“They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel. Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth. With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel. You shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial. You shall make settings of gold, and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings.
Parallel Translations
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“They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.
It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.
The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel.
Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth.
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel. You shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold.
You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial.
You shall make settings of gold,
and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings.
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And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
And thou shalt make ouches of gold;
And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.
Show all 3 translations
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And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skilful workman.
It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together.
And the skilfully woven band, which is upon it, wherewith to gird it on, shall be like the work thereof and of the same piece: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth.
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel; thou shalt make them to be inclosed in settings of gold.
And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
And thou shalt make settings of gold;
and two chains of pure gold; of plaited thread shalt thou make them, of wreathen work; and thou shalt put the wreathen chains on the settings.
Cross-references (60)
- Exodus 28:29 (v12) Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a…
- Exodus 39:6-7 (v12) They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children…
- Joshua 4:7 (v12) then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant. When it crossed over the…
- Exodus 28:27-28 (v8) You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its…
- Exodus 29:5 (v8) You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clothe him with the…
Show all 57 cross-references
- Leviticus 8:7 (v8) He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of…
- Leviticus 24:7 (v12) You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
- Numbers 16:40 (v12) to be a memorial to the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger who isn’t of the offspring of Aaron, would come near to burn…
- Numbers 31:54 (v12) Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the Tent of Meeting for a…
- Isaiah 9:6 (v12) For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,…
- Ezekiel 28:13 (v9) You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise,…
- Exodus 28:36 (vv9, 11) “You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLY TO YAHWEH.’
- Exodus 39:6 (vv9, 11) They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children…
- Exodus 39:13 (vv9, 11) and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
- Genesis 2:12 (v9) and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.
- Genesis 9:12-17 (v12) God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual…
- Genesis 43:33 (v10) They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one…
- Exodus 1:1-4 (v10) Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob): Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and…
- Exodus 12:14 (v12) This day shall be a memorial for you. You shall keep it as a feast to Yahweh. You shall keep it as a feast throughout your generations by…
- Exodus 13:9 (v12) It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong…
- Exodus 26:1 (v6) “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. You shall…
- Exodus 28:7 (v12) It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.
- Exodus 28:13-14 (v11) You shall make settings of gold, and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided…
- Exodus 28:20 (v9) and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.
- Exodus 28:21 (v11) The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet,…
- Exodus 28:22-25 (v14) You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and…
- Exodus 28:25 (v11) The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its…
- Exodus 39:2-7 (v6) He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to…
- Exodus 39:4 (v7) They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends.
- Exodus 39:15 (v14) They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
- Exodus 39:17-18 (v14) They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. The other two ends of the two braided chains they…
- Exodus 39:18 (v11) The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front.
- Exodus 39:20-21 (v8) They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling,…
- 1 Kings 7:17 (v14) There were nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; seven for the one…
- 2 Kings 25:17 (v14) The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of bronze was on it. The height of the capital was three cubits, with…
- 2 Chronicles 2:7 (v9) “Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how…
- 2 Chronicles 4:12-13 (v14) the two pillars, the bowls, the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars, the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals…
- Job 28:16 (v9) It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
- Psalms 89:19 (v12) Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people.
- Song of Solomon 8:6 (v9) Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes…
- Isaiah 11:5 (v8) Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
- Isaiah 12:2 (v12) Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my…
- Isaiah 49:16 (v9) Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me.
- Isaiah 62:6 (v12) I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day nor night. You who call on Yahweh, take no rest,
- Jeremiah 22:24 (v11) “As I live,” says Yahweh, “though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet on my right hand, I would still pluck you from…
- Zechariah 3:9 (v11) For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Yahweh of…
- Zechariah 6:13-14 (v12) even he shall build Yahweh’s temple; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his…
- Luke 1:54 (v12) He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
- Luke 1:72 (v12) to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
- Acts 10:4 (v12) He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy…
- Ephesians 1:13 (v11) In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with…
- Ephesians 4:30 (v11) Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 (v11) However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the…
- Hebrews 7:25-28 (v12) Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make…
- 1 Peter 1:13 (v8) Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
- Revelation 1:13 (v8) And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
- Revelation 7:2 (v11) I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it…
57 distinct cross-references across this passage (60 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 12, 14 Which went about his upmost coat.
Which went about his upmost coat.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6, 9, 12, 14 Exo 28:6 And they shall make the ephod [of]…
Exo 28:6 And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Ver. 6. The ephod of gold.] This the high priest only might wear; neither might any imitate it; for that was the fall of Gideon’s house. {Jdg 8:26-27}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 Of gold, beaten out into plates, and cut into…
Of gold, beaten out into plates, and cut into wires.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v6 Directions are here given concerning the ephod, which was…
Directions are here given concerning the ephod, which was the outmost garment of the high priest. Linen ephods were worn by the inferior priests, Sa1 22:18. Samuel wore one when he was a child (Sa1 2:18), and David when he danced before the ark (Sa2 6:14); but this which the high priest only wore was called a golden ephod, because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short coat without sleeves, buttoned closely to him, with a curious girdle of the same stuff (Exo 28:6-8); the shoulder-pieces were buttoned together with two precious stones set in gold, one on each shoulder, on which were engraven the names of the children of Israel, Exo 28:9-12. In allusion to this, 1. Christ our high priest appeared to John girt about the breast with a golden girdle, such as was the curious girdle of the ephod, Rev 1:13. Righteousness is the girdle of his loins (Isa 11:6), and should be of ours, Eph 6:14. He is girt with strength for the work of our salvation, and is ready for it. 2. The government is said to be upon his shoulders (Isa 9:6), as Aaron had the names of all Israel upon his shoulders in precious stone. He presents to himself and to his Father a glorious church, Eph 5:27. He has power to support them, interest to recommend them, and it is in him that they are remembered with honour and favour. He bears them before the Lord for a memorial (Exo 28:12), in token of his appearing before God as the representative of all Israel and an advocate for them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–14 And they shall make the ephod,.... This was the…
And they shall make the ephod,.... This was the outermost garment of, all, and was put over the robe; it was a short garment, reaching to the loins, as Kimchi (p); or to the buttocks, as Abarbinel (q); and not to the heels or feet, as Jarchi (r), and Maimonides (s); for Josephus (t) says it was but a cubit long, which was little more than half a yard; he means that part of it which was distinct from the shoulder pieces, and came down from thence: the hinder part of it covered the back, and reached to the middle of the buttocks; and the forepart covered the breast and belly, and with shoulder pieces under the arm holes was buttoned with onyx stones upon the top of the shoulders, and was girt about the breast with a curious girdle: it had no sleeves, though Josephus (u) says it had, as appears from the make of it; it was different from the linen ephod worn by the common priests and others, and was a symbol of the human nature of Christ, our great High Priest: it was made of
gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work; the stuff of which it was made was interwoven with threads of gold, and threads of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and threads of linen, wrought with divers figures in a curious manner, which looked very beautiful; and was a fit emblem of the glory, excellency, and purity of Christ's human nature; of the various graces of the Spirit in it; of his heavenly original; of his blood, sufferings, and death, and glorious exaltation; and of its being a curious piece of workmanship wrought by the Lord himself, Heb 10:5.
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(p) Comment. in 1 Chron. 15. 27. (q) Comment. in loc. (r) Comment. in loc. (s) Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 9. (t) Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5. (u) Ib.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv6, 11 The ephod, was the outmost garment of the high-priest;…
The ephod, was the outmost garment of the high-priest; linen ephods were worn by the inferior priests, but this, which the high- priest wore, was called a golden ephod, because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short coat without sleeves, buttoned close to him with a curious girdle of the same stuff. The shoulder pieces were buttoned together with two precious stones set in gold, one on each shoulder. In allusion to this, Christ our high priest appeared to John, girt about the paps with a golden girdle, such as was the curious girdle of the ephod, Rev. i, 13. Righteousness is the girdle of his loins. He is girt with strength for the work of our salvation. And as Aaron had the names of all Israel upon his shoulders in precious stones, so He presents to himself and to his Father a glorious church, Eph. v, 27. He bears them before the Lord for a memorial, in token of his appearing before God as the representative of all Israel, and an advocate for them.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 11, 12, 13 Verse 8. The curious girdle of the ephod] The…
Verse 8. The curious girdle of the ephod] The word חשב chesheb, rendered here curious girdle, signifies merely a kind of diaper, or embroidered work; (See Clarke on Ex 26:1;) and it is widely different from אבנט abnet, which is properly translated girdle, Ex 28:4. The meaning therefore of the text, according to some, is this, that the two pieces, Ex 28:7, which connected the parts of the ephod at the shoulders where the onyx stones were set, should be of the same texture with the ephod itself, i.e., of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, embroidered together. But others suppose that some kind of a girdle is meant, different from the abnet, Ex 28:39, being only of plain workmanship.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv6, 11 Exo 28:6. They shall make the ephod of gold…
Exo 28:6. They shall make the ephod of gold — This was the outmost garment of the high-priest. Linen ephods were worn by the inferior priests; but this which the high-priest wore was called a golden ephod, because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short linen coat without sleeves, of various colours, which hung behind upon the back and shoulders, and came down before upon the breast. The shoulder pieces were buttoned together with two onyx-stones, set in gold, one on each shoulder. And on these two onyx-stones were engraven the names of the twelve sons of Israel, six on each stone, according to their seniority, that the high-priest might bear their names before the Lord in his ministrations, in token of his appearing before God as their representative, and for a memorial, that he might both remember to plead their cause as their advocate, and also might put the Lord in remembrance, so to speak, of his promises to them, Isa 9:6. A similar reason is given, (Exo 28:29,) for his wearing the breast-plate. Le Clerc gives it as his opinion, that these names upon the two precious stones signified further, 1st, The union of all the tribes in one commonwealth; 2d, Their union in one religion and priesthood; and, 3d, That the care of the public religion rested, as it were, upon the high-priest, and was, of all concerns, to be next his heart. According to our translation, and as most interpreters have understood the expression, the ephod was girt on with a girdle over the breast, dyed, embroidered, and interwoven with gold, like the other parts of the ephod.
Thus Christ appeared to John, girt about the paps with a golden girdle, Rev 1:13. Righteousness was the girdle of his loins. He was girt with strength for the work of our salvation, and was clad with zeal as with a cloak. The government also is upon his shoulders, and he ever liveth to make intercession for his people, bearing their names before God, as a memorial, not engraven on stones of onyx, but in characters of unspeakable and everlasting love upon his heart. Hence, as their representative and advocate, he interposes in their behalf, prevalently pleads their cause, and will present them to himself and to his Father, a glorious church, (Eph 5:27,) without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 Ephod, (superhumerale.) That of the other priests was made…
Ephod, (superhumerale.) That of the other priests was made of linen; and such were worn by Samuel, and by David, when he danced before the ark. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v6 ephod--It was a very gorgeous robe made of byssus,…
ephod--It was a very gorgeous robe made of byssus, curiously embroidered, and dyed with variegated colors, and further enriched with golden tissue, the threads of gold being either originally interwoven or afterwards inserted by the embroiderer. It was short--reaching from the breast to a little below the loins--and though destitute of sleeves, retained its position by the support of straps thrown over each shoulder. These straps or braces, connecting the one with the back, the other with the front piece of which the tunic was composed, were united on the shoulder by two onyx stones, serving as buttons, and on which the names of the twelve tribes were engraved, and set in golden encasements. The symbolical design of this was, that the high priest, who bore the names along with him in all his ministrations before the Lord, might be kept in remembrance of his duty to plead their cause, and supplicate the accomplishment of the divine promises in their favor. The ephod was fastened by a girdle of the same costly materials, that is, dyed, embroidered, and wrought with threads of gold. It was about a handbreadth wide and wound twice round the upper part of the waist; it fastened in front, the ends hanging down at great length (Rev 1:13).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 9, 13 6. The ephod — This was the most conspicuous…
6. The ephod — This was the most conspicuous garment of the high priest, and was made of the same material as the tabernacle-cloth and vail, (Exo_26:1; Exo_26:31,) but was interlaced with gold threads, the cunning work of the weaver. According to Wilkinson the Egyptian monuments exhibit coloured costumes woven with what appear like threads of gold.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–14 6. gold] i.e. gold thread (see Exo_39:3). The other…
6. gold] i.e. gold thread (see Exo_39:3). The other materials for the ephod were the same as those for the curtains (Exo_26:1): but the ephod would be the handsomer on account of the gold thread interwoven with them.
the work of the designer] or pattern-weaver: see on Exo_26:1.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–14 (6) With cunning work.—On this phrase, see Note on…
(6) With cunning work.—On this phrase, see Note on Exo_26:1.
1. THE EPHOD.
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(6-12) The ephod was, as already observed (Note on Exo_28:4), a sort of jerkin or waistcoat. It was made in two pieces, a front piece and a back piece, which were joined together at the shoulders, apparently by a seam (Exo_28:7). The pieces descended to the waist; and there one or other of them was expanded into a band, called “the curious girdle of the ephod,” which being passed round the waist and fastened, kept both front and back pieces in place (Exo_28:8). On either shoulder was an onyx stone set in gold (Exo_28:9-11), and engraved with the names of six of the tribes.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–14 The Ephod.
The Ephod.
They shall make the ephod The word ephod signifies etymologically any "vestment" or "garment;" but in its use it is confined to the special vestment here described, the great object of which was to be a receptacle for the "breast-plate." The ephod was a sort of jerkin or waistcoat, consisting of two pieces, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together probably by a seam, above the shoulders, and united at the waist by a band called "the curious girdle of the ephod." This band was of one piece with the ephod, being woven on either to the front or the back part; it held the other part in place, and was passed round the body and fastened either with a clasp, or with buttons, or strings. Of gold, of blue, of purple, etc. i.e. , "of the same materials as the curtains and veil of the sanctuary, with the addition of gold." The gold was probably in the shape of gold thread, or wire of extreme tenuity, and was introduced by the needle after the fabric bad been woven, as was commonly done in Egypt (Heb 3:47; Wilkinson"s Ancient Egyptians, vol. 3. p. 128: compare below. (Exo_39:3) The white, blue, purple, and scarlet threads were doubtless woven into a pattern of some kind; but it is impossible to say what the pattern was. In Egypt patterns were not much affected, the dress worn being commonly white, with a stripe sometimes at the edge; but the Semitic tribes, who bordered Egypt on the East, affected gay colours and. varied designs, if we may trust the Egyptian wall-paintings. With cunning work. Literally, "work of the skilled (workman)." Some of the Hebrews had evidently carried on the trade of weaving in Egypt, and had brought their looms with them. The Egyptian looms were hand-looms, and of no great size; they admitted of easy transport.
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Vers. 6-12. The symbolism of the ephod and its onyx stones.
The ephod was, par excellence, the priestly garment. When idolatrous rites grew up in Palestine, which sheltered themselves under the pretence of being modifications, or adaptations, of the Sinaitic religion, an ephod was always retained, and made a prominent feature in the new form of worship. (Jud_1:8:27 17:5 18:14; etc.) The ephod came to be worn by a/l Israelitish priests (1Sa_22:18; Hos_3:4) and even by laymen when engaged in sacred functions. (2Sa_6:14; 1Ch_15:27) Its materials and workmanship united it pointedly with the tabernacle, (Exo_26:1) and especially with the holy of holies ( ib, ver. 51). It may be considered
I AS TYPIFYING THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. The shoulder pieces of the ephod were to be "joined together" (ver. 7). The "curious girdle" was to be of one piece with it (ver. 8). Though formed of various parts, it was to be one single indivisible garment, united both above and below, and always worn in its entirety. The seamless robe of our Blessed Saviour is generally allowed to prefigure his one Church. The ephod as worn, was, perhaps, not seamless; but still it was "woven of one piece," and so far resembled the Lord"s garment.
II AS REPRESENTING THE VARIETY OF GIFTS AND GRACES WITHIN THE CHURCH. The blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and gold, and gems of the ephod gave it a variety and a beauty which made it the most glorious of all the priestly vestments. Variety has a charm of its own, and is a mark of the Church, in which there is such vast "diversity of gifts," though there is but one spirit. Gold is especially appropriate for the dignity of those whom God has made "both priests and kings." "The king"s daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold". (Psa_45:13) Purple, too, is an imperial colour, and suits those who shall "reign with Christ for ever". (Rev_22:5)
III AS CONSTITUTING, WHEN WORN BY THE HIGH-PRIEST, A PRESENTATION OF THE CHURCH TO GOD IN PERFECT BEAUTY. The onyx, or sardonyx stones, with the twelve names engraved upon them, completed the representative character of the ephod, and showed clearly that the high priest, when, thus attired, he entered the sanctuary, presented before God the Church whereof he was the head, as freed from sin by the expiation which he had made at the altar before entering, and made meet for the presence of the Most High. And this presentation was, we are distinctly told, (Heb_9:9-12 Heb_10:19-22) a type or figure of that far more precious one, which Christ is ever making before his Father"s throne in heaven, where he presents to him his Church, "a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish", (Eph_5:27) washed in his blood, redeemed by his death, sanctified by his in-dwelling. Christ can and will purge his elect from all sin; (1Jn_1:7) Christ can and will present them pure before God. He has his "sealed" ones of all the twelve tribes; (Rev_7:4-8) and, besides these, he has others who are equally his great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues" (ib, 9) who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" ( ib, 14), and whom he will "present faultless" to his Father.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v6 The ephod.
Exo_28:6-14
The ephod.
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The ephod
The ephod, with its curious girdle and the oynx stones upon its shoulder-pieces, was the distinctive priestly garment. It hung upon the shoulders down to the waist, and was formed of the most costly and beautiful materials, corresponding exactly to those employed in the interior decoration of the holy place. The girdle was made of the same materials, with the same combination of colours. As garments were associated in the Hebrew mind with character, and the girdle with energy in work, we find in the correspondence of both with the interior of the holy place, a memorial of the necessity that those who enter the house of the Lord must be themselves holy and beautiful in character, and be engaged in high and holy service. But the most important parts of the ephod were the shoulder-pieces, on which were set two oynx stones, with the names of the tribes engraven on them (see Exo_28:12). Here we have the idea of representation clearly and beautifully symbolized. The shoulders, to a Hebrew mind, were the symbol of strength; and the idea was, that when the high priest entered the holy place he did not go alone, but carried with him on his strong shoulders the children of Israel whom he represented; and the estimation in which the people were held was expressed in the value of the precious stones on which the names were engraved, and the setting of pure gold with which they were surrounded. (J. M. Gibson, D. D.)
The ephod
The ephod, with the breastplate and girdle fastened to it, and put upon the person of Aaron, constituted him a worshipper; adorned with this he could draw near and worship in the holy place. It was put on over the blue robe, and is supposed to have been much shorter than that garment, reaching a little below the knees, whilst the blue robe reached down to the feet. It fitted closely to the person, and was kept in its place by the girdle. It was made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. These materials represent the purity, loveliness, and glory of Christ as the Man Jesus Christ and the mighty God. It would spangle with gold, and the colours would be so blended as to display their richness and beauty in the best possible way. The four materials were the same as the vail was made of, viz., fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, which represent the manhood of Christ in all its perfection as such (Heb_10:19-20); but in the gold thread with which that cloth was embroidered (Exo_39:3), I see the Godhead of the Lord, and the two are so joined together that you cannot have one without the other. The back and front parts of the ephod were joined at the shoulders, by means of the shoulder-pieces from which it was suspended. In each shoulder-piece was a precious stone set in gold--an oynx stone, a beautiful white and half-transparent stone. In these precious stones the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were engraven. Aaron carried the names of his people upon his shoulders. He presented them thus before the Lord, and when God looked down upon Aaron, He saw the names of His people indelibly engraven in white stones. The shoulder is the place of strength. The omnipotent strength of Christ is ours. He carries His peoples burdens and themselves too (Isa_63:9; Isa_40:11; Isa_46:4; Psa_55:22). The government is upon His shoulder, and the crown is upon His head. (G. Rodgers.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v12 Exo 28:12, Exo 28:29.
Exodus
THE NAMES ON AARON’S BREASTPLATE
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Exo 28:12, Exo 28:29.
Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, ‘Holiness to the Lord,’ and in those others upon his breastplate and his shoulder.
The breastplate was composed of folded cloth, in which were lodged twelve precious stones, in four rows of three, each stone containing the name of one of the tribes. It was held in position by the ephod, which consisted of another piece of cloth, with a back and front part, which were united into one on the shoulders. On each shoulder it was clasped by an onyx stone bearing the names of six of the tribes. Thus twice, on the shoulders, the seat of power, and on the heart, the organ of thought and of love, Aaron, entering into the presence of the Most High, bore ‘the names of the tribes for a memorial continually.’
Now, I think we shall not be indulging in the very dangerous amusement of unduly spiritualising the externalities of that old law if we see here, in these two things, some very important lessons.
I. The first one that I would suggest to you is-here we have the expression of the great truth of representation of the people by the priest.
The names of the tribes laid upon Aaron’s heart and on his shoulders indicated the significance of his office-that he represented Israel before God, as truly as he represented God to Israel. For the moment the personality of the official was altogether melted away and absorbed in the sanctity of his function, and he stood before God as the individualised nation. Aaron was Israel, and Israel was Aaron, for the purposes of worship. And that was indicated by the fact that here, on the shoulders from which, according to an obvious symbol, all acts of power emanate, and on the heart from which, according to most natural metaphor, all the outgoings of the personal life proceed, were written the names of the tribes. That meant, ‘This man standing here is the Israel of God, the concentrated nation.’
The same thought works the other way. The nation is the diffused priest, and all its individual components are consecrated to God. All this was external ceremonial, with no real spiritual fact at the back of it. But it pointed onwards to something that is not ceremonial. It pointed to this, that the true priest must, in like manner, gather up into himself, and in a very profound sense be, the people for whom he is the priest; and that they, in their turn, by the action of their own minds and hearts and wills, must consent to and recognise that representative relation, which comes to the solemn height of identification in Christ’s relation to His people. ‘I am the Vine, ye are the branches,’ says He, and also, ‘That they all may be one in us as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee.’ So Paul says, ‘I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.’ ‘The life which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God,’
So Christ gathers us all, if we will let Him, into Himself; and our lives may be hid with Him-in a fashion that is more than mere external and formal representation, or as people have a member of Parliament to represent them in the councils of the nation-even in a true union with Him in whom is the life of all of us, if we live in any real sense. Aaron bore the names of the tribes on shoulder and heart, and Israel was Aaron, and Aaron was Israel.
II. Further, we see here, in these eloquent symbols, the true significance of intercession.
Now, that is a word and a thought which has been wofully limited and made shallow and superficial by the unfortunate confining of the expression, in our ordinary language, to a mere action by speech. Intercession is supposed to be verbal asking for some good to be bestowed on, or some evil to be averted from, some one in whom we are interested. But the Old Testament notion of the priest’s intercession, and the New Testament use of the word which we so render, go far beyond any verbal utterances, and reach to the very heart of things. Intercession, in the true sense of the word, means the doing of any act whatsoever before God for His people by Jesus Christ. Whensoever, as in the presence of God, He brings to God anything which is His, that is intercession. He undertakes for them, not by words only, though His mighty word is, ‘I will that they whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am,’ but by acts which are more than even the words of the Incarnate Word.
If we take these two inscriptions upon which I am now commenting, we shall get, I think, what covers the whole ground of the intercession on which Christians are to repose their souls. For, with regard to the one of them, we read that the high priest’s breastplate was named ‘the breastplate of judgment’; and what that means is explained by the last words of the verse following that from which my text is taken: ‘Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord.’ Judgment means a judicial sentence; in this case a judicial sentence of acquittal. And that Aaron stood before God in the Holy Place, ministering with this breastplate upon his heart, is explained by the writer of these regulations to mean that he carried there the visible manifestation of Israel’s acquittal, based upon his own sacrificial function. Now, put that into plain English, and it is just this-Jesus Christ’s sacrifice ensures, for all those whose names are written on these gems on His heart, their acquittal in the judgment of Heaven. Or, in other words, the first step in the intercession of our great High Priest is the presenting before God for ever and ever that great fact that He, the Sinless, has died for the love of sinful men, and thereby has secured that the judgment of Heaven on them shall now be ‘no condemnation.’ Brethren, there is the root of all our hope in Christ, and of all that Christ is to individuals and to society-the assurance that the breastplate of judgment is on His heart, as a sign that all who trust Him are acquitted by the tribunal of Heaven.
The other side of this great continual act of intercession is set forth by the other symbol-the names written on the shoulders, the seat of power. There is a beautiful parallel, which yet at first sight does not seem to be one, to the thought that lies here, in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, where, addressing the restored and perfected Israel, he says, speaking in the person of Jehovah: ‘I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.’ That has precisely the same meaning that I take to be conveyed by this symbol in the text. The names of the tribes are written on His shoulders; and not until that arm is wearied or palsied, not till that strong hand forgets its cunning, will our defence fail. If our names are thus written on the seat of power, that means that all the divine authority and omnipotence which Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of the Father, wields in His state of royal glory, are exercised on behalf of, or at all events on the side of, those whose names He thus bears upon His shoulders. That is the guarantee for each of us that our hands shall be made strong, according to the ancient prophetic blessing, ‘by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.’ Just as a father or a mother will take their child’s little tremulous hand in theirs and hold it, that it may be strengthened for some small task beyond its unbacked, uninvigorated power; so Jesus Christ will give us strength within, and also will order the march of His Providence and send the gift of His Spirit, for the succour and the strengthening of all whose names are written on His ephod. He has gone within the veil. He has left us heavy tasks, but our names are on His shoulders, and we ‘can do all things in Christ who strengthened us.’
III. Still further, this symbol suggests to us the depth and reality of Christ’s sympathy.
The heart is, in our language, the seat of love. It is not so in the Old Testament. Affection is generally allocated to another part of the frame; but here the heart stands for the organ of care, of thought, of interest. For, according to the Old Testament view of the relation between man’s body and man’s soul, the very seat and centre of the individual life is in the heart. I suppose that was because it was known that, somehow or other, the blood came thence. Be that as it may, the thought is clear throughout all the Old Testament that the heart is the man, and the man is the heart. And so, if Jesus bears our names upon His heart, that does not express merely representation nor merely intercession, but it expresses also personal regard, individualising knowledge. For Aaron wore not one great jewel with ‘Israel’ written on it, but twelve little ones, with ‘Dan,’ ‘Benjamin,’ and ‘Ephraim,’ and all the rest of them, each on his own gem.
So we can say, ‘Such a High Priest became us, who could have compassion upon the ignorant, and upon them that are out of the way’; and we can fall back on that old-fashioned but inexhaustible source of consolation and strength: ‘In all their affliction He was afflicted’; and though the noise of the tempests which toss us can scarcely be supposed to penetrate into the veiled place where He dwells on high, yet we may be sure-and take all the peace and consolation and encouragement out of it that it is meant to give us-that ‘we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities,’ but that Himself, having known miseries, ‘is able to succour them that are tempted.’ Our names are on Christ’s heart.
IV. Then, lastly, we have here a suggestion of how precious to Aaron Israel is.
Jewels were chosen to symbolise the tribes. Bits of tin, potsherds, or anything else that one could have scratched letters upon, would have done quite as well. But ‘the precious things of the everlasting mountains’ were chosen to bear the dear names. ‘The Lord’s portion is His people’; and precious in the eyes of Christ are the souls for whom He has given so much. They are not only precious, but lustrous, flashing back the light in various colours indeed, according to their various laws of crystallisation, but all receptive of it and all reflective of it. I said that the names on the breastplate of judgment expressed the acquittal and acceptance of Israel. But does Christ’s work for us stop with simple acquittal? Oh no! ‘Whom He justified them He also glorified,’ And if our souls are ‘bound in the bundle of life,’ and our names are written on the heart of the Christ, be sure that mere forgiveness and acquittal is the least of the blessings which He intends to give, and that He will not be satisfied until in all our nature we receive and flash back the light of His own glory.
It is very significant in this aspect that the names of the twelve tribes are described as being written on the precious stones which make the walls of the New Jerusalem. Thus borne on Christ’s heart whilst He is within the veil and we are in the outer courts, we may hope to be carried by His sustaining and perfecting hand into the glories, and be made participant of the glories. Let us see to it that we write His name on our hearts, on their cares, their thought, their love, and on our hands, on their toiling and their possessing; and then, God helping us, and Christ dwelling in us, we shall come to the blessed state of those who serve Him, and bear His name flaming conspicuous for ever on their foreheads.
Alexander MacLaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture (1904–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv6, 12 ephod Gold, Deity in manifestation; blue, heavenly; purple, royalty;…
ephod Gold, Deity in manifestation; blue, heavenly; purple, royalty; scarlet, sacrifice; fine linen, personal righteousness, see margin ref., Exo 26:1.
(See Scofield "Exo 26:1").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v13 The Breastplate
The Breastplate
v. 13. And thou shalt make ouches of gold, clasps or buckles;
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v. 14. and two chains of pure gold at the ends, attached to the clasps; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, by braiding gold wire, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches, so that the buckles, which probably had the form of rosettes, were firmly attached to the braided chains, the entire ornament being intended for holding the breastplate.
v. 15. And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment, that being its full technical name, with cunning work, with the highest artistic workmanship; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen shalt thou make it.
v. 16. Foursquare it shall be being doubled, folded together to form a sort of pocket; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof, a span being half a cubit.
v. 17. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, fill its outer side with rows of precious gems, even four rows of stones. The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle; this shall be the first row.
v. 18. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
v. 19. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
v. 20. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper (or a chrysolite, a beryl, and a jasper); they shall be set in gold in their inclosings, that is, in their settings. The modern names pretty accurately reproduce the Hebrew names, and may be accepted as fairly exact. The settings of the stones seem to have been ornamental clasps, which were of value also in fastening the stones to the heavy cloth of the breastplate. "The twelve precious stones denote the variety, manifoldness, and totality of the natural and gracious gifts bestowed on the people of God, and united in the one spirit of heavenly preciousness. "
v. 21. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; everyone with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes, corresponding both in number and in names.
v. 22. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold. Cf v. 14.
v. 23. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate, evidently above.
v. 24. And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold, the braids of gold wire, in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
v. 25. And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, in the clasps connected with the onyx stones on the shoulders, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it.
v. 26. And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward, on the lower edge, on the rear, or inner, side, facing the ephod.
v. 27. And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. The description indicates that these rings were placed on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod in the center below, where it was held together above the girdle.
v. 28. And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof, that is, the lower rings, unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, with threads of the hyacinth material which was used in the weaving of the cloth, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod. It was not only to be prevented from moving up and down, but also from sliding back and forth as it was worn, and from falling forward as the high priest stooped over.
v. 29. And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment, of judicial sentence, upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place, for a memorial before the Lord continually, v. 12.
v. 30. And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment, in the pocket formed by its fold, the Urim and the Thummim (light and perfection; or revelation and truth); and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart when he goeth in before the Lord; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually, that is, the sentence of salvation, or righteousness, and the sentence of judgment; as the high priest he was the mediator between God and the people. Every high priest appearing before the Lord with the Urim and Thummim thereby became the advocate of the people, and usually received from the Lord such illumination as served to protect the children of Israel in their promised rights, Num 27:21. Christ is our High Priest. He is our Advocate with the Father; He reveals to us God’s light and truth, God’s gracious and good will toward us, by which we receive counsel and comfort in dark days. The Word of the Lord is a lamp unto our feet and a light upon our path.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 10, 13 General Information:
General Information:
Yahweh continues to tell Moses what the people must do.
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fine-twined linen
"finely-twisted linen." This was cloth made from fine linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
skillful craftsman
a person who can make beautiful objects by hand
it must be made of one piece
This can be stated in active form. AT: "they must make it in one piece" (See: Active or Passive)
onyx stones
These are valuable stones that have layers of white and black, red or brown. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:7. (See: Translate Unknowns)
translationWords
ephod
gold
Israel
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 12 28:6-14 The ephod was a kind of apron consisting…
28:6-14 The ephod was a kind of apron consisting of front and back pieces joined by shoulder straps (28:7) and secured by a decorative sash (28:8, 27-28). Perhaps it is mentioned first because it was understood to be the distinctive high priestly garment. The fact that Gideon later made a gold ephod (Judg 8:27) suggests that the garment was thought to have special powers.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.