Exodus 39:11-21

11 and the second row [was] a malachite, a sapphire, and a moonstone;

12 and the third row [was] a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

13 and the fourth row [was] a turquoise, an onyx, and a jasper. [They were] set [with] gold filigree settings in their mountings.

14 And the stones [were] according to the names of the {Israelites}; they [were] twelve according to their names, [with] seal engravings, each according to its name for [the] twelve tribes.

15 And they made on the breast piece braided chains, a work of pure gold ornamental cord.

16 And they made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and they put the two rings on the two edges of the breast piece.

17 And they put the two gold ornamental cords on the two rings on the edges of the breast piece.

18 And they put the two ends of the two ornamental cords on the two filigree settings, and they put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it.

19 And they made two gold rings, and they placed [them] on the two edges of the breast piece, on its lip that [is] on {the other side} of the ephod, {to the inside}.

20 And they made two gold rings and put them on the ephod's two shoulder pieces below, at its front near its seam above the waistband of the ephod.

21 And they tied the breast piece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord [so that] the breast piece [would] be on the waistband of the ephod and not come loose from the ephod, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 39

In this chapter is continued the account of making the several things belonging to the sanctuary, particularly the clothes for the service of the tabernacle, and the garments of the priests, as the ephod and its curious girdle, Ex 39:1-7 the breastplate and the putting of the stones in it, and the fastening of it to the ephod, Ex 39:8-21 the robe of the ephod, with the bells and pomegranates to it, Ex 39:21-26 and the coats, mitre, bonnets, breeches, and girdle of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons, Ex 39:27-29 and the golden plate, Ex 39:30,31 and all being finished, the tabernacle and everything belonging to it were brought to Moses, and viewed by him; who seeing that all was done exactly according to the commandment of the Lord, blessed the people, and particularly the artificers, Ex 39:38-43.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [b]. Literally "beyond"
• [c]. Literally "houseward," "to house," meaning "inward"