Exodus 28:20

KJV

And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the fourth {H7243} row {H2905} a beryl {H8658}, and an onyx {H7718}, and a jasper {H3471}: they shall be set {H7660} in gold {H2091} in their inclosings {H4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They are to be mounted in their gold settings.

Berean Standard Bible

and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings.

American Standard Version

and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be inclosed in gold in their settings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 28:20 meticulously details the final three precious stones—a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper—that adorned the fourth and final row of the high priest's breastplate. These stones, like the nine preceding them, were to be securely set in gold, forming part of the twelve stones, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This verse underscores God's divine precision in the Tabernacle's construction and the profound symbolic representation of His covenant people continually borne before Him by their mediator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 28 is a pivotal chapter within the larger narrative of the Tabernacle's construction and the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, following God's detailed instructions given on Mount Sinai. Specifically, verses 1-5 outline the call and purpose of Aaron and his sons as priests, while verses 6-14 describe the ephod, a key priestly garment. The focus then shifts dramatically to the breastplate of judgment in [Exodus 28:15](/exodus/28-15 "Exodus 28:15 - The Breastplate of Judgment"), which was to be intricately crafted and worn over the ephod. Verses 17-20 provide a precise inventory of the twelve precious stones, arranged in four rows, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, [Exodus 28:20](/exodus/28-20 "Exodus 28:20 - The Fourth Row of Stones") concludes this specific list, completing the symbolic representation of the entire nation. This meticulous detail emphasizes the sacredness and divine origin of every aspect of the priestly service and the Tabernacle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, precious stones held significant value, often associated with royalty, divine favor, and sometimes even magical or protective qualities. For the Israelites, these stones, particularly when set in gold, symbolized immense worth and purity. The high priest's role was unique: he served as the primary mediator between God and the nation of Israel, representing the people before the Lord and conveying God's will to them. The breastplate, worn over the high priest's heart, was not merely an adornment but a functional and symbolic piece of sacred attire. Its design, with each tribe's name engraved on a distinct stone, highlighted God's personal knowledge and care for each segment of His covenant people. The act of the high priest entering the Holy Place, bearing these names, was a tangible expression of Israel's collective access to God's presence through their divinely appointed representative, a concept central to ancient Israelite worship and their unique relationship with Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beryl (Hebrew, _tarshish_):** In the KJV, "beryl" refers to one of the precious stones in the fourth row. While the exact identification of ancient gemstones can be challenging due to varying translations and mineralogical understandings, the "beryl" here (often associated with a greenish-blue or yellowish-green hue, or possibly chrysolite/topaz in other translations) signifies a valuable, beautiful, and durable material. Its inclusion underscores the preciousness and enduring nature of God's covenant people, represented by these stones.
* **Inclosings (Hebrew, _millu'atam_):** This term refers to the intricate gold settings or filigree work that securely held each precious stone in place. The word implies a "full setting" or "filling," indicating that the stones were fully encased and protected by the gold. This detail highlights the high level of craftsmanship required for the sacred garments, emphasizing the divine demand for excellence, precision, and security in all matters pertaining to worship and the representation of God's people. The gold settings not only enhanced the beauty of the stones but also ensured their permanence and stability within the breastplate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper:":** This clause completes the enumeration of the twelve stones on the breastplate. Following the three rows previously described, this final row specifies the beryl, onyx, and jasper as the last three of the twelve. Each stone, though distinct, contributes to the collective representation of the twelve tribes of Israel, ensuring that no tribe was omitted from the high priest's intercessory bearing before God.
* **"they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.":** This phrase reiterates the method of mounting for all the stones on the breastplate, not just those in the fourth row. The command for them to be "set in gold in their inclosings" emphasizes the value, purity, and divine origin of the entire assembly. Gold, a precious metal, symbolizes divine glory, purity, and enduring worth. The "inclosings" (settings) signify the careful, secure, and permanent manner in which God's people are held and presented before Him, reflecting His meticulous care and the sacredness of their identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, like the surrounding passages detailing the Tabernacle, employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with each of the twelve stones symbolizing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The collective breastplate, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of the entire nation brought into God's presence. The use of precious stones like beryl, onyx, and jasper, set in gold, employs **Imagery** that conveys immense value, beauty, and purity, underscoring the preciousness of God's covenant people in His sight. Furthermore, the meticulous and repetitive detailing of materials and construction methods throughout Exodus 28, including the specific mention of "set in gold in their inclosings," functions as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the divine demand for precision, order, and holiness in worship and service. The breastplate itself can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the object (the breastplate with the names) stands for the high priest's intercessory role and the people he represents.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:20, by completing the description of the breastplate's stones, powerfully conveys the theological truth of God's intimate knowledge and profound value for His covenant people. The high priest, bearing the names of Israel on his heart, symbolized God's unwavering commitment to His chosen nation, continually bringing them into His presence. This act of representation speaks to the concept of intercession, where one stands on behalf of others before a holy God. It also highlights the divine precision and holiness required in approaching God, demonstrating that every detail of worship is divinely ordained and holds deep significance. The preciousness of the stones reflects the immense worth God places on His people, whom He calls His treasured possession.

* [Malachi 3:17](/malachi/3-17 "Malachi 3:17 - God's Treasured Possession")
* [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Intercession")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The imagery of the high priest bearing the names of Israel on his heart, represented by precious stones, offers profound spiritual insights for believers today. It reminds us of God's personal and intimate knowledge of each individual within His covenant family. Just as each stone was distinct yet part of a unified whole, so too are we uniquely known and valued by God, yet united in the body of Christ. This passage encourages us to embrace our identity as God's treasured possession, recognizing the immense worth He places on us. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider our own role in intercession, not as mediators in the same sense as the high priest, but as those called to bear one another's burdens and needs before God in prayer, reflecting the heart of our perfect High Priest. We are called to live lives that reflect the purity and holiness symbolized by the gold settings, striving for excellence in our service to God, knowing that every detail of our lives matters to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the high priest bearing the names of Israel on his heart deepen your understanding of God's personal care for you?**
* **In what ways can you, as a believer, "bear" others before the Lord in prayer and support, reflecting the spirit of intercession?**
* **What does the meticulous detail in the construction of the breastplate (including the gold settings) teach us about the importance of precision and excellence in our own service to God?**
* **How does knowing you are a "precious stone" in God's sight influence your self-worth and your view of other believers?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the specific stones in the fourth row (beryl, onyx, jasper)?**

Answer: While the exact mineralogical identification of ancient stones can be debated, their primary significance in [Exodus 28:20](/exodus/28-20 "Exodus 28:20 - The Fourth Row of Stones") and the preceding verses is symbolic. Each of the twelve stones, including the beryl, onyx, and jasper in the fourth row, was engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Therefore, their individual properties were secondary to their collective purpose: to represent the entirety of God's covenant people, ensuring that the high priest carried all of Israel into the presence of the Lord. The use of precious stones underscored the immense value and importance God placed on His chosen nation.

**Why were the stones "set in gold in their inclosings"?**

Answer: The instruction that the stones be "set in gold in their inclosings" (or settings) emphasizes several key points. Gold, a precious and pure metal, symbolizes the divine glory, holiness, and enduring nature of God's presence and His covenant. The "inclosings" signify the secure and permanent way in which the stones—representing the tribes—were held. This detail highlights the divine demand for meticulous craftsmanship and perfection in all elements related to the Tabernacle and priestly service. It also visually communicated the preciousness of God's people and their secure position in His sight, continually brought before Him by the high priest.

**How did the breastplate function in the high priest's ministry beyond just representation?**

Answer: Beyond symbolizing the representation of the twelve tribes, the breastplate, often called the "breastplate of judgment" ([Exodus 28:15](/exodus/28-15 "Exodus 28:15 - The Breastplate of Judgment")), also served a crucial role in discerning God's will. It contained the Urim and Thummim ([Exodus 28:30](/exodus/28-30 "Exodus 28:30 - The Urim and Thummim")), mysterious objects used by the high priest to inquire of the Lord and receive divine guidance for the nation. Thus, the breastplate was not merely an adornment but an instrument through which God communicated with His people, underscoring the high priest's role as a conduit of divine revelation and judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:20, with its description of the final stones on the high priest's breastplate, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament high priest, bearing the names of Israel on his heart as he entered God's presence, served as a profound type, or foreshadowing, of our Lord. Jesus is our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who has passed through the heavens, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with [His own blood](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Own Blood"), entering once for all into the true Holy Place—heaven itself ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Intercession")). Just as the earthly priest carried the names of the tribes, Jesus, our perfect Mediator, bears us—His redeemed people, the new Israel—continually before the Father. He knows each of us by name, and His intercession for us is not merely symbolic but eternally effective, for [He ever lives to make intercession for us](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession"). The preciousness of the stones set in gold foreshadows the immense value God places on those who are in Christ, His "chosen race, a royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), who are now living stones being built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The meticulous detail of the breastplate points to the flawless perfection of Christ's priestly ministry, which perfectly secures our access to God.

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

Revelation 21:18

And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

Ezekiel 10:9

And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels [was] as the colour of a beryl stone.

Ezekiel 1:16

The appearance of the wheels and their work [was] like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work [was] as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

Daniel 10:6

His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Revelation 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Revelation 21:11

Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;