Exodus 28:10 kjv
Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
Exodus 28:10 nkjv
six of their names on one stone and six names on the other stone, in order of their birth.
Exodus 28:10 niv
in the order of their birth?six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other.
Exodus 28:10 esv
six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth.
Exodus 28:10 nlt
Six names will be on each stone, arranged in the order of the births of the original sons of Israel.
Exodus 28 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 35:23-26 | The sons of Jacob were twelve... | Lists Jacob's sons, establishing the twelve tribes. |
| Exod 28:9 | ...take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel | Direct command for the engraving of tribal names. |
| Exod 28:12 | You shall put these two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod... as stones of remembrance... | High Priest bearing Israel as a memorial before God. |
| Exod 39:6 | They prepared the onyx stones...engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. | Fulfillment of the command for the stones. |
| Exod 39:7 | And he put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance... | Execution of the instruction, re-emphasizing remembrance. |
| Num 1:5-15 | Listing of tribal leaders according to their fathers’ houses and tribes. | Detailed enumeration of the tribes for census. |
| Num 2:1-31 | The sons of Israel shall encamp, each by his own camp... by tribes... | Divine order and arrangement of the tribes around the tabernacle. |
| Num 7 | All the tribes bring offerings for the dedication of the altar. | Highlights the twelve distinct tribes and their collective worship. |
| Deut 27:12-13 | Names tribes for blessing and cursing on Mount Gerizim and Ebal. | Reiteration of the distinct tribes and their roles in the covenant. |
| Josh 14-19 | Detailed accounts of land distribution by tribe. | Illustrates the distinct identity and inheritance of each tribe. |
| Ezek 48:31-34 | Gates of the new Jerusalem named after the tribes of Israel. | Continuity of the tribal representation in eschatological vision. |
| Rev 7:4-8 | Listing of the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel. | Echoes the divine recognition and order of the tribes. |
| Heb 7:25 | Consequently, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. | Christ's perpetual intercession, mirroring the High Priest's representation. |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands... but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. | Christ as our Heavenly High Priest appearing before God on our behalf. |
| Rom 8:34 | ...Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. | Christ's ongoing intercession for believers. |
| Exod 28:29 | So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment... | Names on breastpiece for judgment, complements shoulder stones for remembrance. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Believers as a spiritual "royal priesthood" representing God. |
| Lev 8:9 | Then he placed the ephod on him...and placed the two onyx stones on its shoulders... | Aaron’s ordination included the placing of the stones. |
| Zech 3:9 | For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone are seven eyes... | Stone symbolism can also carry divine watching or presence. |
| Gen 2:12 | and the gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. | Mentions onyx stone early in Creation, signifying its inherent value. |
| Job 28:16 | It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. | Onyx associated with value and rarity, befitting sacred use. |
| 2 Sam 22:42 | They looked, but there was no one to save; even to the LORD, but He did not answer them. | Connects to the burden the priest carries and the reliance on God's answer. (Distant connection for "bearing"). |
| Isa 46:3 | Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been carried by Me from birth... | God's bearing of His people, paralleling the priest bearing their names. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 10 Meaning
Exodus 28:10 details the arrangement of the twelve tribes of Israel's names upon the two onyx stones, which were to be placed on the shoulders of the High Priest's ephod. Specifically, it prescribes that six names be engraved on one stone and the remaining six names on the other stone, ordered according to the birth sequence of Jacob's sons, the patriarchs of these tribes. This engraving ensured that all of Israel was perpetually present, represented before the Lord through their High Priest, signifying both God's remembrance of His people and the priest's solemn responsibility to carry them into His presence.
Exodus 28 10 Context
Exodus chapter 28 initiates the detailed instructions for making the holy garments for Aaron, the first High Priest, and his sons. These garments were not merely functional; they were designed to be for "glory and for beauty," symbolizing the holiness, dignity, and representational role of the priesthood. The ephod, a highly ornate garment, is particularly significant, bearing the onyx stones mentioned in verse 10. The historical context is Israel at Mount Sinai, where God is establishing the terms of the Old Covenant, including the Tabernacle and its priesthood, to provide a structured system for His people to approach Him and for Him to dwell among them. This verse fits into the intricate divine blueprint for Israel's worship and a tangible expression of God's covenant relationship with each of the twelve tribes through their consecrated mediator.
Exodus 28 10 Word analysis
- "six": (שֵׁשׁ - shesh) Denotes numerical division, indicating precision and a balanced distribution of the twelve names across two distinct stones. This underscores God's meticulousness in organizing the representation of His people.
- "of their names": (שְׁמוֹתָם - shemotam, from שֵׁם - shem, meaning "name, renown, reputation"). More than just labels, "names" here represent the identity, unique character, and lineage of each tribe. Engraving their names signifies God's personal recognition and remembrance of each individual tribe, acknowledging their distinct identity within the unified nation.
- "on the one stone": (עַל הָאֶבֶן הָאֶחָת - ‘al ha’even ha’echat, אֶבֶן - even meaning "stone"). Refers to the precious onyx stone chosen for its beauty and durability. Placement on the High Priest’s shoulders (Exod 28:12) suggests the immense weight of responsibility the priest bears for the people. The stone serves as a permanent memorial, visually depicting Israel constantly borne by their mediator.
- "and the other six names": Completion of the total number of the tribes, emphasizing that all twelve tribes of Israel, without exception, are to be represented. This ensures the inclusivity of God's people in His presence.
- "on the other stone": Indicates symmetry and completeness. The pairing of stones often carried significance in the ancient world, potentially representing witness or testimony, further reinforcing the solemn nature of this act.
- "according to their birth": (תּוֹלְדֹתָם - tol’dotam, from תּוֹלְדוֹת - tol'dot, meaning "generations, descendants, genealogy, birth record"). This specifies the exact order of the names, emphasizing adherence to the natural, chronological lineage of Jacob's sons. This fixed order prevented disputes and reaffirmed God’s acknowledgment of the historical foundation of each tribal identity. It underscored the integrity of Israel's foundational structure rooted in family and lineage.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "six of their names on the one stone, and the other six names on the other stone": This phrase meticulously outlines the physical distribution and complete inclusion of all twelve tribes. It highlights the divine precision in representing the entire nation before God, ensuring no tribe is forgotten or excluded from the priestly intercession and divine remembrance. The numerical division is balanced, creating a sense of order and comprehensive coverage.
- "according to their birth": This clause provides the specific ordering principle for the names. It is a direct instruction for a historical and genealogical sequence rather than an arbitrary arrangement. This detail stresses the importance of lineage and God's recognition of the distinct, divinely ordered origins of each tribal identity within the collective nation. It roots the High Priest's representation in the very foundations of Israel's existence.
Exodus 28 10 Bonus section
- Stones of Remembrance: Exodus 28:12 explicitly states these stones are for "stones of remembrance" (אבני זכרון - avnei zikaron). This emphasizes that the High Priest, wearing the ephod, constantly reminded God (in an anthropomorphic sense, acknowledging divine knowledge) of His people, keeping them ever before His sight. It's a powerful visual theology of continuous divine attention and care.
- Symbolism of Shoulders: The placement of these heavy stones on the shoulders (not the breast, which holds a different set of stones) symbolizes strength, burden-bearing, and support. It visually represents the High Priest literally carrying the people, taking their collective concerns and needs into the Most Holy Place. This position also highlights authority and leadership.
- Distinction from Breastpiece: While the breastpiece (Exod 28:15-21) also bore the names of the tribes on precious stones, its function was connected to judgment and the Urim and Thummim, worn over the heart. The shoulder stones primarily focused on remembrance and the "bearing" or representation, signifying the high priest's continuous carrying of the identity and concerns of all Israel before God.
Exodus 28 10 Commentary
Exodus 28:10 describes a crucial detail of the High Priest's attire, embodying a profound theological truth. The engraving of the twelve tribal names on the onyx stones, placed on the High Priest's shoulders, signified that he was to "bear" or "carry" the weight and responsibility of the entire nation into the presence of the Lord. The specific ordering "according to their birth" underlines the divine attention to the unique identity and historical foundation of each tribe, ensuring every segment of God's people was acknowledged and perpetually memorialized before Him. This practice highlights God's continuous remembrance of His covenant people and His desire for an intercessor to stand on their behalf. In this intricate design, we see a foreshadowing of Christ, our Great High Priest, who permanently bears the names of His redeemed people on His strong shoulders, ceaselessly interceding for them in the very presence of God in heaven, not just symbolically but actually, representing us by virtue of His completed work.