Exodus 39:9-19

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.

16 And they made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

17 And they put the two wreathen [cords] of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate;

18 and the two ends of the two wreathen [cords] they fastened to the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, on the front thereof.

19 And they made two rings of gold, and put [them] on the two ends of the breastplate, on the border thereof, which faceth the ephod inwards.

Exodus 39:9-19 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.'
• [c]. Or 'enclosures,' as vers. 6,13: see ch. 28.11.