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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 28:15-30

The most considerable of the ornaments of the high priest was this breast-plate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously wrought with gold and purple, etc., two spans long and a span broad, so that, being doubled, it was a span square, Exod. 28:16. This was fastened to the ephod with wreathen chains of gold (Exod. 28:13, 14, 22) both at top and bottom, so that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod, Exod. 28:28. The ephod was the garment of service; the breast-plate of judgment was an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:18

And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. The first of these stones is by both the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan rendered an "emerald", as by us; and which is described by Pliny F11 Ut supra, (Nat. Hist. l. 37.) c. 5. as of a green colour, exceeding delightful and pleasant, and to which he gives the third place among precious stones; though by many the stone here called Nophec is thought to be the carbuncle, and is so rendered by the Septuagint; the carbuncle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:1-38

Aaron in his priesthood the type of Jesus. I. IN HIS APPOINTMENT ( Exodus 28:1 ). 1 . He is chosen of God ( Hebrews 5:4 ), and therefore our accepted intercessor. 2 . He is taken from among his brethren; "from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me." The priest who ministers before God for us must go up with a brother's heart and with experience of human infirmity ( Hebrews 4:15 ). II. IN HIS ARRAY . The holy garments were "for glory and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:13-30

The Teachings of the Breast-plate. The breast-plate of judgment has many aspects, and teaches us several important truths— e.g. :— I. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF SOULS IN GOD 'S SIGHT . The tribes of Israel are represented by gems—gems of the most precious kinds known to, and workable by the engravers of the day—sard, and onyx, and carbuncle, and lapis lazuli, and chrysolite, and perhaps turquoise. We are reminded by this of the saying of the Lord recorded by the prophet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:18

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 28:1-43

(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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:1-43

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 28:15-30

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

Thomas Constable

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

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