a carnelian, and a jasper. These are to be mounted in gold settings.

21 Each of these twelve stones is to have engraved on it the name of one of the sons of Jacob, to represent the tribes of Israel.

22 For the breastpiece make chains of pure gold, twisted like cords.

23 Make two gold rings and attach them to the upper corners of the breastpiece,

24 and fasten the two gold cords to the two rings.

25 Fasten the other two ends of the cords to the two settings, and in this way attach them in front to the shoulder straps of the ephod.

26 Then make two rings of gold and attach them to the lower corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.

Exodus 28:16-26 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.