King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When folded double it is to be square - a hand-span by a hand-span.
Berean Standard Bible:
It must be square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
American Standard Version:
Foursquare it shall be and double; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Foursquare{H7251} it shall be being doubled{H3717}; a span{H2239} shall be the length{H753} thereof, and a span{H2239} shall be the breadth{H7341} thereof.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 28:16
**Exodus 28:16** is a verse that describes specific instructions given by God to Moses for the creation of the breastpiece of the High Priest's ephod—a ceremonial garment worn during religious services in ancient Israel. The breastpiece was a square-shaped piece of cloth, adorned with precious stones and fastened with gold chains to the ephod. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Precision and Order:** The detailed measurements emphasize the importance of precision in the construction of sacred items, reflecting a broader theme of order and structure in divine worship.
2. **Representation of the Tribes:** The breastpiece symbolically carried the names of the twelve tribes of Israel before God, signifying that the priest interceded for the entire nation.
3. **Holiness and Separation:** The elaborate garments of the priesthood, including the breastpiece, served to set apart the priests (and especially the High Priest) as holy and dedicated to God's service.
4. **Symbolism of Closeness to God:** Wearing the names of the tribes over his heart as he entered the Holy Place symbolized the priest's role in carrying the people's concerns before God.
**Historical Context:**
The instructions in Exodus 28 were given to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as they were establishing themselves as a nation under God's law. The detailed prescriptions for priestly garments reflect the intricate rituals and laws that were part of the Mosaic covenant, which governed the religious and social life of the Israelites.
During this period, the Israelites were transitioning from a loose collection of tribes into a more structured society with a centralized system of worship. The elaborate descriptions of the priestly garments, including the breastpiece, highlight the significance of the priesthood and the sanctuary as the focal point of Israelite religious life. The precise dimensions and materials used for the breastpiece not only pointed to the sanctity of the priesthood but also to the meticulous care required in the presence of God.
*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: H7251
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבַע
Transliteration: râbaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-bah'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with רָבַע through the idea of sprawling 'at all fours' (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare אַרְבַּע); properly, to be four (sided); used only as denominative of רֶבַע; to be quadrate; (four-) square(-d). - Strong's Number: H3717
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּפַל
Transliteration: kâphal
Pronunciation: kaw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fold together; figuratively, to repeat; double. - Strong's Number: H2239
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶרֶת
Transliteration: zereth
Pronunciation: zeh'-reth
Description: from זָרָה; the spread of the fingers, i.e. a span; span. - Strong's Number: H753
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹרֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼôrek
Pronunciation: o'rek'
Description: from אָרַךְ; length; [phrase] forever, length, long. - Strong's Number: H7341
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹחַב
Transliteration: rôchab
Pronunciation: ro'-khab
Description: from רָחַב; width (literally or figuratively); breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness.