6 And they wrought H6213 onyx H7718 stones H68 inclosed H4142 in ouches H4865 of gold, H2091 graven, H6605 as signets H2368 are graven, H6603 with the names H8034 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
7 And he put H7760 them on the shoulders H3802 of the ephod, H646 that they should be stones H68 for a memorial H2146 to the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
8 And he made H6213 the breastplate H2833 of cunning H2803 work, H4639 like the work H4639 of the ephod; H646 of gold, H2091 blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen. H8336
9 It was foursquare; H7251 they made H6213 the breastplate H2833 double: H3717 a span H2239 was the length H753 thereof, and a span H2239 the breadth H7341 thereof, being doubled. H3717
10 And they set H4390 in it four H702 rows H2905 of stones: H68 the first row H2905 was a sardius, H124 a topaz, H6357 and a carbuncle: H1304 this was the first H259 row. H2905
11 And the second H8145 row, H2905 an emerald, H5306 a sapphire, H5601 and a diamond. H3095
12 And the third H7992 row, H2905 a ligure, H3958 an agate, H7618 and an amethyst. H306
13 And the fourth H7243 row, H2905 a beryl, H8658 an onyx, H7718 and a jasper: H3471 they were inclosed H4142 in ouches H4865 of gold H2091 in their inclosings. H4396
14 And the stones H68 were according to the names H8034 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 twelve, H8147 H6240 according to their names, H8034 like the engravings H6603 of a signet, H2368 every one H376 with his name, H8034 according to the twelve H8147 H6240 tribes. H7626
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 39
Commentary on Exodus 39 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 39
Ex 39:1-43. Garments of the Priests.
1, 2. cloths of service—official robes. The ephod of the high priest, the robe of the ephod, the girdle of needlework, and the embroidered coat were all of fine linen; for on no material less delicate could such elaborate symbolical figures have been portrayed in embroidery, and all beautified with the same brilliant colors. (See on Ex 28:1-43).
3. cut the gold into wires to work it—that is, the metal was beaten with a hammer into thin plates, cut with scissors or some other instrument into long slips, then rounded into filaments or threads. "Cloth of golden tissue is not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens of it have been found rolled about mummies; but it is not easy to determine whether the gold thread was originally interwoven or subsequently inserted by the embroiderer" [Taylor].
30. a writing, like to the engravings of a signet—The seal-ring worn both by ancient and modern Egyptians on the little finger of the right hand, contained, inscribed on a cornelian or other precious stone, along with the owner's name, a religious sentiment or sacred symbol, intimating that he was the servant of God, or expressive of trust in Him. And it was to this practice the inscription on the high priest alludes (compare Joh 3:33).
34. the covering of rams' skin dyed red—(See on Ex 25:5). It was probably red morocco leather and "badgers' skins," rather "the skins of the tahash, supposed to be the dugong, or dolphin of the Red Sea, the skin of which is still used by the Arabs under the same appellation" [Goss].
43. Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded—A formal inspection was made on the completion of the tabernacle, not only with a view to have the work transferred from the charge of the workmen, but to ascertain whether it corresponded with "the pattern." The result of a careful and minute survey showed that every plank, curtain, altar, and vase had been most accurately made of the form, and in the place designed by the Divine Architect—and Moses, in accepting it of their hands, thanked God for them, and begged Him to bless them.