Exodus 28:21 NLT,NIV,ESV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 28:15-30

The breastplate 28:15-30The breastplate was a pocket of material of the same fabric as the ephod. Twelve precious stones were fastened to the front of it, and two objects, the Urim and Thummim, which were probably stones also, lay within it.The 12 jewels represented the 12 tribes. Each one was unique. God later called the Israelites His jewels (Malachi 3:17). The high priest carried the tribes on his heart (Exodus 28:30) as well as on his shoulders. The heart refers to the seat of feelings and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 28:20-43

6. The investiture of the priests 27:20-28:43Here begins the revelation of those things that related to the Israelites’ relationship with God (Exodus 27:20 to Exodus 30:38). The preceding section (Exodus 25:10 to Exodus 27:19) emphasized the revelation of the things that revealed God’s character. The priesthood is the primary revelation in this new section."The approach to the Holy One, both within the biblical tradition and outside it, has always included some kind of mediatorial ministry, for... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 28:1-43

The Priestly Garments1. All Israel is a ’kingdom of priests’ (see on Exodus 19:6), but for the special service of the sanetuary Aaron and his descendants are selected and solemnly consecrated: see Leviticus 8, 9. Nadab and Abihu died (Leviticus 10) and the priesthood was continued in the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar: see 1 Chronicles 24:1-6, and on Numbers 25:12.2. Holy garments] The garments are holy because they are specially set apart and consecrated for use in the sanctuary. 3. Whom I... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 28:13-30

2. THE BREASTPLATE.(13-30) The space devoted to the “breastplate” is indicative of its high importance. It was the most costly, most magnificent, and most conspicuous of the high priest’s garments, while at the same time it was the most mysterious. Externally it was a blaze of gold and jewels; internally it held those strange and precious objects known as “the Urim and the Thummim” (Exodus 28:30), by means of which the Divine will was made known to the high priest, and through him to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 28:21

(21) The stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel.—Rather, the stones shall be according to the names, &c.—twelve, neither more nor fewer.Every one with his name . . . —Rather, each stone, according to its name (i.e., the name engraved upon it), shall be (or, stand) for one of the twelve tribes. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Exodus 28:1-43

Exodus 28:15 ; Exodus 28:17 Aaron had to wear upon his breast before the Lord twelve precious stones, not of one sort, but each one reflecting the light differently from his neighbour. There was one nearly black, whatever the diamond thought of him. But all the stones being set equally upon the priest's breast, no one of them might quarrel with another, saying, 'You are quite wrong, you are; you ought to reflect the light as I do. You will never be admitted into the most holy place.' Even... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:1-43

CHAPTER XXVIII"THE HOLY GARMENTS."Exodus 28:1-43The tabernacle being complete, the priesthood has to be provided for. Its dignity is intimated by the command to Moses to bring his brother Aaron and his sons near to himself (clearly in rank, because the object is defined, "that he may minister unto Me"), and also by the direction to make "holy garments for glory and for beauty." But just as the furniture is treated before the shrine, and again before the courtyard, so the vestments are provided... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Exodus 28:1-43

CHAPTER 28 The Priesthood 1. Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:1 ) 2. The garments mentioned (Exodus 28:2-4 ) 3. The ephod (Exodus 28:5-14 ) 4. The breastplate (Exodus 28:15-30 ) 5. The robe of the ephod (Exodus 28:31-35 ) 6. The mitre (Exodus 28:35-38 ) 7. The ordinary garments (Exodus 28:39-43 ) This chapter is still richer in typical lessons, a very few of them we can notice. Two chapters are devoted to the priesthood. Aaron is the type of Christ. The sons of Aaron are types of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 28:1-43

GARMENTS FOR THE PRIESTS (vs.1-4) Aaron and his four sons were the priestly family, thus separated from the rest of Israel for this sacred purpose. This select priesthood is a contrast to the New Testament order, for today all true believers are included in the priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). But Aaron, the high priest, is typical of Christ, our Great High Priest, and his sons are typical of believers today in their priestly character. All the garments of the priests were "holy garments," and... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:1-43

THE PRIESTLY GARMENTS The abrupt termination of the directions for the tabernacle at the close of the preceding chapter is remarkable; especially as the subject is taken up again at chapter 30. There must be some reason why the intervening chapters are occupied with the priesthood. Some see in this the symbolism of a deep fact. God has in grace come out from His throne in the Holy of Holies through the way He has prepared for Himself in the table of shewbread and the candlestick, to meet man... read more