TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Make two gold rings and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, at its edge, on the side facing in toward the vest.
Berean Standard Bible
Make two more gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the inside edge next to the ephod.
American Standard Version
And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge thereof, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.
World English Bible Messianic
You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also thou shalt make two rings of gold, which thou shalt put in the two other endes of the brest plate, vpon the border thereof, towarde the inside of the Ephod.
Young's Literal Translation
`And thou hast made two rings of gold, and hast set them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its border, which is over-against the ephod within;
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In the KJVVerse 2,320 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 28:26 precisely details the divine instruction for attaching two gold rings to the upper corners of the high priestly breastplate, specifically where its border met the ephod's inward side. This meticulous directive underscores God's absolute emphasis on order, holiness, and the seamless integration of the sacred vestments, ensuring the breastplate of judgment—bearing the names of the tribes of Israel—remained securely positioned over the High Priest's heart as he ministered in the Lord's presence.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Exodus 28:26 is situated within the highly detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, as well as the elaborate vestments for the Aaronic priesthood, found in Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Exodus 29, Exodus 30, Exodus 31 and Exodus 35, Exodus 36, Exodus 37, Exodus 38, Exodus 39, Exodus 40. Specifically, Exodus 28 is dedicated entirely to describing the garments for Aaron and his successors, which were designed for "glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). The breastplate of judgment (Hebrew: choshen mishpat), detailed from Exodus 28:15-30, was the most significant of these garments, intended to perpetually bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord. Verse 26, along with Exodus 28:23-25, specifies the intricate system of chains and rings by which this crucial breastplate was to be securely fastened to the ephod (described in Exodus 28:6-14), preventing any separation during the High Priest's sacred ministry. The meticulousness of these instructions highlights the divine precision required for approaching a holy God.
Historical & Cultural Context: These instructions for the Tabernacle and priestly garments were given to Moses at Mount Sinai, following Israel's miraculous exodus from Egypt and the establishment of their covenant with God. This period marked the formalization of Israel's identity as a priestly nation and the institution of a structured, divinely ordained system of worship. In the ancient Near East, priestly attire often conveyed status, power, and function, but Israel's priestly garments were unique due to their divine origin and profound symbolic depth. The High Priest, Aaron, served as the primary mediator between God and Israel, representing the entire nation before the divine presence in the Tabernacle's Holy Place. The breastplate, with its embedded stones representing the tribes, was central to this representative function, and its secure attachment was paramount. The consistent use of gold—a precious, incorruptible, and highly valued metal—throughout the Tabernacle and priestly garments, signified divine glory, purity, and enduring value, setting Israel's worship apart from the often crude or idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. The very act of God providing such detailed blueprints for worship underscored His sovereignty and His desire for a holy, ordered relationship with His people.
Key Themes: This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. The most prominent is Divine Holiness and Order, emphasizing that God's presence demands absolute precision and adherence to His revealed will in worship. The intricate design of the priestly garments, including the specific placement of the rings, reflects God's meticulousness and His desire for a structured, reverent approach. Another key theme is Representation and Mediation, as the High Priest, bearing the names of the tribes on the breastplate, served as the sole mediator for the entire nation before God. The secure attachment of the breastplate to the ephod underscores the integrity and inseparability of this representative role. Furthermore, the use of precious materials like gold points to the theme of Glory and Beauty in Worship, signifying the honor and reverence due to God. Finally, the entire system of the Tabernacle and priesthood, including these detailed instructions, foreshadows the theme of Atonement and Access to God, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest, who provides true access to God's presence, as detailed in Hebrews 9.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Exodus 28:26, and indeed throughout the Tabernacle instructions, is Precision/Meticulous Detail. The verse exemplifies God's exacting standards for worship and service, leaving no room for human improvisation regarding the sacred. This minute level of detail highlights the profound Symbolism inherent in every component of the priestly garments. The gold rings symbolize divine glory, purity, and the enduring nature of the covenant. The breastplate itself is a powerful symbol of the people of Israel, borne on the High Priest's heart, while the ephod symbolizes the High Priest's office and authority. The secure, "inward" connection between the two garments is a symbolic representation of the inseparable bond between the High Priest's representative role and his official function, ensuring the people were always "before the Lord." This meticulous design also points to Typology, subtly foreshadowing the perfect and complete work of Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who perfectly integrates His divine nature with His human representation of us, fulfilling all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:26, with its minute instruction for the breastplate's attachment, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, holiness, and intentional design. The secure connection of the breastplate to the ephod underscores the inseparable nature of the High Priest's representative role (bearing the names of Israel) and his mediatorial function (ministering before God). It speaks to the divine imperative for integrity and unity in sacred service, ensuring that the High Priest always carried the people's identity and needs before the Lord. This meticulousness also foreshadows the perfection required for true atonement and access to God, a perfection ultimately found only in Christ. The detailed craftsmanship and use of precious materials signify the immense value God places on His covenant relationship with His people and the sanctity of approaching His presence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed instructions in Exodus 28:26, though seemingly small in scope, remind us that God cares deeply about the specifics of our worship and service. Just as the breastplate needed to be securely fastened to the ephod, our spiritual lives should be firmly connected to Christ, our Great High Priest, ensuring our identity in Him is integrated with our daily walk and service. This verse encourages us to approach our faith with diligence, reverence, and an understanding that even seemingly minor acts of obedience contribute to a larger, divine purpose. It challenges us to consider the "inward" connections in our spiritual lives – the hidden disciplines that strengthen our faith, the unseen motives that drive our actions, and the secure bond with God that sustains our outward expressions of faith. We are called to live lives of integrity, where our identity in Christ is seamlessly woven into our actions, always bearing the needs of others before God in prayer, just as the High Priest bore the names of Israel. Our service should be marked by intentionality and a commitment to God's standards, reflecting His own meticulous care for His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are the details of the priestly garments, like the rings in Exodus 28:26, so specific?
Answer: The extreme specificity in the instructions for the priestly garments, including the rings, serves multiple crucial purposes. First, it underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for precision in approaching Him. Every detail was divinely ordained, leaving no room for human innovation or error in sacred service. Second, these details were rich in symbolism, each element pointing to theological truths about God, His covenant, and His plan of redemption. The gold, the stones, and the very connection points all conveyed profound meaning. Third, the meticulous design ensured the garments functioned correctly, enabling the High Priest to perform his mediatorial duties effectively and securely. Finally, these precise instructions served as a foreshadowing, preparing God's people for the perfect, unblemished High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would fulfill all these types in His flawless ministry and sacrifice, as explored in Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, Hebrews 10.
What is the significance of the "inward" connection of the breastplate to the ephod?
Answer: The instruction for the rings to be placed "inward" on the side of the ephod (Exodus 28:26) carries significant meaning. Practically, it ensured a secure and stable attachment for the breastplate, preventing it from swinging or becoming dislodged during the High Priest's movements. Symbolically, this "inward" connection suggests a deep, integrated, and perhaps less visible bond. It speaks to the integrity of the High Priest's office and his representative role; the people (represented by the breastplate) were not merely superficially attached but were intimately and securely borne by the High Priest as he ministered before God. This hidden strength and unity are vital, reflecting how God's work often involves unseen foundations and internal coherence, much like the secure bond between Christ and His church, described in Ephesians 4:15-16. It emphasizes that true spiritual security comes from a deep, internal connection, not just an outward display.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:26, with its meticulous detail concerning the secure attachment of the breastplate to the ephod, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, our Great High Priest. The breastplate, bearing the names of the tribes of Israel, symbolized the High Priest's role in carrying the people before God's presence. Jesus, as our ultimate High Priest, does not merely symbolize this but perfectly embodies it. He truly bears His people, not just on a garment, but within His very being, having taken on human flesh to represent us fully before the Father (Hebrews 2:14-17). The secure, "inward" connection of the breastplate to the ephod foreshadows the unbreakable union between Christ's perfect humanity and His divine priestly office. His sacrifice on the cross, a once-for-all offering (Hebrews 9:26-28), perfectly fulfilled the need for atonement, and His ongoing intercession at the right hand of God (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34) ensures that we are always securely and perpetually presented before the Father. Just as the High Priest's garments were divinely designed for glory and beauty, Christ's perfect work brings us into the glory and beauty of God's presence, securing our access through His own righteous perfection and enabling us to draw near with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22). He is the true and enduring link, holding us fast in His eternal covenant.