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Texts -- Exodus 28:11-43 (NET)

Context
28:11 You are to engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel with the work of an engraver in stone , like the engravings of a seal ; you are to have them set in gold filigree settings . 28:12 You are to put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod , stones of memorial for the sons of Israel , and Aaron will bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial . 28:13 You are to make filigree settings of gold 28:14 and two braided chains of pure gold , like a cord , and attach the chains to the settings . 28:15 “You are to make a breastpiece for use in making decisions , the work of an artistic designer; you are to make it in the same fashion as the ephod ; you are to make it of gold , blue , purple , scarlet , and fine twisted linen . 28:16 It is to be square when doubled , nine inches long and nine inches wide . 28:17 You are to set in it a setting for stones , four rows of stones , a row with a ruby , a topaz , and a beryl – the first row ; 28:18 and the second row , a turquoise , a sapphire , and an emerald ; 28:19 and the third row , a jacinth , an agate , and an amethyst ; 28:20 and the fourth row , a chrysolite , an onyx , and a jasper . They are to be enclosed in gold in their filigree settings . 28:21 The stones are to be for the names of the sons of Israel , twelve , according to the number of their names . Each name according to the twelve tribes is to be like the engravings of a seal . 28:22 “You are to make for the breastpiece braided chains like cords of pure gold , 28:23 and you are to make for the breastpiece two gold rings and attach the two rings to the upper two ends of the breastpiece . 28:24 You are to attach the two gold chains to the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece ; 28:25 the other two ends of the two chains you will attach to the two settings and then attach them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it. 28:26 You are to make two rings of gold and put them on the other two ends of the breastpiece , on its edge that is on the inner side of the ephod . 28:27 You are to make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod , close to the juncture above the waistband of the ephod . 28:28 They are to tie the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod by blue cord , so that it may be above the waistband of the ephod , and so that the breastpiece will not be loose from the ephod . 28:29 Aaron will bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of decision over his heart when he goes into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually . 28:30 “You are to put the Urim and the Thummim into the breastpiece of decision ; and they are to be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord . Aaron is to bear the decisions of the Israelites over his heart before the Lord continually . 28:31 “You are to make the robe of the ephod completely blue . 28:32 There is to be an opening in its top in the center of it, with an edge all around the opening , the work of a weaver , like the opening of a collar , so that it cannot be torn . 28:33 You are to make pomegranates of blue , purple , and scarlet all around its hem and bells of gold between them all around . 28:34 The pattern is to be a gold bell and a pomegranate , a gold bell and a pomegranate , all around the hem of the robe . 28:35 The robe is to be on Aaron as he ministers , and his sound will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he leaves , so that he does not die . 28:36 “You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it the way a seal is engraved: “Holiness to the Lord .” 28:37 You are to attach to it a blue cord so that it will be on the turban ; it is to be on the front of the turban , 28:38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead , and Aaron will bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the Israelites are to sanctify by all their holy gifts ; it will always be on his forehead , for their acceptance before the Lord . 28:39 You are to weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen , and make the sash the work of an embroiderer . 28:40 “For Aaron’s sons you are to make tunics , sashes , and headbands for glory and for beauty . 28:41 “You are to clothe them– your brother Aaron and his sons with him– and anoint them and ordain them and set them apart as holy , so that they may minister as my priests. 28:42 Make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked bodies ; they must cover from the waist to the thighs . 28:43 These must be on Aaron and his sons when they enter to the tent of meeting , or when they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they bear no iniquity and die . It is to be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him.

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Aaron

    [isbe] AARON - ar'-un, sometimes pronounced ar'on ('aharon--Septuagint Aaron, meaning uncertain: Gesenius suggests "mountaineer"; Furst, "enlightened"; others give "rich," "fluent." Cheyne mentions Redslob's "ingenious conjecture" ...
    [nave] AARON Lineage of, Ex. 6:16-20; Josh. 21:4, 10; 1 Chr. 6:2, 3; 23:13. Marriage of, Ex. 6:23. Children of, Ex. 6:23, 25; 1 Chr. 6:3; 24:1, 2. Descendants of, Ex. 6:23, 25; 1 Chr. 6:3-15, 50-53; 24. Meets Moses in the wilde...

  • Priest

    [ebd] The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices. At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the famil...
    [isbe] PRIEST - prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus: I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE 1. Implies Divine Choice 2. Implies R...
    [smith] The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct ...
    [nave] PRIEST. Before Moses Melchizedek, Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6, 10, 11; 6:20; 7:1-21. Jethro, Ex. 2:16. Priests in Israel before the giving of the law, Ex. 19:22, 24. Called angel, Eccl. 5:6. Mosaic Ex. 28:1-4; 29:9, 44; Num....

  • Linen

    [ebd] (1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes "flax," of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., "linen cloth", Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11. Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Jo...
    [isbe] LINEN - lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or c...
    [nave] LINEN Exported from Egypt, 1 Kin. 10:28; Ezek. 27:7; from Syria, Ezek. 27:16. Curtains of the tabernacle made of, Ex. 25:4; 26:1; 27:9. Vestments of priests made of, Ex. 28:5-8, 15, 39-42. Robes of royal households made o...

  • MITRE

    [ebd] (Heb. mitsnepheth), something rolled round the head; the turban or head-dress of the high priest (Ex. 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6, etc.). In the Authorized Version of Ezek. 21:26, this Hebrew word is rendered "diadem," but in the Rev...
    [isbe] MITRE - mi'-ter In the King James Version this word renders two Hebrew words, both of which, however, come from the same stem, namely, tsanaph, "to coil" or "to wrap round." In Ex 28, a mitre (the Revised Version margin "tur...
    [smith] (something rolled around the head), the turban or headdress of the high priest, made of fine linen cloth, eight yards long, folded around the head. On the front was a gold plate on which was inscribed Holiness to the Lord . (...

  • Revelation

    [nave] REVELATION God reveals himself to Moses, Ex. 3:1-6, 14; 6:1-3. The law is revealed, Ex. 20-35; Lev. 1-7; the pattern of the temple, 1 Chr. 28:11-19. The sonship of Jesus, Matt. 3:17; 16:17; 17:5. See: Inspiration; Prophec...

  • High priest

    [ebd] Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to this office (Ex. 29:7; 30:23; Lev. 8:12). He wore a peculiar dress, which on his death passed to his successor in office (Ex. 29:29, 30). Besides those garments which he wore...

  • Tabernacle

    [ebd] (1.) A house or dwelling-place (Job 5:24; 18:6, etc.). (2.) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24) containing the image of Moloch (Amos 5:26; marg. and R.V., "Siccuth"). (3.) The human body (2 Cor. 5:1, 4); a tent, as opposed ...

  • PRIESTS AND LEVITES

    [isbe] PRIESTS AND LEVITES - (kohen, "priest"; nothing is definitely known as to the origin of the word; Lewi, "Levite," on which see LEVI): I. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE HISTORY 1. The Old View 2. The Graf-Wellhausen View 3. Mediating...

  • Israel

    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • Embroider

    [ebd] The art of embroidery was known to the Jews (Ex. 26:36; 35:35; 38:23; Judg. 5:30; Ps. 45:14). The skill of the women in this art was seen in the preparation of the sacerdotal robes of the high priest (Ex. 28). It seems that ...

  • Breastplate

    [ebd] (1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See ARMOUR.) (2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It ...
    [nave] BREASTPLATE 1. For high priest, Ex. 25:7. Directions for the making of, Ex. 28:15-30. Made by Bezaleel, Ex. 39:8, 21. Freewill offering of materials for, Ex. 35:9, 27. Worn by Aaron, Ex. 29:5; Lev. 8:8. 2. Armor for sol...

  • PRIEST, HIGH

    [isbe] PRIEST, HIGH - (ha-kohen, ho hiereus; ha-kohen ha-mashiach, ho hiereus ho christos; ha-kohen ha-gadhol, ho hiereus ho megas; kohen ha-ro'sh, ho hiereus hegoumenos; New Testament archiereus): I. INSTITUTION OF THE HIGH-PRIEST...

  • CARVING

    [isbe] CARVING - karv'-ing: Carving, or engraving, was extensively used among the peoples of Bible lands. There were no materials used in the arts which were not subjected to the graver's skill. Carved objects of wood, stone, ivory...
    [smith] The arts of carving and engraving were much in request in the construction of both the tabernacle and the temple. (Exodus 31:5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18,35; Psalms 74:6) as well as in the ornamentation of the priestly dresses. ...

  • Carve

    [ebd] The arts of engraving and carving were much practised among the Jews. They were practised in connection with the construction of the tabernacle and the temple (Ex. 31:2, 5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18, 35; Ps. 74:6), as well as in t...

  • Ephod

    [ebd] something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Ex. 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Sam. 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Sam. 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by ...
    [nave] EPHOD 1. A sacred vestment worn by the high priest. Described, Ex. 28:6-14, 31-35; 25:7. Making of, Ex. 39:2-26. Breastplate attached to, Ex. 28:22-29. Worn by Aaron, Ex. 39:5. Used as an oracle, 1 Sam. 23:9, 12; 30:7, 8...

  • Urim and Thummim

    [isbe] URIM AND THUMMIM - u'-rim and thum'-im (ha-'urim weha-tummim (article omitted in Ezr 2:63; Neh 7:65); perhaps "light and perfection," as intensive plurals): 1. Definition: Articles not specifically described, placed in (next...
    [smith] (light and perfection). When the Jewish exiles were met on their return from Babylon by a question which they had no data for answering, they agreed to postpone the settlement of the difficulty till there should rise up "a pr...
    [nave] URIM AND THUMMIM, signifying light and perfection. In the breastplate, Ex. 28:30; Lev. 8:8. Eleazar to ask counsel for Joshua, after the judgment of, Num. 27:21. Priests only might interpret, Deut. 33:8; Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:6...

  • Stones

    [nave] STONES Commandments engraved upon, Ex. 24:12; 31:18; 34:1-4; Deut. 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-11; 10:1-3. The law of Moses written upon, Josh. 8:32. Houses built of, Isa. 9:10; Amos 5:11. Temple built of, 1 Kin. 5:17, 18; 7:9-12; Ma...

  • STONES, PRECIOUS

    [isbe] STONES, PRECIOUS - || 1. Ancient and Modern Names 2. Change of Signification of Names 3. Three Important Lists of Stones 4. Interpretation of Greek Names Used by John 5. Interpretation of Hebrew Names 6. Greek and Latin Equi...
    [smith] Precious stones are frequently alluded to in Scriptures; they were known and very highly valued in the earliest times. The Tyrians traded in precious stones supplied by Syria. (Ezekiel 27:16) The merchants of Sheba and Raamah...

  • Seal

    [isbe] SEAL - sel (substantive chotham, "seal," "signet," Tabba`ath, "signet-ring"; Aramaic `izqa'; sphragis; verb chatham, (Aramaic chatham); (sphragizo), (katasphragizomai, "to seal"): I. Literal Sense. A seal is an instrument of...
    [smith] The importance attached to seals in the East is so great that without one no document is regarded as authentic. Among the methods of sealing used in Egypt at a very early period were engraved stones, graved stones, pierced th...
    [nave] SEAL 1. A stamp used for signifying documents. Given as a pledge, Gen. 38:18. Engraved, Ex. 28:11, 21, 36; 39:6, 14, 30; 2 Tim. 2:19. Decrees signified by, 1 Kin. 21:8; Esth. 8:8. Documents sealed with: Ahab's letter, 1 K...

  • Ouches

    [ebd] an Old English word denoting cavities or sockets in which gems were set (Ex. 28:11).
    [isbe] OUCHES - ouch'-ez, -iz (mishbetsoth (Ex 28:11,13,14,25; 39:6,13,16,18) the American Standard Revised Version "settings," but in Ex 39:13, "inclosings"): The secondary meaning of this now archaic word is the gold or silver se...
    [nave] OUCHES, sockets, Ex. 28:11.
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Hymns

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  • [Exo 28:29] Now Let Our Cheerful Eyes Survey

Questions

  • Here's probably the best word on the Urim and Thummim. It's a couple of paragraphs from Dr. Bruce Waltke's excellent book (which I highly recommend), entitled, "Finding the Will of God" (pp. 62-64): "The priest could use t...

Sermon Illustrations

The Covenants of Scripture:; Urim and Thummim

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • One of the significant changes in the emphasis that occurs at this point in Genesis is from cursing in the primeval record to blessing in the patriarchal narratives. The Abrahamic Covenant is most important in this respect. H...
  • Exodus embraces about 431 years of history, from the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt (ca. 1876 B.C.) to the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai (ca. 1445 B.C.). However 1:1-7 is a review of Jacob's ...
  • I. The liberation of Israel 1:1-15:21A. God's preparation of Israel and Moses chs. 1-41. The growth of Jacob's family 1:1-72. The Israelites' bondage in Egypt 1:8-223. Moses' birth and education 2:1-104. Moses' flight from Eg...
  • The Lord had liberated Israel from bondage in Egypt, but now He adopted the nation into a special relationship with Himself."Now begins the most sublime section in the whole Book. The theme of this section is supremely signif...
  • The rest of this section contains the record of the Israelites' reaction to the giving of the Law and God's reason for giving it as He did. He wanted the people to reverence Him and therefore not to sin (v. 20).343"It can be ...
  • Here begins the revelation of those things that related to the Israelites' relationship with God (27:20-30:38). The preceding section (25:10-27:19) emphasized the revelation of the things that revealed God's character. The pr...
  • The ephod was the most important and outermost garment of the high priest. It was an apron-like piece of clothing that fit over his robe (vv. 31-35)."The duty of the high priest was to enter into the presence of God and make ...
  • The breastplate was a pocket of material of the same fabric as the ephod. Twelve precious stones fastened to the front of it, and two objects, the Urim and Thummim that were probably stones also, lay within it.The 12 jewels r...
  • The high priest also wore this garment. It was his basic garment over which he put the ephod. It covered him completely so his natural nakedness did not appear (cf. Gen. 3:21).God may have intended the pomegranates and bells ...
  • A plaque of pure gold attached to the front of the high priest's turban. It bore the engraved words, "Holy to the Lord.""Through this inscription, which was fastened upon his head-dress of brilliant white, the earthly reflect...
  • "As a sign of the Noahic covenant is the rainbow (Gen. 9:13), and as the sign of the Abrahamic covenant is circumcision (Gen. 17:11), the sign of the Mosaic covenant is the observance and celebration of the Sabbath day (Exod....
  • Breaking God's covenant resulted in the Israelites' separation from fellowship with Him. It did not terminate their relationship with Him, but it did hinder their fellowship with Him. Similarly when Christians sin we do not c...
  • The renewal of the covenant made the erection of the tabernacle possible. Here begins what scholars refer to as the Code of the Priests (Exod. 35--Lev. 16). Having broken the covenant once, God proceeded to give His people mo...
  • Moses described the directions for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings earlier (chs. 25-31). I will simply give a breakdown of the individual items here with references and parallel references (cf. also 35:11-19)....
  • The hangings and coverings 36:8-19 (cf. 26:1-14)The boards and bars 36:20-34 (cf. 26:15-30)The veil and screen 36:35-38 (cf. 26:31-37)"The order of recounting the construction of the parts of the tabernacle is not the same as...
  • Moses described the preparation of the priests' clothes at length as is appropriate in view of their importance.The ephod 39:2-7 (cf. 28:6-12)The breastplate 39:8-21 (cf. 28:15-29)The robe 39:22-26 (cf. 28:31-34)The other acc...
  • The Israelites erected the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, almost exactly one year after the Israelites left Egypt (vv. 2, 17). This was about nine months after Israel had arrived at Mt. Sinai (cf. 19:1).First...
  • Each morning a priest would put on his robes, approach the altar of burnt offerings, and clean out the ashes. Correct clothing was essential so that it would cover his "flesh"(i.e., his private parts, v. 10; cf. Exod. 20:26; ...
  • The account of the consecration of the priests and the priesthood (chs. 8-10) follows the regulations concerning offerings. We have a change in literary genre here from legal to narrative material. The legal material in chapt...
  • This chapter contains one of the great failures of Israel that followed one of its great blessings.238As God was preparing to bless His people they were preparing to disobey Him."So now we come to the ultimate rebellion of Is...
  • Moses turned in his address from contemplating the past to an exhortation for the future. This section is the climax of his first speech."The parallel between the literary structure of this chapter and that of the Near Easter...
  • The supernatural victory God had given His people elevated Gideon into national recognition. Some of the men of Israel invited Gideon to be their king and to begin a dynasty of rulers (v. 22). Perhaps they were from the north...
  • In the previous paragraphs two statements about the main characters described them and framed the paragraph: they did not regard the Lord, and they despised the Lord's offerings (vv. 12, 17). Likewise in this one the writer d...
  • Keilah was about three miles southeast of Adullam in the Shephelah, the foothills between the coastal plain on the west and the hill country of Judah on the east. The Philistines were plundering the threshing floors there. Th...
  • The lesson the writer intended this incident to teach the readers is that Yahweh is holy and His people should not take His presence among them lightly (cf. Lev. 10:1-11; Num. 16). God's presence is real, and His people must ...
  • God had revealed detailed plans for the temple to David (v. 19). Evidently God had instructed David as He had Moses (Exod. 25-31). The writer did not include all the details of the plan David received from the Lord any more t...
  • These men returned but could not serve as priests until the high priest could determine that they were indeed descendants of Aaron (cf. Num. 16:40; 18:9-10). Perhaps the high priest did this using the Urim and Thummim if thes...
  • This is the sixth and last message that Ezekiel received from the Lord the night before the refugees reached the exiles with the message that Jerusalem had fallen (cf. 33:21-22). It too deals with God's plans for Israel in th...
  • The Book of Ezekiel begins with a vision of God's glory (ch. 1), records the departure of God's glory (chs. 8-11), and ends with another vision of God's glory (chs. 40-48). This is the longest vision outside the Book of Revel...
  • 44:15-16 The Levites from Zadok's branch of the priestly family, however, would have special privileges since Zadok and his sons had served the Lord faithfully in the past (cf. 40:46; 1 Sam. 2:35; 2 Sam. 8:17; 15:24-29; 1 Kin...
  • 3:1 Zechariah's guiding angel next showed the prophet, in his vision, Joshua (lit. Yahweh saves), Israel's current high priest (6:11; Ezra 5:2; Neh. 7:7; Hag. 1:1), standing before the angel of the Lord (1:11-12). "The accuse...
  • 14:16 The remaining former enemies of Israel who would not die would bow to the sovereignty of Yahweh (cf. 8:20-23; Isa. 2:2-4; 45:21-24; 60:4-14; Ezek. 40-48; Phil. 2:10). They would be expected to make annual pilgrimages to...
  • 17:17 "To sanctify"(Gr. hagiazo) means to set apart for God's service (cf. Exod. 28:41; Jer. 1:5). Jesus is the perfect example of a sanctified person. He devoted Himself completely and consistently to God's will for Him. San...
  • 2:26 The "these things"in view probably refer to what John had just written (vv. 18-25)."The author concludes his attack on the false teachers with a warning and a word of encouragement for his followers."992:27 The "anointin...
  • Jesus Christ gave no rebuke to this church, as was true of the church in Smyrna. He gave the Christians five promises instead.1. Their Jewish antagonists would eventually have to acknowledge that the Christians were the true ...
  • 21:11 This city obviously appeared extremely impressive to John. The first and most important characteristic that John noted was its radiant glow. It shone with the splendor of God Himself because He was in it (cf. Exod. 40:3...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Exodus 28:12-29Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, Holiness to the Lord,' and in those other...
  • Exodus 28:36, Zech. 14:20, Rev. 22:4.You will have perceived my purpose in putting these .three widely separated texts together. They all speak of inscriptions, and they are all obviously connected with each other. The first ...
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