Exodus 28:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Aaron {H175} shall bear {H5375} the names {H8034} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} in the breastplate {H2833} of judgment {H4941} upon his heart {H3820}, when he goeth {H935} in unto the holy {H6944} place, for a memorial {H2146} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} continually {H8548}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Aharon will carry the names of the sons of Isra'el on the breastplate for judging, over his heart, when he enters the Holy Place, as a continual reminder before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD.

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah continually.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 28:29 describes a pivotal aspect of Aaron's high priestly garments: the breastplate of judgment, upon which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Worn over his heart, this garment ensured that Aaron, as the representative of the entire nation, continually brought the people into the holy presence of the LORD, serving as a perpetual memorial and a constant act of intercession before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 28 is dedicated entirely to the detailed instructions for the priestly garments, specifically those for Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons. This chapter follows the commands for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 25-27), emphasizing that the priesthood and its attire are integral to the sacred space where God's presence would dwell among His people. The breastplate (Exodus 28:15-30) is the most elaborate of these garments, described immediately after the ephod, to which it was attached. The placement of the names of Israel on both the shoulder pieces (Exodus 28:9-12) and the breastplate underscores the High Priest's comprehensive role as the bearer and representative of the entire nation before God. The meticulous detail in these instructions highlights the holiness required for approaching God and the divine design for mediation between God and His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the High Priest held a unique and sacred office, serving as the primary mediator between God and the nation. His garments were not merely ceremonial but were imbued with profound symbolic meaning, reflecting his glory, beauty, and holiness, as commanded in [Exodus 28:2](/exodus/28-2 "Exodus 28:2 - Holy Garments for Aaron"). The Tabernacle itself, whose construction is detailed in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"), was the central place of worship and divine encounter, a portable sanctuary signifying God's presence among His wandering people. The act of bearing names was a common practice in the ancient Near East, often signifying ownership, remembrance, or representation. However, in this biblical context, it takes on a unique theological significance: Aaron's carrying of Israel's names "upon his heart" and "before the LORD continually" emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for an intimate, perpetual remembrance of His people in His presence. The "breastplate of judgment" (Hebrew: *choshen mishpat*) was distinct because it contained the Urim and Thummim, objects used for discerning God's will and rendering divine judgments, further solidifying the High Priest's role as a conduit for divine counsel for the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Breastplate of Judgment (Hebrew, חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט, _choshen mishpat_):** This is not merely a decorative chest-piece but a functional garment central to the High Priest's duties. The term "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpat_) indicates its purpose in discerning God's will and rendering decisions for the people, primarily through the Urim and Thummim housed within it. It signifies divine counsel and justice.
* **Memorial (Hebrew, זִכָּרוֹן, _zikkarôn_):** More than passive remembrance, *zikkarôn* implies an active calling to mind, a perpetual reminder that often prompts divine action or response. It signifies that the names of Israel were not merely present but were actively brought before God, ensuring His constant attention and covenant faithfulness to His people.
* **Upon his heart (Hebrew, עַל־לִבּוֹ, _‘al-libbō_):** This phrase denotes profound intimacy, affection, and personal responsibility. The heart, in biblical thought, is the seat of intellect, emotion, and will. Placing the names here signifies that Aaron carried the people's identity, concerns, and burdens with deep personal care and intercession, not merely as a formal duty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel":** This highlights Aaron's representative role. As High Priest, he embodies the entire nation, carrying their identity and existence into the most sacred space. The names, engraved on precious stones, symbolize the enduring value and distinct identity of each tribe before God.
* **"in the breastplate of judgment":** The specific garment chosen for this purpose underscores the High Priest's function in seeking divine counsel and judgment on behalf of the people. It connects the representation of Israel with the discernment of God's will.
* **"upon his heart":** This signifies the deep personal connection and affection Aaron was to have for the people he represented. It implies a burden of care, a profound empathy, and a constant intercession rooted in love and responsibility. It's not a cold, detached duty but a heartfelt commitment.
* **"when he goeth in unto the holy [place]":** This specifies the context of this act—entering the Tabernacle, particularly the Holy Place, and ultimately the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. It emphasizes that this representation occurs in the very presence of God, where divine holiness dwells.
* **"for a memorial before the LORD continually":** This clause reveals the ultimate purpose: to ensure that the people of Israel are perpetually remembered and kept in God's active awareness. It signifies God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His continuous engagement with His chosen nation, prompted by the High Priest's representative act.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the breastplate itself symbolizing divine judgment and counsel, and the engraved stones representing the preciousness and distinct identity of each tribe of Israel. The act of bearing the names **"upon his heart"** is a powerful **metonymy**, where the physical location (heart) stands for the emotional and volitional core of Aaron's being, signifying deep care, affection, and personal responsibility. The entire act is also rich in **typology**, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would perfectly fulfill Aaron's representative and intercessory role, bearing His people not merely on a garment but in His very being and presenting them perpetually before God. The phrase "for a memorial before the LORD continually" emphasizes the **perpetuity** and **unending nature** of this divine remembrance and intercession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:29 profoundly illustrates the themes of representation, intercession, and divine remembrance within the framework of the Old Covenant. Aaron, as High Priest, served as the singular mediator, embodying the entire nation and bringing their very identity into God's presence. This act underscored God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating His desire for an ongoing, intimate relationship with His people, even amidst their imperfections. The "memorial" signifies God's active attention and commitment to His promises, ensuring that Israel was perpetually held in His divine awareness, signifying His unwavering care and readiness to respond to their needs. This priestly function established a vital link between the holy God and His chosen, yet fallible, people.

* [Exodus 28:12](/exodus/28-12 "Exodus 28:12 - Names on Shoulder Pieces")
* [Leviticus 16:1-34](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - Day of Atonement")
* [Numbers 27:21](/numbers/27-21 "Numbers 27:21 - Urim and Thummim for Guidance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 28:29 offers profound insights for believers today, primarily by pointing us to the nature of our relationship with God through Christ. It reminds us that we are not forgotten or overlooked; our names are perpetually before the LORD. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of security, belonging, and gratitude. Just as Aaron carried Israel, our ultimate High Priest carries us, our burdens, and our prayers into the very presence of God. This should inspire us to live lives worthy of such divine remembrance and to embrace our own calling to be a "royal priesthood" ([1_peter/2-9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), interceding for others and living as a "memorial" of God's grace in the world. For those in leadership, Aaron's example serves as a powerful reminder of the solemn responsibility to genuinely care for and intercede on behalf of those entrusted to their care, bearing them "upon their heart" with compassion and dedication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of being perpetually remembered by God, as symbolized by Aaron's breastplate, impact your sense of security and identity in Christ?**
* **In what ways can you, as a believer, embody the spirit of intercession and care for others, bearing their needs "upon your heart" before the LORD?**
* **What does Aaron's role in seeking "judgment" (divine counsel) teach us about seeking God's will in our lives and for our communities today?**

### FAQ
**What was the "breastplate of judgment" and what was its purpose?**

Answer: The "breastplate of judgment" (Hebrew: *choshen mishpat*) was one of the eight sacred garments worn by the High Priest, Aaron. It was a square, folded pouch adorned with twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its primary purpose was to hold the Urim and Thummim, objects used by the High Priest to discern God's will and receive divine guidance for the nation, particularly in matters of national importance or legal dispute. Thus, it was not merely decorative but served as a crucial instrument for divine communication and judgment, ensuring God's counsel was available to His people.

**What does "for a memorial before the LORD continually" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "for a memorial before the LORD continually" signifies that the act of Aaron bearing the names of Israel on his heart was a perpetual, active reminder to God of His covenant people. The Hebrew word *zikkarôn* implies more than passive remembrance; it suggests an active calling to mind, often with the intent of eliciting a response or action from God. It ensured that Israel was constantly in God's active awareness, affirming His unwavering covenant faithfulness and His readiness to hear their prayers and respond to their needs, even when they were not directly in His presence. This continuous "memorial" underscored God's commitment to His chosen nation.

**Why were the names placed "upon his heart" specifically?**

Answer: The placement of the names "upon his heart" carries profound symbolic weight. In ancient Hebrew thought, the heart was considered the seat of one's intellect, emotions, will, and inner being. Therefore, bearing the names "upon his heart" symbolized Aaron's deep personal care, affection, and profound responsibility for the people he represented. It was not a detached, formal duty but an intimate act of carrying their identity, their burdens, their joys, and their sorrows with genuine empathy and love into the very presence of God. This placement underscored the High Priest's role as one who truly bore the people's concerns within his innermost being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:29 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Aaron's bearing of Israel's names on the breastplate "upon his heart" for a "memorial before the LORD continually" was a powerful type foreshadowing Christ's eternal intercession for His people. Unlike Aaron, who was a sinful man and whose priesthood was temporary, Jesus is a sinless High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek" [Hebrews 7:17](/hebrews/7-17 "Hebrews 7:17 - Jesus, a Priest Forever"), whose priesthood is eternal and unchangeable [Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - An Unchangeable Priesthood"). He has entered "the true holy place, into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf" [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Ministry"). Jesus not only bears our names, but He bears our very being, our sins, and our burdens, having fully identified with humanity. He continually intercedes for us before the Father [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession"), ensuring that we are perpetually remembered and kept in God's active awareness. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate "memorial" that perpetually brings us into God's favor, fulfilling the shadow of the Old Testament priesthood with the reality of His perfect, once-for-all atonement [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - One Sacrifice for All Time"). Through Christ, our names are not merely engraved on stone but are written in the Lamb's Book of Life [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Names in the Book of Life"), securing our eternal remembrance and access to God's heart.

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

Exodus 28:12

And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod [for] stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

Exodus 28:30

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.

Jeremiah 30:21

And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who [is] this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

Romans 10:1

¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Isaiah 49:15

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:16

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.

Exodus 28:15

¶ 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.