King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Make a breastplate for judging. Have it crafted by a skilled artisan; make it like the work of the ritual vest - make it of gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen.
Berean Standard Bible:
You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt make{H6213} the breastplate{H2833} of judgment{H4941} with cunning{H2803} work{H4639}; after the work{H4639} of the ephod{H646} thou shalt make{H6213} it; of gold{H2091}, of blue{H8504}, and of purple{H713}, and of scarlet{H8144}{H8438}, and of fine twined{H7806} linen{H8336}, shalt thou make{H6213} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 28:30
- And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; 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.
Exodus 28:4
- And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exodus 39:8
- And he made the breastplate [of] cunning work, like the work of the ephod; [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 39:21
- And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Leviticus 8:8
- And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
Exodus 26:1
- ¶ Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle [with] ten curtains [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
Exodus 28:6
- ¶ And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 28:15
1. Themes:
- Divine Instruction: Exodus 28:15 reflects the theme of God's detailed instructions to Moses for the construction of the high priest's garments, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and the use of specific materials.
- Holiness and Covenant: The breastplate of judgment is a sacred item, part of the high priest's attire, signifying the holiness required to approach God and mediate between Him and the Israelites.
- Representation: The breastplate holds significant symbolic value, as it is later described to contain twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the priest's role in bearing the people before God.
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is set in the context of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during their wilderness wanderings. God is establishing a covenant with the people, with the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) as the center of worship and the place where His presence dwells.
- The instructions for the priestly garments, including the breastplate, are part of the broader instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and the establishment of the priesthood. This period marks the formal institution of the Israelite priesthood and the ritual practices that set them apart as a nation consecrated to God.
- The materials listed (gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen) were luxurious and often associated with royalty or divinity in the ancient Near East. Their use in the breastplate underscores the sanctity and splendor of the priestly office.
In summary, Exodus 28:15 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the creation of the high priest's garments, which are to be made with skill and care using precious materials. This command reflects themes of divine instruction, holiness, covenant, and representation, and is set against the backdrop of the establishment of the Israelite religious system during the time of the exodus and wilderness wanderings.
*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: 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: H2833
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹשֶׁן
Transliteration: chôshen
Pronunciation: kho'-shen
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest; breastplate. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H2803
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָשַׁב
Transliteration: châshab
Pronunciation: khaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute; (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. - 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: H646
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵפוֹד
Transliteration: ʼêphôwd
Pronunciation: ay-fode'
Description: rarely אֵפֹד; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image; ephod. - 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. - Strong's Number: H8504
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּכֵלֶת
Transliteration: tᵉkêleth
Pronunciation: tek-ay'-leth
Description: probably for שְׁחֶלֶת; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith; blue. - Strong's Number: H713
There are 465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְגָּמָן
Transliteration: ʼargâmân
Pronunciation: ar-gaw-mawn'
Description: of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed stuff); purple. - Strong's Number: H8144
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנִי
Transliteration: shânîy
Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread). - Strong's Number: H8438
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹלָע
Transliteration: tôwlâʻ
Pronunciation: to-law'
Description: and (feminine) תּוֹלֵעָה; or תּוֹלַעַת; or תֹּלַעַת; from יָלַע; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of שָׁנִי); the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed therewith; crimson, scarlet, worm. - Strong's Number: H7806
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁזַר
Transliteration: shâzar
Pronunciation: shaw-zar'
Description: a primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw); twine. - Strong's Number: H8336
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: or (for alliteration with מֶשִׁי) שְׁשִׁי; for שַׁיִשׁ; bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble; [idiom] blue, fine (twined) linen, marble, silk.