The second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond . Here all the names must be wrong, for none of these three stones could be cut by the ancient engravers. Probably, carbuncle (or garnet), lapis lazuli, and onyx are intended. read more
The third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst . The term "ligure" is unknown in modern mineralogy; and it is to the last degree uncertain what stone the ancients intended by their lingurium or lapis ligurius Some think that "jacinth," others that "tourmaline," is the stone here meant. A few suggest amber , but amber cannot receive an engraving. "Agate" and "amethyst" are generally allowed to be right translations. read more
The fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper . If the identifications above suggested are allowed, two at least of these translations must be rejected. We have supposed the third stone in the first row to have been the "beryl," and the third in the second the "onyx." Perhaps we should translate, "a turquoise, a sardonyx, and a jasper." (See the comment on Exodus 28:9 .) Their inclosings. Rather, "their settings," as in Exodus 28:17 . read more
The stones shall be with the names . Rather, "according to the names;" the number of the stones shall agree with that of the names, viz; twelve. Everyone with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes . Rather, "every one according to its name, they shall be for the twelve tribes," i.e; each, according to the name that is on it, shall stand for one of the twelve tribes. read more
(Compare Exodus 39:1-31.) Moses is now commanded to commit all that pertains to the offerings made to the Lord in the sanctuary to the exclusive charge of the members of a single family, who were to hold their office from generation to generation. In the patriarchal times, the external rites of worship had generally been conducted by the head of the tribe or family, in accordance with the principle involved in the dedication of the firstborn Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:12-13. Moses, as the... read more
Click image for full-size versionClothing for the priests (28:1-43)All priests wore special clothing that gave them a dignity and honour suited to their office. The high priest’s clothing was especially striking, but more importantly its various pieces helped the people understand the sacredness of his functions before God (28:1-3).The most colourful piece of clothing worn by the high priest was the ephod (GNB: sacred vest), a short linen garment of the same material as the tabernacle curtains... read more
four rows . Three in each row, 3 x 4 = 12, as 3 + 4 = 7. See App-10 . read more
the names . Order according to the "twelve tribes "as God chose them. They were individual here, because over the heart, the place of love: one name on each stone. the twelve tribes.Order not given here. In Exodus 28:10 according to the order of birth. Here, perhaps, according to Numbers 2:0 . See App-45 . read more
THE BREASTPLATE"And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillfull workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Four-square it shall be and double; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, four rows of stone a row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:17
Settings of stones . These were similar to those of the two shoulder stones— i.e. of filagree or cloisonne work—as appears from Exodus 39:13 . The first row of the stones is said to have been composed of a sardius , or sard, a topaz, and a carbuncle . Of these names the first only would seem to be tolerably certain. The second cannot be right, since the topaz was too hard a stone to be engraved by the ancient engravers. We may conjecture that the chrysolite, a pale stone not... read more