What number verse is Exodus 39:31 in the Bible?

Exodus 39:31 is the 2,696th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Exodus 39:31 sits at position 2,696.

39:3039:30

Exodus 39:31

Q: Why was a "lace of blue" specifically commanded for the high priest's mitre?

The "lace of blue" (Hebrew: tᵉkêleth) was specifically commanded because blue was a highly significant and costly color in ancient Israelite culture and the broader ancient Near East. It was a dye derived from a specific mollusk, making it rare and valuable. Symbolically, blue was often associated with the heavens, divinity, and royalty. Its use here was not arbitrary but profoundly symbolic. It served to visually connect the high priest's office and the gold plate inscribed "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" to its divine, heavenly origin. It emphasized that the high priest's authority and his role as mediator were not earthly appointments but were divinely ordained, reflecting the very nature of God and the celestial realm. This meticulous detail underscores God's intentionality in every aspect of the Tabernacle and priestly garments, ensuring they perfectly communicated theological truths about His character and His relationship with His people, as seen throughout the detailed instructions in Exodus 25-31.

39:3239:32

Translation

King James Version

And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And they tied ^H5414 unto it a lace ^H6616 of blue ^H8504, to fasten ^H5414 it on high ^H4605 upon the mitre ^H4701; as the LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 Moses ^H4872.

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Complete Jewish Bible

and tied a blue cord on it to fasten it to the front of the turban - as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

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Berean Standard Bible

Then they fastened to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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American Standard Version

And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it upon the mitre above; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

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World English Bible Messianic

They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as the LORD commanded Moses.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And they tied vnto it a lace of blewe silke to fasten it on hie vpon the miter, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

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Young's Literal Translation

and they put on it a ribbon of blue, to put it on the mitre above, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

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In the KJVVerse 2,696 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 39:31 meticulously details the final, crucial step in the preparation of the high priest's sacred headwear: the precise attachment of the gold plate, or "holy crown," to the mitre. This verse underscores the divine precision required in all aspects of Tabernacle construction and priestly garments, emphasizing that every minute detail, down to the color and method of attachment, was specifically commanded by the LORD, ensuring the high priest's attire perfectly symbolized his consecrated role and the holiness of God he represented.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is situated within the concluding chapters of Exodus (chapters 35-40), which describe the meticulous execution of the Tabernacle's construction and the making of the priestly garments, mirroring the detailed instructions given by God in earlier chapters (Exodus 25-31). Specifically, Exodus 39 focuses on the completion of the priestly vestments. Verse 31 follows directly from Exodus 39:30, which describes the inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" engraved upon the gold plate. Thus, verse 31 provides the practical, final instruction for how this profoundly significant plate was to be securely fastened to the high priest's mitre, ensuring its prominent display and constant visibility as a symbol of Israel's consecration to Yahweh. The repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout these chapters (e.g., Exodus 39:1, Exodus 39:5, Exodus 39:7, Exodus 39:21) serves as a powerful literary refrain, emphasizing the absolute fidelity of the craftsmen and Moses to God's divine blueprint.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israelite society, the high priest served as the chief mediator between God and the people, responsible for offering sacrifices and entering the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. His garments were not merely decorative but were imbued with profound symbolic meaning, distinguishing him and signifying his unique role. The mitre (turban) and the gold plate (often called the "holy crown" or "diadem") were the most prominent parts of his headwear, designed to be seen by all. The "lace of blue" was made from a highly valued dye, often associated with royalty and divinity in the ancient Near East, symbolizing the heavenly origin of the priest's office and the divine nature of the holiness he represented. The meticulous attention to detail in the construction of these garments, as seen in Exodus 39, reflected the Israelite understanding of God's absolute holiness and the necessity of precise, reverent worship in His presence. This level of detail was common in ancient Near Eastern temple construction, but here it is uniquely tied to the direct, verbal commands of Yahweh, distinguishing Israelite worship from that of surrounding nations.
Key Themes: Exodus 39:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the Sovereignty and Holiness of God, emphasizing that every detail of worship, even the smallest components like a blue lace, is divinely ordained and reflects God's perfect, holy nature. Secondly, it underscores the theme of Divine Command and Human Obedience, as the repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39 validates the faithful execution of God's precise instructions. This obedience is presented as the proper response to God's revelation and the foundation for His dwelling among His people. Thirdly, the verse contributes to the theme of Mediation and Atonement, as the high priest's garments, culminating in the "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" inscription, were essential for his role in representing Israel before God and bearing their iniquities (Exodus 28:38). Finally, the meticulous craftsmanship and the use of precious materials, including the costly blue dye, speak to the theme of Sacred Space and Sacred Service, where everything associated with God's presence and worship is set apart and consecrated, reflecting the glory and majesty of Yahweh. The entire narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, from Exodus 25 through Exodus 40, reinforces these themes.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Lace (Hebrew, pâthîyl', H6616): From the root meaning "to twine," this word refers to a thread, cord, or ribbon. In this context, it specifically denotes the string or cord used to attach the gold plate to the mitre. The specification of "blue" (תְּכֵלֶת, tᵉkêleth), derived from a costly mollusk, was significant in the ancient Near East, often associated with the heavens, divinity, and royalty. Its use here reinforces the sacred, heavenly nature of the high priest's office and the divine authority under which he served, connecting the earthly garment to its celestial purpose.
High (Hebrew, maʻal', H4605): This adverbial term, meaning "upward, above, overhead, from the top," emphasizes the prominent placement of the gold plate. Its position "on high upon the mitre" ensured the visibility of the "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" inscription, making it a constant visual reminder of the priest's consecrated status and the sanctity required for approaching God. This highlights the public and symbolic nature of the high priest's headwear.
Mitre (Hebrew, mitsnepheth', H4701): This term refers to a "tiara" or "official turban," specifically the distinctive headwear worn by the high priest. Unlike the turbans of ordinary priests, the high priest's mitre was likely more elaborate and specifically designed to bear the gold plate. Its function was not merely adornment but a vital component of the sacred vestments, signifying the high priest's unique and consecrated role as mediator between God and Israel.
Commanded (Hebrew, tsâvâh', H6680): A primitive root meaning "(intensively) to constitute, enjoin," this verb signifies a direct, authoritative instruction or order. Its repeated use throughout the Tabernacle accounts (e.g., Exodus 39:32, Exodus 39:42) underscores the divine origin of the design and the absolute necessity of precise obedience. It highlights that the entire project, down to the smallest detail like a blue lace, was not a human invention but a divinely ordained blueprint for worship and relationship with God.

Verse Breakdown

"And they tied unto it a lace of blue,": This phrase refers to the skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, and their teams, who were meticulously executing God's commands. The "it" refers to the gold plate (or "holy crown") mentioned in the preceding verse, Exodus 39:30. The "lace of blue" indicates the specific material and color used for attachment, emphasizing the divine prescription for even the smallest components. The blue color, often symbolizing heaven and divinity, visually connects the earthly garment to its heavenly purpose and the divine nature of the high priest's office.
"to fasten [it] on high upon the mitre;": This specifies the method and prominent placement of the gold plate. The plate was not merely to be placed but securely "fastened," indicating permanence and stability, vital for a sacred object. Its position "on high upon the mitre" (the high priest's turban) ensured its maximum prominence and visibility. This prominent display of the "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" inscription (from Exodus 39:30) was crucial, as it signified the high priest's consecrated status and his role as the representative of a holy people before a holy God.
"as the LORD commanded Moses.": This concluding phrase serves as a divine imprimatur, validating the entire process. It is a recurring refrain throughout the construction narrative of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (e.g., Exodus 39:32, Exodus 39:42), underscoring the absolute fidelity of the Israelites to God's precise instructions. This emphasizes that every detail, no matter how seemingly minor, was part of God's perfect design for worship and the establishment of His presence among His people, reinforcing the theme of divine authority and human obedience.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in Exodus 39:31, and indeed throughout the entire Tabernacle construction narrative, is Repetition. The phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" (or variations thereof) is a powerful refrain that appears dozens of times across Exodus 35-40. This repetition serves to underscore the divine authority behind every detail of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, emphasizing the absolute obedience of the craftsmen and the Israelites to God's precise instructions. It acts as a theological validation, asserting that the completed work is not merely a human endeavor but a perfect fulfillment of divine will. Furthermore, the entire description of the priestly garments, including the mitre and the gold plate, functions as Symbolism. Each component, from the gold to the blue lace, carries profound theological meaning, representing holiness, divine presence, atonement, and the consecrated nature of the high priest's office. The blue lace, specifically, acts as a Metonymy for heavenly origin or divine connection, as the color blue itself was widely associated with the sky and deity in the ancient world. The meticulous detail itself can be seen as a form of Hyperbole or Emphasis, drawing the reader's attention to the extraordinary care and precision God demands in matters of worship and holiness.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Exodus 39:31, though detailing a seemingly small component of the high priest's vestments, powerfully encapsulates several core theological themes: the paramount importance of divine command and human obedience, the pervasive nature of holiness in God's presence, and the meticulousness of God's design for worship. The repeated affirmation "as the LORD commanded Moses" elevates the act of obedience to a central act of worship, demonstrating that true reverence involves faithful adherence to God's revealed will in every detail. The blue lace, connecting the inscribed gold plate to the mitre, visually links the high priest's consecrated role to a heavenly mandate, emphasizing that his authority and function derived solely from God. This divine precision in the Old Covenant foreshadows the ultimate perfection required in the New, where Christ perfectly fulfills all requirements.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The meticulous detail of Exodus 39:31, focusing on a mere lace, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and intentionality, and that His commands, even those seemingly minor, carry significant weight. Our service to God, whether in grand acts or daily routines, should be characterized by a similar attention to detail and a heart of obedience, recognizing that every aspect of our lives can be an act of worship. Just as the high priest's attire was designed to visibly proclaim "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," our lives, as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), are called to reflect God's holiness in a fallen world. This involves not just grand gestures of faith but also the "blue laces" of our daily choices—our integrity in small matters, our faithfulness in hidden tasks, our consistent pursuit of righteousness in every sphere, and our commitment to the seemingly insignificant details of Christian discipleship. The divine command for precise execution underscores that true worship is not about human innovation but about humble submission to God's perfect will, trusting that His design is always superior and purposeful.

Questions for Reflection

In what areas of my life or service to God might I be overlooking "small" details that God considers important?
How does the meticulousness of God's commands for the Tabernacle challenge my own approach to obedience and worship today, particularly in areas I might deem insignificant?
What "laces of blue" (seemingly minor acts of faithfulness and integrity) in my daily life can I intentionally use to fasten "holiness to the Lord" onto my spiritual walk, making my life a visible testament to His character?

FAQ

Why was a "lace of blue" specifically commanded for the high priest's mitre?

Answer: The "lace of blue" (Hebrew: tᵉkêleth) was specifically commanded because blue was a highly significant and costly color in ancient Israelite culture and the broader ancient Near East. It was a dye derived from a specific mollusk, making it rare and valuable. Symbolically, blue was often associated with the heavens, divinity, and royalty. Its use here was not arbitrary but profoundly symbolic. It served to visually connect the high priest's office and the gold plate inscribed "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" to its divine, heavenly origin. It emphasized that the high priest's authority and his role as mediator were not earthly appointments but were divinely ordained, reflecting the very nature of God and the celestial realm. This meticulous detail underscores God's intentionality in every aspect of the Tabernacle and priestly garments, ensuring they perfectly communicated theological truths about His character and His relationship with His people, as seen throughout the detailed instructions in Exodus 25-31.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Exodus 39:31, with its emphasis on the meticulously prepared high priestly garments, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The gold plate, fastened prominently "on high upon the mitre" with a lace of blue, bearing the inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," powerfully prefigured the perfect and eternal High Priest. While the earthly high priest wore a symbol of holiness, Jesus is holiness incarnate (Hebrews 7:26). The blue lace, signifying heavenly origin and divine connection, points to Christ's own divine nature and His descent from heaven to earth (John 3:13). Unlike the Levitical priests who had to continually offer sacrifices and wear symbolic garments to approach God, Jesus entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all, not with symbolic attire, but with His own shed blood (Hebrews 9:11-12). He is the true "High Priest of our confession" (Hebrews 3:1), who perfectly embodies and fulfills all that the Old Testament priesthood and its garments only foreshadowed. Through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, He has made us, His church, a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), bearing His holiness not on a physical plate, but in our very lives, by His Spirit, as we are conformed to the image of the true, spotless Lamb of God (Romans 8:29).

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Commentary on Exodus 39 verses 1–31

1 ¶ And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

2 And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

4 They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.

5 And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.

6 And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.

7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

8 And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.

11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.

14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

15 And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.

16 And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.

17 And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.

18 And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.

19 And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.

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.

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.

22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.

23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;

26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

31 And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.

In this account of the making of the priests' garments, according to the instructions given (ch. 28), we may observe, 1. That the priests' garments are called here clothes of service, Exo 39:1. Note, Those that wear robes of honour must look upon them as clothes of service; for from those upon whom honour is put service is expected. It is said of those that are arrayed in white robes that they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, Rev 7:13, Rev 7:15. Holy garments were not made for men to sleep in, or to strut in, but to do service in; and then they are indeed for glory and beauty. The Son of man himself came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. 2. That all the six paragraphs here, which give a distinct account of the making of these holy garments, conclude with those words, as the Lord commanded Moses, Exo 39:5, Exo 39:7, Exo 39:21, Exo 39:26, Exo 39:29, Exo 39:31. The like is not in any of the foregoing accounts, as if in these, more than any other of the appurtenances of the tabernacle, they had a particular regard to the divine appointment, both for warrant and for direction. It is an intimation to all the Lord's ministers to make the word of God their rule in all their ministrations, and to act in observance of and obedience to the command of God. 3. That these garments, in conformity to the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle, were very rich and splendid; the church in its infancy was thus taught, thus pleased, with the rudiments of this world; but now under the gospel, which is the ministration of the Spirit, to affect and impose such pompous habits as the church of Rome does, under pretence of decency and instruction, is to betray the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and to entangle the church again in the bondage of those carnal ordinances which were imposed only till the time of reformation. 4. That they were all shadows of good things to come, but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel; when therefore the substance has come, it is a jest to be fond of the shadow. (1.) Christ is our great high-priest; when he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service - he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which he received not by measure - girded himself with the curious girdle of resolution, to go through with his undertaking - charged himself with the curious girdle of resolution, to go through with his undertaking - charged himself with all God's spiritual Israel, bore them on his shoulders, carried them in his bosom, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them in the breast-plate of judgment unto his Father. And (lastly) he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness: now consider how great this man is. (2.) True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made is the righteousness of saints (Rev 19:8), and Holiness to the Lord must be so written upon their foreheads that all who converse with them may see, and say, that they bear the image of God's holiness, and are devoted to the praise of it.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–31. 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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