Exodus 28:8-18

8 Its decorated belt is to be of the same workmanship and materials - gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen.

9 Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Isra'el -

10 six of their names on one stone and the six remaining names on the other, in the order of their birth.

11 An engraver should engrave the names of the sons of Isra'el on the two stones as he would engrave a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings,

12 and put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the vest as stones calling to mind the sons of Isra'el. Aharon is to carry their names before ADONAI on his two shoulders as a reminder.

13 "Make gold squares

14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; attach the cord-like chains to the squares.

15 "Make a breastplate for judging. Have it crafted by a skilled artisan; make it like the work of the ritual vest - make it of gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen.

16 When folded double it is to be square - a hand-span by a hand-span.

17 Put on it settings of stones, four rows of stones: the first row is to be a carnelian, a topaz and an emerald;

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

Exodus 28:8-18 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.