Exodus 39:5-15

5 And the girdle of his ephod, which was on it, was of the same, according to its work, of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

6 And they wrought the onyx stones mounted in enclosures of gold, engraved with the engravings of a seal, according to the names of the sons of Israel.

7 And he put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, [as] stones of memorial for the children of Israel; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

8 And he made the breastplate of artistic work, like the work of the ephod, of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus.

9 It was square; double did they make the breastplate, a span the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, doubled.

10 And they set in it four rows of stones: [one] row, a sardoin, a topaz, and an emerald -- the first row;

11 and the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a diamond;

12 and the third row, an opal, an agate, and an amethyst;

13 and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper; mounted in enclosures of gold in their settings.

14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, engraved as a seal, every one according to his name, for the twelve tribes.

15 And they made on the breastplate chains of laced work of wreathen work, of pure gold.

Exodus 39:5-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'beryl.'
• [b]. Or 'surrounded by.'