Exodus 39:21

And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.

And they did bind {H7405} the breastplate {H2833} by his rings {H2885} unto the rings {H2885} of the ephod {H646} with a lace {H6616} of blue {H8504}, that it might be above the curious girdle {H2805} of the ephod {H646}, and that the breastplate {H2833} might not be loosed {H2118} from the ephod {H646}; as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Then they bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the vest with a blue cord, so that it could be on the vest's decorated belt, and so that the breastplate would not swing loose from the vest -as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

And they did bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be upon the skilfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

Exodus 39:21 describes a precise detail in the construction of the sacred garments for the high priest, specifically how the breastplate was to be attached to the ephod. This verse is part of the larger narrative detailing the meticulous execution of all the Tabernacle's components and priestly vestments, exactly "as the LORD commanded Moses."

Context

This verse falls within the final chapters of Exodus (chapters 35-40), which recount the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, along with the priestly garments, following the elaborate divine instructions given earlier (primarily in Exodus chapters 25-31 and 35-39). The breastplate was a crucial piece of the high priest's attire, worn over the ephod. It was intricately designed with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The careful binding with a "lace of blue" ensured that the breastplate remained firmly in place, signifying the priest's unchanging role in carrying the names of the children of Israel before the LORD continually.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Obedience: The repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout these chapters emphasizes the absolute necessity of following God's exact specifications. Every detail, no matter how small, was significant and had to be executed without deviation.
  • Holiness and Consecration: The garments were not mere clothing but sacred vestments, designed to set the high priest apart for holy service. The meticulous construction contributed to their sacred purpose.
  • Representation: The secure attachment of the breastplate to the ephod symbolized the high priest's inseparable connection to the people he represented before God. His service was for their sake, and their identity was tied to his sacred office.
  • Durability and Security: The method of attachment ensured the breastplate would not become "loosed," highlighting the permanence and reliability of the priestly function and God's covenant with His people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "curious girdle" (KJV) refers to an elaborately woven or embroidered band, not "curious" in the modern sense of strange or odd. It highlights the intricate and skillful craftsmanship involved in creating these holy garments. The "lace of blue" (Hebrew: pษ™แนฏรฎl tษ™แธตฤ“leแนฏ) was a cord or thread made from a specific blue dye, often associated with the heavens, purity, and the divine presence.

Practical Application

This verse, detailing a seemingly minor instruction, powerfully illustrates God's care for precision and faithfulness in carrying out His will. It teaches us that God cares not only about what we do but also how we do it. For believers today, this can be a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands, not just in broad strokes but also in the details of our faith and service. Our worship, service, and daily lives should reflect a desire to honor God by adhering to His Word with diligence and integrity, just as the Tabernacle builders did.

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

  • 1 Corinthians 1:25

    Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

  • Matthew 16:24

    ยถ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27

    But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
โ† Back