Exodus 28:10

KJV

Six of their names on one stone, and [the other] six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Six {H8337} of their names {H8034} on one {H259} stone {H68}, and the other six {H8337} names {H8034} of the rest {H3498} on the other {H8145} stone {H68}, according to their birth {H8435}.

Complete Jewish Bible

six of their names on one stone and the six remaining names on the other, in the order of their birth.

Berean Standard Bible

six of their names on one stone and the remaining six on the other, in the order of their birth.

American Standard Version

six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 28:10 provides precise divine instructions for the engraving of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel onto the two onyx stones of the high priest's ephod. Six names were to be placed on one stone and the remaining six on the other, meticulously ordered "according to their birth." This detailed command underscored the high priest's profound role as the perpetual representative of the entire nation, bearing their identity and presence continually before the Lord within the sacred space of the tabernacle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an essential component of God's highly detailed instructions to Moses regarding the sacred garments for Aaron, the first high priest, as outlined in [Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - Instructions for Priestly Garments"). Specifically, it follows [Exodus 28:9](/exodus/28-9 "Exodus 28:9 - The Onyx Stones on the Ephod"), which describes the two onyx stones themselves, destined to be set in intricate gold filigree on the ephod's shoulder pieces. The ephod, a central and ornate priestly vestment, symbolized the high priest's unique mediatorial role between God and Israel. The engraving of the tribal names on these stones, elaborated in [Exodus 28:10-12](/exodus/28-10-12 "Exodus 28:10-12 - Names on the Onyx Stones and Their Significance"), was far more than mere decoration; it was a deeply symbolic act ensuring that the high priest carried the identity and perpetual memorial of the entire nation into the Lord's presence. This particular instruction for the precise division and ordering of the names highlights the divine emphasis on order, completeness, and the continuous representation of God's chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, names carried immense significance, often conveying a person's identity, character, and even destiny. To "bear a name" or have one's name "engraved" implied a permanent, enduring connection, remembrance, and often, authority. Stones, particularly precious ones like onyx, were frequently employed for memorials, seals, and inscriptions due to their inherent durability, symbolizing permanence, unchangeability, and divine decree. While the concept of a representative figure carrying the names or symbols of his people was not entirely unique in the ancient world, in Israel, it was profoundly imbued with covenantal meaning. The high priest, by bearing the names of the twelve tribes "according to their birth" (likely following the traditional birth order of Jacob's sons, though sometimes with variations), visually and symbolically represented the entire covenant community before Yahweh. This act of bearing the names on his shoulders, a place traditionally associated with strength and the bearing of burdens, underscored the high priest's solemn responsibility for the spiritual well-being and intercession on behalf of all the people, ensuring their constant "memorial" before God, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 28:12](/exodus/28-12 "Exodus 28:12 - A Memorial Before the Lord").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 28:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Order and Meticulousness**, showcasing God's precise instructions for worship and the priestly office, leaving no detail to chance. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Representation and Mediation**, central to the high priest's role, as he stands as the designated intercessor for the entire nation before God. This act of bearing names also underscores **Divine Remembrance and Covenant Faithfulness**, assuring Israel that they are perpetually in God's thoughts and presence, a people bound to Him by an enduring covenant. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Unity and Identity of Israel**, reinforcing their collective identity as the twelve tribes, a single people chosen by God, despite their individual tribal distinctions. The instructions for the priestly garments, including these stones, are foundational to understanding the elaborate system of worship established at Sinai, designed to facilitate God's holy presence among His people, as seen throughout [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle and Priestly Garments").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Names (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** The Hebrew word שֵׁם (_shêm_), appearing here in its plural form, signifies far more than a mere label; it encapsulates the full identity, character, reputation, and very essence of an individual or group. In biblical thought, to "know someone's name" is to possess intimate knowledge of their being. Here, the engraving of the tribal names means that the complete identity and essence of each tribe, representing every individual within it, was brought into the sacred space and presented before God. It speaks profoundly to God's intimate knowledge, personal relationship, and perpetual remembrance of His people.
* **Stone (Hebrew, _ʼeben'_):** The Hebrew word אֶבֶן (_ʼeben_) refers to a stone, specifically a precious onyx stone in this context. Stones, by their inherent nature, are characterized by durability, solidity, and permanence. Their use for engraving implies an enduring record and an unchangeable decree. Unlike more perishable materials like parchment or fabric, an inscription on stone is difficult to erase, symbolizing the unchanging nature of God's covenant promises and His perpetual remembrance of His people. The hardness and lasting quality of the stone also serve to emphasize the enduring nature of the divine memorial.
* **Birth (Hebrew, _tôwlᵉdâh'_):** The phrase "according to their birth" translates from the Hebrew לְתוֹלְדֹתָם (le-toldotam), derived from תּוֹלְדָה (_tôwlᵉdâh_), which in its plural form means "generations," "descendants," or "births." This specifies the precise sequential order in which the names were to be engraved, almost certainly following the traditional birth order of Jacob's sons. This instruction underscores the divine emphasis on order, the historical continuity of the covenant people, and the inclusion of every tribe in its proper, divinely ordained place within the broader economy of God's plan, ensuring that no one was overlooked or forgotten.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Six of their names on one stone":** This clause explicitly dictates the initial division of the twelve tribal names. Six names were to be meticulously engraved onto the first of the two precious onyx stones. This precise numerical instruction highlights the divine insistence on order, balance, and a systematic approach to the representation of the tribes.
* **"and the other six names of the rest on the other stone":** Complementing the first part, this instruction mandates that the remaining six names were to be engraved on the second onyx stone. Together, these two stones would bear the names of all twelve tribes, thereby ensuring a complete and comprehensive representation of the entire nation of Israel before the Lord in the tabernacle.
* **"according to their birth":** This crucial and specific phrase defines the sequential arrangement for the names. It signifies that the names were not to be placed randomly or arbitrarily but rather in the established order of the sons of Jacob (Israel). This adherence to historical lineage underscored the divinely ordained structure of the tribes and reinforced their collective identity as a unified, covenant people, rooted deeply in their patriarchal heritage.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 28:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the two onyx stones themselves symbolizing permanence, value, and the enduring nature of God's covenant. The engraved names are a powerful **symbol** representing the entire identity, presence, and collective being of the twelve tribes of Israel. The act of placing these stones on the high priest's shoulders is a vivid **symbol** of his immense burden, responsibility, and strength in bearing the people before God, acting as their intercessor and representative. The names themselves function as a form of **metonymy**, where the names stand in for the people themselves, signifying that the people, in their entirety, were continually brought into God's holy presence. The precise division of "six on one stone, and the other six on the other" demonstrates a clear emphasis on **order** and **completeness**, reflecting God's meticulous nature and His desire for every part of His covenant people to be remembered and represented. This structured arrangement also subtly conveys the **unity** of the tribes despite their physical division across two distinct stones.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:10 powerfully illustrates the themes of divine remembrance, priestly representation, and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. The high priest, by bearing the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders, physically and symbolically carried the entire nation into the very presence of God. This act served as a perpetual memorial, reminding God of His covenant people and signifying the priest's intercessory role on their behalf. It underscores the profound truth that God knows His people intimately, remembers them constantly, and desires their presence before Him, facilitated through the appointed mediator. This imagery profoundly foreshadows a greater High Priest who would perfectly fulfill this role, not merely as a symbol, but as the very embodiment of divine intercession and representation.

* [Exodus 28:12](/exodus/28-12 "Exodus 28:12 - A Memorial Before the Lord")
* [Numbers 1:1-16](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel")
* [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Ministry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid image of the high priest bearing the names of the tribes on his shoulders offers profound comfort and assurance for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that we are never forgotten by God; rather, we are continually remembered, known by name, and represented in His holy presence. Just as the ancient Israelites were carried by their high priest into the tabernacle, so too are we, as the new covenant people of God, carried by our perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, into the heavenly sanctuary. This truth should inspire unwavering confidence in prayer, knowing that our High Priest intercedes for us without ceasing, presenting our petitions and our very selves before the Father. It also calls us to consider our own roles as "a royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), to bear one another's burdens, to pray for our fellow believers, and to intercede for the world, reflecting the very heart of our Lord. Our names, too, are eternally inscribed, not on perishable stones, but in the Lamb's Book of Life, a far more enduring and infinitely more significant record.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the high priest bearing the names of the tribes on his shoulders deepen your understanding of God's personal remembrance and intimate knowledge of you?**
* **In what specific ways does the concept of Christ as our High Priest, perpetually bearing our names before God, bring you comfort and assurance in your daily walk of faith?**
* **Considering the high priest's role, how can we, as members of the body of Christ, practically embody the spirit of bearing one another's burdens and faithfully interceding for others in our communities and beyond?**

### FAQ

**Why were the names engraved on stones and not, for example, embroidered on cloth?**

Answer: The divine choice of durable onyx stones for engraving was deeply symbolic and highly practical. Stones, by their very nature, represent permanence, endurance, and immutability. Unlike fabric, which is prone to fraying, fading, or decay, an inscription on stone is designed to last indefinitely, symbolizing the eternal nature of God's covenant with His people and His unchanging remembrance of them. This contrasts sharply with the temporary and fragile nature of human life and emphasizes the enduring memorial that the high priest carried before the Lord, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 28:12](/exodus/28-12 "Exodus 28:12 - A Memorial Before the Lord"). This choice also aligns with other significant divine inscriptions on stone, such as the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone ([Exodus 31:18](/exodus/31-18 "Exodus 31:18 - Tablets of Stone")), reinforcing the idea of an unchangeable divine decree.

**Why were the names placed on the high priest's shoulders?**

Answer: The placement of the onyx stones on the high priest's shoulders is profoundly symbolic of strength, authority, and the bearing of burdens. The shoulders are a natural and powerful place to carry weight, signifying the high priest's immense responsibility to represent and intercede for the entire nation of Israel before God. It communicates that he literally "carried" the people—their identity, their needs, their sins, and their very being—into the holy presence of God. This powerful imagery serves as a striking foreshadowing of the ultimate burden-bearer, Jesus Christ, who would not only bear the government on His shoulder as the Prince of Peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - A Child is Born")) but also bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, ultimately bearing the sins of the world on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:10 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Just as the earthly high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders as a perpetual memorial before God, so too does Jesus, our heavenly High Priest, continually bear us—His redeemed people, the true Israel—in the very presence of God the Father. He does not carry our names on physical stones, but our very being, our identity, and our eternal destiny are eternally inscribed in His heart and remembered before the throne of grace. [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") beautifully articulates Christ's role as our sympathetic High Priest, who has passed through the heavens and now lives to intercede on our behalf. Unlike Aaron, whose ministry was limited by his mortality and sinfulness, Christ's priesthood is eternal and perfect ([Hebrews 7:23-25](/hebrews/7-23-25 "Hebrews 7:23-25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), meaning His representation and intercession for us are ceaseless, fully effective, and eternally secure. We are eternally "in Christ," presented blameless and beloved before the Father, not by our own merit but by His perfect sacrifice and ongoing advocacy ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). This profound truth provides immeasurable comfort and assurance, knowing that our High Priest, who knows us by name, perpetually presents us before God, securing our access and standing in the heavenly courts.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 1:1

¶ Now these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

Exodus 1:4

Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Genesis 43:33

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.