Exodus 28:17

Translations

Modern

And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

Traditional

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

Literal

And you shall fill in it fillings of stone, four rows of stone: a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald are the first row;

Latin

Ponesque in eo quatuor ordines lapidum: in primo versu erit lapis sardius, et topazius, et smaragdus:

Original

Hebrew

English

And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

Notes

Exodus 28:15–30

The breastpiece receives more attention than any other item. This suggests the breastpiece was very important.

The breastpiece symbolized the priest's representation of Israel (28:17–21, 29). It held the Urim and Thummim, objects through which God revealed his will (28:30).

The high priest had two main tasks. First, he brought the people to God. He represented them before the Lord.

Second, he brought God’s word to the people. He spoke to them on God’s behalf.

The chestpiece stood for both of these duties. It showed that the high priest served as a bridge between God and the people.

Exodus 28:1–43

These holy garments for Aaron were to distinguish him as a priest set apart (Hebrew qadash, “consecrated”) for the Lord's service (28:2, 3). The beauty of these garments matched the beauty of the Tent of Meeting, which was God's portable earthly palace (or tabernacle).

One day, Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, would enter the Most Holy Place once for all. Then the difference between priests and people would disappear (Hebrews 10:11–22). Until then, human mediators represented how Christ would fulfill the types of wonderful things God accomplishes for his people.

Theme notes and profiles

Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth

Events

Tabernacle Built

Related verses

Ezekiel 28:13
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation.
Exodus 39:10–21
And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;
Revelation 21:19–21
The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
Proverbs 20:15
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
Exodus 28:11
Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings.
Exodus 28:9
Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
Isaiah 54:11–12
“O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires.
Lamentations 4:7
Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires.
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Malachi 3:17
“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.

Exodus 28:17

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