Exodus 39:8-18

8 Breastpiece. They made a Breastpiece designed like the Ephod from gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

9 Doubled, the Breastpiece was nine inches square.

10 They mounted four rows of precious gemstones on it. First row: carnelian, topaz, emerald.

11 Second row: ruby, sapphire, crystal.

12 Third row: jacinth, agate, amethyst.

13 Fourth row: beryl, onyx, jasper.

14 The twelve stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve names engraved as on a seal, one for each of the twelve tribes.

15 They made braided chains of pure gold for the Breastpiece, like cords.

16 They made two settings of gold filigree and two rings of gold, put the two rings at the two ends of the Breastpiece,

17 and fastened the two ends of the cords to the two rings at the end of the Breastpiece.

18 Then they fastened the cords to the settings of filigree, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the Ephod in front.

Exodus 39:8-18 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.