Exodus 28:18

KJV

And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the second {H8145} row {H2905} shall be an emerald {H5306}, a sapphire {H5601}, and a diamond {H3095}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the second row a green feldspar, a sapphire and a diamond;

Berean Standard Bible

in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

American Standard Version

and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 28:18 meticulously details the second row of precious stones—an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond—to be set into the high priest's breastplate. This divine instruction underscores God's precise design for the sacred garments, emphasizing the beauty, value, and symbolic significance of each element in representing the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord, highlighting His meticulous order and the preciousness of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a larger, highly detailed section in [Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - Instructions for Priestly Garments") that outlines God's specific commands for the construction of the priestly garments for Aaron and his sons. Following the general command to make the breastplate of judgment in [Exodus 28:15](/exodus/28-15 "Exodus 28:15 - The Breastplate of Judgment"), and the description of the first row of stones in [Exodus 28:17](/exodus/28-17 "Exodus 28:17 - First Row of Stones"), verse 18 continues the enumeration of the twelve unique gemstones. Each stone, engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, was to be carried by the high priest into the Holy Place, symbolizing his role as representative and intercessor for all God's people, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 28:29](/exodus/28-29 "Exodus 28:29 - Bearing the Names of Israel"). The meticulous nature of these instructions highlights the sanctity and symbolic weight of every component of the Tabernacle worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, precious stones were highly valued for their beauty, rarity, and often, their perceived magical or protective properties. While the specific identification of ancient Hebrew gem names with modern mineralogy can be challenging due to variations in classification and translation over millennia, the emphasis was on their inherent worth and visual splendor. The breastplate itself, known as the "breastplate of judgment" or "breastplate of decision" (Hebrew: *choshen mishpat*), was not merely decorative. It likely contained the Urim and Thummim, objects used for discerning God's will, making it a crucial instrument for divine guidance for Israel. The selection of twelve distinct, valuable stones for the breastplate, each representing a tribe, was a powerful visual and theological statement about the unity, diversity, and collective preciousness of God's chosen nation. This practice of adorning sacred objects with gems was common in ancient cultures, but here, it is uniquely tied to the representation of a covenant people before their holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Emerald (Hebrew, _bareqeth'_):** This term is generally understood to refer to a sparkling or flashing green stone. While not necessarily the modern emerald, it denotes a gem known for its vibrant color and brilliance. Its inclusion suggests beauty and perhaps vitality or new life, often associated with green in biblical symbolism.
* **Sapphire (Hebrew, _sappir'_):** Widely identified as a deep blue stone, the sapphire frequently appears in biblical texts in contexts of divine glory and heavenly majesty. For instance, the throne of God is described as having the appearance of a sapphire in [Ezekiel 1:26](/ezekiel/1-26 "Ezekiel 1:26 - The Sapphire Throne"). Its deep blue color often symbolizes the heavens, purity, and the unblemished holiness of God.
* **Diamond (Hebrew, _yahalom'_):** While not the carbon diamond we know today, this term referred to a very hard, brilliant, and possibly colorless or multi-faceted stone. Its primary characteristic would have been its exceptional hardness and ability to refract light, making it highly valuable and enduring. Symbolically, it could represent strength, resilience, and the unyielding nature of God's covenant.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the second row":** This phrase establishes the sequential order of the breastplate's design, indicating that this verse continues the detailed instructions for the arrangement of the twelve stones, following the first row described in the preceding verse. It emphasizes the systematic and precise nature of God's architectural commands for the Tabernacle and its sacred components.
* **"[shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond":** This clause specifies the three distinct precious stones designated for the middle row of the breastplate. Each stone, with its unique color and properties, contributed to the overall splendor and symbolic richness of the breastplate. The selection of these particular gems highlights their beauty, rarity, and the high value placed upon them, reflecting the immense worth God places on the tribes they represent. The divine choice of these specific stones underscores God's aesthetic appreciation and His intentionality in every detail of worship.
#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 28:18, and indeed in the entire description of the breastplate, is **Symbolism**. The precious stones themselves are symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel, each unique and valuable, yet united in their placement on the high priest's breastplate. This arrangement symbolizes the unity and diversity of God's people, and their constant presence before Him through the high priest's intercession. The use of **Enumeration** (listing the stones precisely) and **Detailed Description** underscores the divine precision and meticulousness of God's instructions, reflecting His character as a God of order and holiness. Furthermore, the inherent brilliance and light-refracting qualities of these gems contribute to a broader **Symbolism of Light and Glory**, reflecting the divine presence and the radiant splendor of God Himself, before whom the high priest ministered.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:18, as part of the breastplate's description, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people and His desire for them to be continually represented before Him. The use of precious stones signifies the immense value God places on each tribe and, by extension, each individual within His covenant. This divine attention to detail in the Tabernacle's construction and the priestly garments underscores God's holiness, order, and the sacredness of worship. The high priest's role, bearing the names of Israel, foreshadows a greater intercession.
* [Exodus 28:29](/exodus/28-29 "Exodus 28:29 - Bearing the Names of Israel")
* [Ezekiel 1:26](/ezekiel/1-26 "Ezekiel 1:26 - The Sapphire Throne")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Generation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though seemingly a mere list of stones, invites us to reflect on the profound truths embedded in God's ancient instructions. It reminds us that God is a God of infinite detail, beauty, and intentionality. Every aspect of His creation and His plan for redemption is meticulously crafted with purpose. Just as each precious stone on the breastplate represented a unique and valued tribe, so too does God value each individual believer. We are not lost in the crowd; our names are known to Him, and we are precious in His sight. This should inspire us to live with a deep sense of our worth in Christ and to approach worship and service with the same excellence and intentionality that God displayed in His commands. Furthermore, recognizing the high priest's role in carrying the names of Israel before God should stir within us a desire to intercede for others, bearing their burdens and presenting them before the Lord in prayer, just as our Great High Priest, Jesus, continually intercedes for us.
#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the priestly garments challenge my own approach to worship and service?**
* **In what ways do I recognize and live out my immense value as a "precious stone" in God's eyes, part of His spiritual house?**
* **How can the high priest's role of bearing the names of Israel inspire my own practice of intercessory prayer for others?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific stones chosen for the breastplate?**

Answer: While the exact reasons for the selection of each specific stone are not explicitly stated, the general principle is clear: God chose precious, beautiful, and distinct gems to symbolize the value, uniqueness, and unity of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each stone, with its particular color and brilliance, contributed to the overall splendor of the breastplate, reflecting the glory of God and the preciousness of His covenant people. The breastplate was not merely decorative; it was a sacred object that represented the entire nation before the Lord, and the use of such valuable materials underscored the significance of this representation. The specific stones may also have carried symbolic meanings in the ancient world, though definitive interpretations for each are debated.

**What was the purpose of the breastplate of judgment?**

Answer: The breastplate of judgment (or decision) was a critical component of the high priest's attire, serving multiple purposes. Foremost, it was designed to carry the twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing that the high priest bore the names of all the people before the Lord when he entered the Holy Place ([Exodus 28:29](/exodus/28-29 "Exodus 28:29 - Bearing the Names of Israel")). It also contained the Urim and Thummim, objects used by the high priest to discern God's will and receive divine guidance for the nation ([Numbers 27:21](/numbers/27-21 "Numbers 27:21 - Urim and Thummim")). Thus, it was both a symbol of representation and an instrument of divine revelation and judgment, emphasizing the high priest's vital role as mediator between God and Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:18, with its description of the precious stones on the high priest's breastplate, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The high priest of Israel, bearing the names of the twelve tribes on his heart, served as a type of our [Great High Priest, Jesus](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest"), who truly carries His people on His heart before God. Unlike Aaron, whose ministry was limited by his humanity and mortality, Jesus, through His once-for-all sacrifice, entered into the true heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, securing an eternal redemption for us ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ Our High Priest")). The preciousness of the stones on the breastplate beautifully foreshadows the immeasurable value God places on His redeemed people, the Church, whom Christ purchased with His own blood ([Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - Purchased with His Own Blood")). Just as the stones were set in gold, reflecting light and glory, so too are believers, through Christ, made to shine with His righteousness and glory, becoming a "royal priesthood" and "a holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). Jesus continually intercedes for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes")), ensuring that we, His treasured possession, are perpetually represented and remembered in the presence of God, fulfilling the symbolic carrying of Israel's names on the breastplate.

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.