King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
An engraver should engrave the names of the sons of Isra'el on the two stones as he would engrave a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings,
Berean Standard Bible:
Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
With the work{H4639} of an engraver{H2796} in stone{H68}, like the engravings{H6603} of a signet{H2368}, shalt thou engrave{H6605} the two{H8147} stones{H68} with the names{H8034} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}: thou shalt make{H6213} them to be set{H4142} in ouches{H4865} of gold{H2091}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 28:25
- And [the other] two ends of the two wreathen [chains] thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put [them] on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
Exodus 28:21
- And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
Exodus 39:6
- And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Revelation 7:2
- And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
2 Timothy 2:19
- ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Exodus 28:36
- And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Jeremiah 22:24
- [As] I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 28:11
**Themes:**
Exodus 28:11 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the creation of the high priest's garments, specifically the breastplate (hoshen). The verse highlights several key themes:
1. **Divine Precision and Craftsmanship:** The explicit instructions for engraving the stones reflect the importance of precision and skill in the service of God. The work is to be akin to that of a skilled engraver, emphasizing the value and holiness of the task.
2. **Representation of the People:** The stones are to be engraved with the names of the children of Israel, symbolizing that the high priest bears the names of the tribes of Israel close to his heart as he ministers before God, representing the people in the sanctuary.
3. **Holiness and Value:** The use of gold ouches to set the stones signifies the preciousness and sanctity of the priestly role, as well as the value of each tribe in the sight of God.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Exodus narrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. After the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, God commands Moses to construct a tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for God's presence, along with sacred vessels and garments for the priests.
During this period, around the 13th century BCE, the Israelites were transitioning from a loose confederation of tribes into a nation. The establishment of the priesthood and the detailed instructions for worship were crucial in unifying the people under a common religious identity and system of worship.
The breastplate of the high priest, mentioned in Exodus 28:11, was not only a piece of religious attire but also a symbolic representation of the unity and equality of the tribes of Israel before God. The priest's role was to mediate between God and the people, and the breastplate, with the names of the tribes engraved on precious stones, was a physical manifestation of this mediatorial role.
The instructions for the high priest's garments, including the engraved stones, would have been carried out by skilled craftsmen, such as Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God for the task (Exodus 31:1-6). The historical context underscores the importance of craftsmanship, adherence to divine instructions, and the centrality of the priesthood in the religious life of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4639
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
Transliteration: maʻăseh
Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. - Strong's Number: H2796
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרָשׁ
Transliteration: chârâsh
Pronunciation: khaw-rawsh'
Description: from חָרַשׁ; a fabricator or any material; artificer, ([phrase]) carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, [phrase] mason, skilful, ([phrase]) smith, worker, workman, such as wrought. - Strong's Number: H68
There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶבֶן
Transliteration: ʼeben
Pronunciation: eh'-ben
Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). - Strong's Number: H6603
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פִּתּוּחַ
Transliteration: pittûwach
Pronunciation: pit-too'-akh
Description: or פִּתֻּחַ ; passive participle of פָּתַח; sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio); carved (work) (are, en-) grave(-ing, -n). - Strong's Number: H2368
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹתָם
Transliteration: chôwthâm
Pronunciation: kho-thawm'
Description: or חֹתָם; from חָתַם; a signature-ring; seal, signet. - Strong's Number: H6605
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּתַח
Transliteration: pâthach
Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H4142
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּסַבָּה
Transliteration: mûwçabbâh
Pronunciation: moo-sab-baw'
Description: or מֻסַבָּה; feminine of מוּסָב; a reversal, i.e. the backside (of a gem), fold (of a double-leaved door), transmutation (of a name); being changed, inclosed, be set, turning. - Strong's Number: H4865
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁבְּצָה
Transliteration: mishbᵉtsâh
Pronunciation: mish-bets-aw'
Description: from שָׁבַץ; a brocade; by analogy, a (reticulated) setting of agem; ouch, wrought. - Strong's Number: H2091
There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָהָב
Transliteration: zâhâb
Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.