Exodus 28:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

Complete Jewish Bible:

the third row an orange zircon, an agate and an amethyst;

Berean Standard Bible:

in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

American Standard Version:

and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the third{H7992} row{H2905} a ligure{H3958}, an agate{H7618}, and an amethyst{H306}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 54:12

  • And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

Exodus 39:12

  • And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

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Commentary for Exodus 28:19

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Instructions:** Exodus 28:19 is part of a detailed description of the high priest's garments, which God commanded Moses to create. The specificity of the instructions underscores the importance of the priestly role and the sanctity of the worship space.
- **Symbolism of Stones:** The stones mentioned—ligure (likely a green stone), agate (banded chalcedony), and amethyst (purple quartz)—are thought to represent various tribes of Israel. The exact correspondence of stones to tribes is a matter of scholarly debate, but the overarching theme is one of unity in diversity, with each tribe (and thus each stone) contributing to the whole.
- **Holiness and Glory:** The precious stones adorning the high priest's breastplate symbolize the glory and holiness of God, reflecting the divine presence that resided with the Israelites.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus Era:** The verse is set during the time of the Exodus, when the Israelites were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. This period marks the formation of the Israelite nation and the establishment of their religious practices and identity.
- **Wilderness Wanderings:** The instructions for the priestly garments were given during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, en route to the Promised Land. This was a time when God was establishing the covenant with Israel and instructing them on how to live as a holy nation.
- **Cultic Worship:** The detailed prescriptions for worship, including the high priest's attire, were part of the broader Mosaic Law, which governed religious and social life. The priestly garments were integral to the tabernacle (and later the temple) worship rituals, which were central to Israelite religious practice.

In summary, Exodus 28:19 reflects the themes of divine guidance, symbolic representation of the tribes of Israel, and the sanctity of worship. It is set against the backdrop of the formative years of the Israelite nation, as they received the Law and established their religious identity under the leadership of Moses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H7992
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁלִישִׁי
    Transliteration: shᵉlîyshîy
    Pronunciation: shel-ee-shee'
    Description: ordinal from שָׁלוֹשׁ; third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell); third (part, rank, time), three (years old).
  2. Strong's Number: H2905
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טוּר
    Transliteration: ṭûwr
    Pronunciation: toor
    Description: from an unused root meaning to range in a regular manner; a row; hence, a wall; row.
  3. Strong's Number: H3958
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֶשֶׁם
    Transliteration: leshem
    Pronunciation: leh'-shem
    Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a gem, perhaps the jacinth; ligure.
  4. Strong's Number: H7618
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁבוּ
    Transliteration: shᵉbûw
    Pronunciation: sheb-oo'
    Description: from an unused root (probably identical with that of שָׁבָה through the idea of subdivision into flashes or streamers (compare שָׁבִיב) meaning to flame; a gem (from its sparkle), probably the agate; agate.
  5. Strong's Number: H306
    There are 6400 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַחְלָמָה
    Transliteration: ʼachlâmâh
    Pronunciation: akh-law'-maw
    Description: perhaps from חָלַם (and thus dream-stone); a gem, probably the amethyst; amethyst.