TRV
Translation
King James Version
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Complete Jewish Bible
Put on it settings of stones, four rows of stones: the first row is to be a carnelian, a topaz and an emerald;
Berean Standard Bible
And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;
American Standard Version
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row;
World English Bible Messianic
You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row;
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then thou shalt set it full of places for stones, euen foure rowes of stones: the order shalbe this, a rubie, a topaze, and a carbuncle in the first rowe.
Young's Literal Translation
`And thou hast set in it settings of stone, four rows of stone; a row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle is the first row;
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In the KJVVerse 2,311 of 31,102
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Commentary on Exodus 28 verses 15–30
15 ¶ And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
21 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.
22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
The most considerable of the ornaments of the high priest was this breast-plate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously wrought with gold and purple, etc., two spans long and a span broad, so that, being doubled, it was a span square, Exo 28:16. This was fastened to the ephod with wreathen chains of gold (Exo 28:13, Exo 28:14, Exo 28:22, etc.) both at top and bottom, so that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod, Exo 28:28. The ephod was the garment of service; the breast-plate of judgment was an emblem of honour: these two must by no means be separated. If any man will minister unto the Lord, and do his will, he shall know his doctrine. In this breast-plate,
I. The tribes of Israel were recommended to God's favour in twelve precious stones, Exo 28:17-21, Exo 28:19. Some question whether Levi had a precious stone with his name or no. If not, Ephraim and Manasseh were reckoned distinct, as Jacob had said they should be, and the high priest himself, being head of the tribe of Levi, sufficiently represented that tribe. If there was a stone for Levi, as is intimated by this, that they were engraven according to their birth (Exo 28:10), Ephraim and Manasseh were one in Joseph. Aaron was to bear their names for a memorial before the Lord continually, being ordained for men, to represent them in things pertaining to God, herein typifying our great high priest, who always appears in the presence of God for us. 1. Though the people were forbidden to come near, and obliged to keep their distance, yet by the high priest, who had their names on his breast-plate, they entered into the holiest; so believers, even while they are here on this earth, not only enter into the holiest, but by faith are made to sit with Christ in heavenly places, Eph 2:6. 2. The name of each tribe was engraven in a precious stone, to signify how precious, in God's sight, believers are, and how honourable, Isa 43:4. They shall be his in the day he makes up his jewels, Mal 3:17. How small and poor soever the tribe was, it was a precious stone in the breast-plate of the high priest; thus are all the saints dear to Christ, and his delight is in them as the excellent ones of the earth, however men may esteem them as earthen pitchers, Lam 4:2. 3. The high priest had the names of the tribes both on his shoulders and on his breast, intimating both the power and the love with which our Lord Jesus intercedes for those that are his. He not only bears them up upon his heart, as the expression here is (Exo 28:29), carries them in his bosom (Isa 40:11), with the most tender affection. How near should Christ's name be to our hearts, since he is pleased to lay our names so near his! and what a comfort it is to us, in all our addresses to God, that the great high priest of our profession has the names of all his Israel upon his breast before the Lord for a memorial, presenting them to God as the people of his choice, who were to be made accepted in the beloved! Let not any good Christians fear that God has forgotten them, nor question his being mindful of them upon all occasions, when they are not only engraven upon the palms of his hands (Isa 49:16), but engraven upon the heart of the great intercessor. See Sol 8:6.
II. The urim and thummim, by which the will of God was made known in doubtful cases, were put in this breast-plate, which is therefore called the breast-plate of judgment, Exo 28:30. Urim and thummim signify light and integrity; many conjectures there are among the learned what they were; we have no reason to think they were any thing that Moses was to make more than what was before ordered, so that either God made them himself, and gave them to Moses, for him to put into the breast-plate, when other things were prepared (Lev 8:8), or no more is meant than a declaration of the further use of what was already ordered to be made. I think the words may be read thus, And thou shalt give, or add, or deliver, to the breast-plate of judgment, the illuminations and perfections, and they shall be upon the heart of Aaron; that is, "He shall be endued with a power of knowing and making known the mind of God in all difficult doubtful cases, relating either to the civil or ecclesiastical state of the nation." Their government was a theocracy: God was their King, the high priest was, under God, their ruler, the urim and thummim were his cabinet-council; probably Moses wrote upon the breast-plate, or wove into it, these words, Urim and Thummim, to signify that the high priest, having on him this breast-plate, and asking counsel of God in any emergency relating to the public, should be directed to take those measures, and give that advice, which God would own. If he was standing before the ark (but without the veil) probably he received instructions from off the mercy-seat, as Moses did (Exo 25:22); thus, it should seem, Phinehas did, Jdg 20:27, Jdg 20:28. If he was at a distance from the ark, as Abiathar was when he enquired of the Lord for David (Sa1 23:6, etc.), then the answer was given either by a voice from heaven or rather by an impulse upon the mind of the high priest, which last is perhaps intimated in that expression, He shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart. This oracle was of great use to Israel; Joshua consulted it (Num 27:21), and, it is likely, the judges after him. It was lost in the captivity, and never regained after, though, it should seem, it was expected, Ezr 2:63. But it was a shadow of good things to come, and the substance is Christ. He is our oracle; by him God in these last days makes known himself and his mind to us, Heb 1:2; Joh 1:18. Divine revelation centres in him, and comes to us through him; he is the light, the true light, the faithful witness, the truth itself, and from him we receive the Spirit of truth, who leads into all truth. The joining of the breast-plate to the ephod denotes that his prophetical office was founded in his priesthood; and it was by the merit of his death that he purchased this honour for himself and this favour for us. It was the Lamb that had been slain that was worthy to take the book and to open the seals, Rev 5:9.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–30. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 28:17 provides the meticulous divine blueprint for the high priest's breastplate, specifically detailing the first of its four rows of precious gemstones: the sardius, topaz, and carbuncle. This verse is integral to God's precise instructions for the sacred priestly garments, underscoring the divine order, beauty, and profound symbolism intended for worship, and foreshadowing the breastplate's crucial role in representing the twelve tribes of Israel perpetually before the Lord.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 28:17 employs several literary devices to convey its message. Precision and Detail are paramount, evident in the exhaustive enumeration of materials, dimensions, and specific gemstones. God's instructions leave no room for human improvisation, emphasizing the sanctity and divine origin of the Tabernacle and its service. Symbolism is also profoundly at play; each stone, though not explicitly linked to a tribe in this verse, is part of a larger symbolic system where the twelve gems represent the twelve tribes of Israel, highlighting the high priest's role as a representative and intercessor. The Repetition of "first row" at the beginning and end of the clause serves to emphasize and confirm the specific composition of this initial set of stones, reinforcing the divine order and the importance of adhering to the exact specifications.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:17, while seemingly a technical detail, profoundly reveals God's character and His intimate relationship with His people. The meticulous selection and arrangement of precious stones underscore God's desire for beauty, order, and excellence in worship, reflecting His own glory and the splendor of His presence. More significantly, the breastplate, with its embedded stones representing each tribe, symbolizes God's intimate knowledge of and personal value for every individual within His covenant community. It speaks to the theme of divine election and the constant representation of His people before His presence, ensuring their remembrance and favor. This act of bearing the names before the Lord prefigures the ultimate intercessory work of Christ, our Great High Priest.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine precision in designing the high priest's breastplate, down to the specific order and type of each gemstone, offers a powerful reflection on God's character. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved in the minutiae of His creation and, more profoundly, in the lives of His people. Just as each tribe was uniquely represented by a precious stone, so too are we, as individual believers, known, valued, and carried in the heart of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. This passage calls us to consider the immense privilege of being known by God and the profound responsibility of living as His representatives in the world. It reminds us that our worship and service should reflect the same commitment to excellence, order, and intentionality that God Himself demonstrates, and that, like the high priest, we are called to bear one another's burdens and intercede for the world, embodying the love and care that God has for humanity. Our lives, like the breastplate, should be a beautiful display of God's grace, reflecting His glory to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were specific gemstones chosen for the breastplate?
Answer: The selection of specific gemstones was not arbitrary but was a direct divine command, emphasizing God's meticulous design for the sacred garments. Each stone was precious and distinct, symbolizing the unique identity and value of each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The variety in color and brilliance also contributed to the overall beauty and glory of the high priest's attire, reflecting the splendor of God's presence and the preciousness of His people in His sight. This divine instruction underscores that every detail of the Tabernacle and its service was to be a precise reflection of heavenly realities, as indicated in Hebrews 8:5.
What is the significance of the "four rows of stones" mentioned in the verse?
Answer: The instruction for "four rows of stones" is significant because it dictates the arrangement of the twelve total gemstones, with three stones in each row, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. This structured arrangement ensured that each tribe was individually represented and visually prominent on the breastplate. It underscores the divine order and completeness of God's covenant people, all brought into His presence through the high priest. This systematic representation highlights God's comprehensive care for all His people, from the least to the greatest, as seen throughout the biblical narrative of Israel.
Are the modern identifications of the gemstones mentioned in Exodus 28:17 certain?
Answer: While scholars have made educated guesses based on linguistic analysis, ancient texts, and archaeological findings, the precise modern identifications of some of the gemstones mentioned in the Bible, including sardius, topaz, and carbuncle, are not absolutely certain. Ancient Hebrew terms for minerals and gems sometimes encompassed a broader range of stones than their modern counterparts, or their exact characteristics may have been lost to time. However, the general characteristics (e.g., color, luster) and their precious nature are widely agreed upon. The theological significance of the stones, representing the tribes of Israel, remains clear regardless of the precise mineral identification.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:17, with its detailed description of the high priest's breastplate and its precious stones, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his heart, representing them before God in the Tabernacle; this was a shadow of the true and greater High Priest, Jesus, who perpetually intercedes for His people in the heavenly sanctuary. Unlike the temporary and imperfect sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Christ entered "not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). He is our compassionate and faithful High Priest who "sympathizes with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15), bearing not just the names of ancient tribes, but the very hearts and lives of all who believe in Him. He carries us, His new covenant people, not on a breastplate of earthly stones, but eternally upon His heart, presenting us spotless before the Father. His intercession is continuous and perfect, for "He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25), ensuring our constant access to God's grace and mercy. The meticulous care God commanded for the breastplate symbolizes the infinite value He places on each of us, a value supremely demonstrated in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making us "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).