Exodus 39:8-21

The Chest Cloth

8 Skilled workers made the chest cloth. They made it like the linen apron. They used fine gold wire, and blue, purple and bright red yarn, and finely twisted linen.

9 The chest cloth was nine inches square. It was folded in half.

10 They put four rows of valuable jewels on it. A ruby, a topaz and a beryl were in the first row.

11 A turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald were in the second row.

12 A jacinth, an agate and an amethyst were in the third row.

13 And a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper were in the fourth row. The workers put them in fancy gold settings.

14 They used a total of 12 stones. There was one stone for each of the names of the sons of Israel. Each stone was carved like a seal with the name of one of the 12 tribes.

15 The workers made braided chains out of pure gold for the chest cloth. They made them like ropes.

16 They made two fancy gold settings and two gold rings. They connected them to two corners of the chest cloth.

17 They joined the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the chest cloth.

18 They joined the other ends of the chains to the two settings. They joined them to the shoulder straps on the front of the linen apron.

19 The workers made two gold rings. They connected them to the other two corners of the chest cloth. They put them on the inside edge next to the apron.

20 They made two more gold rings. They connected them to the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front of the apron. They put them close to the seam right above the waistband of the apron.

21 They tied the rings of the chest cloth to the rings of the apron with blue cord. That connected it to the waistband. Then the chest cloth would not swing out from the linen apron. The workers did those things just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:8-21 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.