Exodus 28:17-27

17 Fasten four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row put red quartz, topaz, and emerald.

18 In the second row put turquoise, sapphire, and crystal.

19 In the third row put jacinth, agate, and amethyst.

20 In the fourth row put beryl, onyx, and gray quartz. Mount them in gold settings.

21 The stones correspond to the 12 sons of Israel, by name, each stone engraved (like a signet ring) with the name of one of the 12 tribes.

22 "For the breastplate make chains out of pure gold, twisted like ropes.

23 Make two gold rings for the breastplate. Attach them to the two [top] corners of the breastplate.

24 Then fasten the two gold ropes to the rings at the [top] corners of the breastplate.

25 Fasten the other ends of the ropes to the two settings on the shoulder straps of the ephod [so that the breastplate hangs] in front of it.

26 Make two gold rings, and fasten them to the other two corners of the breastplate on the inside edge next to the ephod.

27 Make two [more] gold rings, and fasten them to the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front of the ephod. This will be close to the seam just above the belt of the ephod.

Exodus 28:17-27 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.