Exodus 39:20

And they made two [other] golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

And they made {H6213} two {H8147} other golden {H2091} rings {H2885}, and put {H5414} them on the two {H8147} sides {H3802} of the ephod {H646} underneath {H4295}, toward {H4136} the forepart {H6440} of it, over against {H5980} the other coupling {H4225} thereof, above {H4605} the curious girdle {H2805} of the ephod {H646}.

Also they made two gold rings and attached them low on the front part of the vest's shoulder-pieces, near the join, above the vest's decorated belt.

They made two additional gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near the seam just above its woven waistband.

And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod underneath, in the forepart thereof, close by the coupling thereof, above the skilfully woven band of the ephod.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 39:20

Exodus 39:20 continues the detailed description of the construction of the priestly garments, specifically focusing on the High Priest's ephod. This verse highlights the meticulous craftsmanship involved in fashioning the sacred attire, detailing the placement of two additional gold rings on the ephod.

Context

This chapter of Exodus meticulously records the fulfillment of God's commands given to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the garments for the priests. The ephod was a significant part of the High Priest’s attire, serving as a vest-like garment made of intricately woven gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twined linen. The instructions for its design, including the placement of these rings, were laid out by God earlier in Exodus 28. The rings mentioned here were crucial for attaching the breastplate, which bore the twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel, securely to the ephod.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Obedience: The detailed nature of this verse, specifying the exact placement of "two other rings of gold... underneath, toward the forepart thereof," underscores the absolute precision required in all aspects of the Tabernacle's construction and priestly service. It demonstrates the Israelites' faithful obedience to God's specific instructions.
  • Interconnectedness of Sacred Items: The rings served a vital function in connecting the breastplate to the ephod. This physical connection symbolizes the integrated nature of the High Priest's role, where every piece of his attire served a specific, interconnected purpose in his sacred duties.
  • Symbolism of the High Priest: The entire priestly garment, including the ephod and breastplate, represented the High Priest as the mediator between God and Israel. The secure attachment of the breastplate, bearing the names of the tribes, meant the High Priest literally bore the people before the Lord's presence, as described in Exodus 28:29.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "curious girdle of the ephod" (KJV) refers to the intricately woven band that secured the ephod. The Hebrew word for "curious" here is αΈ₯Δ“Ε‘eαΈ‡ (ח֡שׁ֢ב), which denotes an intricate, artistic, or skillful work, emphasizing the high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail invested in these holy garments. It was not merely a functional belt but a piece of art itself, woven from the same materials as the ephod.

Practical Application

This verse, though detailing ancient priestly garments, offers timeless lessons. It reminds us of the importance of diligence and faithfulness in carrying out any task, especially those dedicated to God. Just as every ring and thread had its place and purpose in the Tabernacle's design, so too does every detail matter in our service and devotion. It encourages us to approach our spiritual responsibilities with precision, care, and a deep respect for divine instruction, understanding that even the smallest components contribute to the greater, sacred purpose.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 26:3

    The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and [other] five curtains [shall be] coupled one to another.
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