King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They worked the onyx stones, mounted in gold settings, engraving them with the names of the sons of Isra'el as they would be engraved on a seal.
Berean Standard Bible:
They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
American Standard Version:
And they wrought the onyx stones, inclosed in settings of gold, graven with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they wrought{H6213} onyx{H7718} stones{H68} inclosed{H4142} in ouches{H4865} of gold{H2091}, graven{H6605}, as signets{H2368} are graven{H6603}, with the names{H8034} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 28:9
- And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Ezekiel 28:13
- Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Job 28:16
- It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
Exodus 25:7
- Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
Exodus 35:9
- And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 39:6
**Exodus 39:6 Summary:**
**Themes:**
- **Divine Craftsmanship:** The verse highlights the skill and artistry involved in creating sacred items for the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of beauty and excellence in worship.
- **Representation:** The inclusion of the names of the tribes of Israel on the onyx stones symbolizes the unity and identity of the nation before God.
- **Priestly Role:** The stones are set in gold, reflecting the preciousness and holiness of the priestly duties, with the high priest bearing the names of the tribes as he ministers before God.
**Historical Context:**
- **Setting:** This event occurs during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- **Purpose:** The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, including the ephod and breastpiece worn by the high priest, were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The breastpiece held twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the high priest's role in carrying the people before God.
- **Craftsmanship:** The work was done by skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, and their team, who were filled with the Spirit of God to carry out this sacred task. The use of gold and onyx reflects the value and dignity associated with the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
- **Cultural Significance:** Signet rings were used in the ancient Near East as official seals and symbols of authority. Graving the names of the tribes onto the onyx stones like signets may imply a sense of ownership, authority, and covenantal relationship between God and His people.
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle, which served as the place of God's dwelling among His people during their journey to Canaan. The meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's creation reflects the holiness of God and the reverence with which the Israelites were to approach Him.
*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: H7718
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֹׁהַם
Transliteration: shôham
Pronunciation: sho'-ham
Description: from an unused root probably mean to blanch; a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color); onyx. - 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: 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. - 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: 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: 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: 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.