TRV
Translation
King James Version
And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
Complete Jewish Bible
Put the two twisted gold chains in the two rings at the two ends of the breastplate;
Berean Standard Bible
Then fasten the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
American Standard Version
And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
World English Bible Messianic
You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt put the two wrethen chaynes of golde in the two rings in the endes of the brest plate.
Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast put the two thick bands of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastplate;
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In the KJVVerse 2,318 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 28:24 provides a precise divine instruction for securing the breastplate of judgment to the ephod, detailing the use of "wreathen chains of gold" inserted into rings at the breastplate's ends. This meticulous command underscores God's demand for absolute precision, exquisite craftsmanship, and the use of sacred materials in the construction of the High Priest's garments. It highlights the profound symbolic significance and functional integrity required for every component of the priestly attire, reflecting the holiness of the office and the divine order essential for proper worship and mediation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The language of Exodus 28:24, characteristic of the Tabernacle instructions, primarily employs Prescriptive Language, a direct and authoritative command from God to Moses ("And thou shalt put"). This highlights the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the instructions, emphasizing God's meticulousness and His desire for perfect order in worship. Symbolism is profoundly evident: the "gold" represents purity, divinity, and enduring value, elevating the functional chains to a sacred status. The "wreathen chains" themselves symbolize strength, security, and an intricate, unbreakable connection between the High Priest's office and the people he represents. The act of "putting" these chains "in the rings" further symbolizes the secure and divinely ordained bond. The detailed description of these small components within the larger garment scheme also utilizes Synecdoche or a form of holistic detail, where the focus on minute elements underscores that every part, no matter how small, is essential and carries divine significance in God's grand design for worship and mediation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:24, with its focus on the secure attachment of the breastplate to the ephod through wreathen gold chains, powerfully illustrates several key theological themes. It speaks to God's demand for divine precision and excellence in all matters pertaining to His worship, emphasizing that even the smallest details of sacred service are significant in His eyes. The secure connection symbolizes the inseparable link between the High Priest's person, his sacred duties, and the people he represented before God. It underscores the integrity and stability required for mediating between a holy God and His covenant people, ensuring that the High Priest bore the names of Israel steadfastly into the divine presence. This meticulous design reflects God's commitment to order, holiness, and the secure representation of His people, highlighting that true worship requires both inner sincerity and outward conformity to divine standards.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific instructions for the High Priest's garments belong to the Old Covenant, the principles embedded in Exodus 28:24 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. God's meticulous attention to every detail, from the precious materials to the intricate craftsmanship and secure connections, teaches us about the importance of reverence, precision, and diligence in our approach to worship, service, and our daily walk with Him. It reminds us that God values not only the sincerity of our hearts but also the quality and integrity of our actions and offerings. Just as the breastplate was securely fastened to the ephod, our lives as believers should be firmly connected to Christ, our High Priest, ensuring our spiritual stability and effectiveness. We are called to live lives of integrity, knowing that every aspect of our being, like the components of the High Priest's garments, is to reflect God's glory and purpose. This verse encourages us to consider how we are "fastened" to our faith, to our community, and to our calling, striving for excellence and faithfulness in all things, knowing that our God is a God of order, perfection, and desires our best in His service.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the chains "wreathen" and made of gold?
Answer: The chains were "wreathen" (twisted or braided) to ensure maximum strength, durability, and a secure fastening for the breastplate. This intricate craftsmanship also highlighted the divine demand for excellence and skilled artistry in the construction of sacred objects, reflecting the glory and perfection of God Himself. They were made of "gold" because gold consistently symbolized purity, divinity, preciousness, and incorruptibility in ancient Israel. Its use elevated this functional component to a sacred level, reflecting the immense value and holiness of the High Priest's office and the divine presence he entered. The meticulous detail in Exodus 28:24 underscored that every element of the priestly garments was to be of the highest quality, fit for the service of a holy God.
What was the purpose of attaching the breastplate to the ephod so securely?
Answer: The secure attachment of the breastplate to the ephod was paramount for several reasons. Functionally, it ensured the breastplate, which contained the Urim and Thummim and bore the engraved names of the twelve tribes of Israel, remained in its proper, prominent position over the High Priest's heart during all his sacred duties. Symbolically, this secure fastening represented the inseparable link between the High Priest's office and his representative role for the people. The integrity and stability of the High Priest's ministry, particularly when he entered the Most Holy Place, depended on the completeness and unwavering placement of his garments. This secure connection underscored the steadfastness with which the High Priest bore the people's names before God, a crucial theme echoed in Exodus 28:29.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:24, with its emphasis on the wreathen gold chains securely fastening the breastplate to the ephod, serves as a rich foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Just as the chains ensured the breastplate, bearing the names of Israel, was immovably connected to the High Priest, so too does Christ perfectly and eternally secure our connection to God. His high priestly ministry, unlike Aaron's, is not dependent on perishable garments or intricate earthly fasteners, but on His own perfect, unblemished sacrifice and His permanent, eternal priesthood, as described in Hebrews 7:23-25. The "gold" of the chains, symbolizing divinity, purity, and enduring value, points directly to Christ's divine nature and His sinless perfection, which uniquely qualifies Him to be the ultimate mediator. The "wreathen" design, signifying intricate and strong craftsmanship, speaks to the flawless, unbreakable, and perfectly executed nature of Christ's redemptive work on our behalf. Through His finished work on the cross, He has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not with earthly blood, but with His own, securing an eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:11-12). Our names are not merely engraved on temporal stones, but eternally etched into the heart of our High Priest, who ever lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). Thus, the secure attachment of the breastplate in Exodus 28:24 beautifully anticipates the perfect, permanent, and divinely secured access to God that we have through Christ, our faithful and true High Priest, who holds us fast in His eternal grip, ensuring that none can snatch us from His hand (John 10:28-29).