King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The stones will correspond to the names of the twelve sons of Isra'el; they are to be engraved with their names as a seal would be engraved, to represent the twelve tribes.
Berean Standard Bible:
The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
American Standard Version:
And the stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, every one according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the stones{H68} shall be with the names{H8034} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, twelve{H8147}{H6240}, according to their names{H8034}, like the engravings{H6603} of a signet{H2368}; every one{H376} with his name{H8034} shall they be according to the twelve{H8147}{H6240} tribes{H7626}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 7:4
- And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Revelation 7:8
- Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Revelation 21:12
- And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
1 Kings 18:31
- And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
Luke 22:30
- That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
James 1:1
- ¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
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Commentary for Exodus 28:21
Exodus 28:21 is part of a larger section in the Book of Exodus that details the instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the priestly garments. These garments were to be worn by Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, who would serve as priests in the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness. The verse specifically refers to the breastplate (hoshen) of the high priest, which was a square-shaped piece of fabric adorned with four rows of precious stones, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the establishment of the Israelite priesthood and the codification of worship practices following the Exodus from Egypt. The breastplate was not merely decorative but held symbolic significance, as it was meant to represent the entire nation of Israel before God. The stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes, served as a constant reminder that the high priest carried the names of the Israelites close to his heart when he entered the Holy Place to minister before God. This act of representation underscored the themes of unity, identity, and the special relationship between God and His chosen people.
The engravings of the stones were likened to that of a signet, an ancient tool used to impress a unique mark or seal onto documents or clay, signifying ownership, authority, and authenticity. In a similar way, the names of the tribes engraved on the breastplate signified God's ownership of and authority over the people of Israel, as well as the authenticity of their covenant relationship with Him. The precise nature of the stones and the method of engraving are not detailed in the verse, but the comparison to a signet suggests that the names were clearly and permanently inscribed, reflecting the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel.
In summary, Exodus 28:21 encapsulates the intricate detail and symbolic importance of the high priest's attire in ancient Israelite worship. It highlights the themes of divine representation, national identity, and covenantal relationship, as the high priest symbolically bore the names of all the tribes of Israel in his sacred duties, uniting the people before 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: 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: 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: 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: H6240
There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂר
Transliteration: ʻâsâr
Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). - 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: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7626
There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁבֶט
Transliteration: shêbeṭ
Pronunciation: shay'-bet
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan; [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.