Exodus 28 11

Exodus 28:11 kjv

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

Exodus 28:11 nkjv

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall set them in settings of gold.

Exodus 28:11 niv

Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings

Exodus 28:11 esv

As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree.

Exodus 28:11 nlt

Engrave these names on the two stones in the same way a jeweler engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in settings of gold filigree.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 11 Meaning

Exodus 28:11 describes the meticulous craftsmanship required for the two onyx stones adorning the ephod's shoulder pieces, upon which the names of the twelve sons of Israel were to be precisely engraved, resembling the high art of a lapidary and the permanence of a signet. These stones, set in frames of gold, symbolized the high priest bearing the tribes of Israel continually before the Lord with strength and preciousness, signifying divine remembrance and intercession.

Exodus 28 11 Context

Exodus chapter 28 initiates the detailed divine instructions for the construction of the priestly garments for Aaron and his sons, necessary for their service in the Tabernacle. This chapter moves from the general call to consecrate Aaron to the specific components of the high priest's attire, emphasizing holiness and beauty "for glory and for beauty" (Exo 28:2). Verse 11 focuses on the initial steps of preparing the ephod, specifically the two onyx stones that were to be placed on its shoulder pieces. These stones, bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, represented the entire nation. The meticulous detail in the instructions highlights the divine precision required for all aspects of worship and the deep symbolic significance of each element in reflecting God's relationship with His people and their approach to Him.

Historically and culturally, the ancient Near East, including Egypt, was renowned for its skilled craftsmen, particularly in lapidary work and the engraving of seals and amulets. Signet rings were symbols of authority and identity, often used to validate documents through their unique engravings. By commanding such a high level of artistry ("work of a lapidary, like the engravings of a signet"), God not only demonstrated the value He placed on the worship and representation of His people but also established a standard of excellence far beyond the common practices of neighboring idol worship, which often involved crude images. This instruction implicitly challenged the prevailing pantheon's demand for simple veneration, instead requiring absolute devotion through beauty, order, and symbolic representation, stressing that God deserves the best.

Exodus 28 11 Word analysis

• With the work of a lapidary:

  • Hebrew: כְּמַעֲשֵׂה חָרַשׁ אֶבֶן (k'ma'aseh charash even)
  • k'ma'aseh: "like the work of," indicating quality and standard.
  • charash: "craftsman," "engraver," or "artificer," implying a highly skilled artisan, one who cuts and shapes.
  • even: "stone," specifically referring to a precious stone.
  • Significance: This phrase sets the benchmark for the required skill. It implies not merely cutting, but shaping and perfecting with great care and precision, similar to a jewel craftsman, far beyond crude workmanship. It emphasizes divine expectation for excellence in all that pertains to God's service and people.

• like the engravings of a signet:

  • Hebrew: פִּתּוּחֵי חוֹתָם (pittuchei chotam)
  • pittuchei: "engravings," "carvings," indicating intricate, fine, and detailed work, typically cut deep into the stone.
  • chotam: "signet," "seal," typically a ring or stamp used to impress a unique design onto wax or clay, symbolizing authority, ownership, and authenticity.
  • Significance: This further specifies the type and quality of engraving. Signet engravings were known for their sharpness, clarity, and permanence. It speaks to the indelible nature of the names, as well as the unique identity and authorization bestowed upon the high priest's role in bearing these names before God.

• you shall engrave:

  • Hebrew: תְּפַתֵּחַ (tefattach)
  • Root: פָתַח (patach), "to open," "to engrave," "to carve out."
  • Significance: This is a direct command, emphasizing the divinely mandated action. The repetition of the root within the verse (from 'pittuchei' to 'tefattach') reinforces the central action of engraving, ensuring no ambiguity regarding the task's importance and method.

• the two stones:

  • Hebrew: שְׁתֵּי הָאֲבָנִים (shte ha'avanim)
  • shte: "two," specifically feminine dual form.
  • ha'avanim: "the stones," referring specifically to the onyx stones mentioned in Exo 28:9.
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the objects to be engraved. The onyx stone, being hard and beautiful, lent itself to fine engraving and was also valued for its beauty and strength, reflecting the endurance and beauty of Israel's tribal identity.

• with the names of the sons of Israel:

  • Hebrew: שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (shemot b'nei Yisrael)
  • shemot: "names."
  • b'nei Yisrael: "sons of Israel," referring to the twelve tribes collectively.
  • Significance: This is the content of the engraving. The names represent the entire community of God's chosen people, ensuring each tribe and its descendants are constantly brought before the Lord in remembrance through the high priest's intercession and representational function.

• you shall set them:

  • Hebrew: תַּעֲשֶׂה (ta'aseh) followed by תַּעֲבֵם (ta'abdem) from root 'ʿ-b-d', but contextually more likely from related words for 'to make' and 'to embed'. ESV combines "you shall set them" from "make...and set..." or "put them." Hebrew here for 'set them' is more literally "you shall make them" and implied 'set' is from context of "settings."
  • Significance: This commands the mounting of the stones into their gold framework. It emphasizes the complete process from engraving to securing, ensuring the names are prominently displayed and perpetually visible.

• in settings of gold:

  • Hebrew: מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב (mishbetzot zahav)
  • mishbetzot: "settings," "filigree work," or "frames," specifically intricate woven or plaited goldwork designed to hold gems securely and beautifully.
  • zahav: "gold."
  • Significance: Gold signifies purity, glory, preciousness, and divinity. The gold settings not only beautify the stones but also indicate their immense value and the sanctity of the names they bear. The durable and glorious setting matches the permanence of the engraving and the high value God places on His covenant people.

Words-Group Analysis

• "With the work of a lapidary, like the engravings of a signet": This combined phrase demands a level of artistry that goes beyond mere functionality, signifying divine excellence, precision, and permanence. It implies God values beauty and perfection in worship, not only utility. It assures that the names of Israel would be inscribed with utmost care and be resistant to erasure, symbolic of God's steadfast remembrance.

• "you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel": This is the core instruction—the representational act. The engraving itself signifies an enduring covenant, an indelible record. The 'two stones' (shoulders) denote strength and capacity to bear the entire nation before God, emphasizing the high priest's weighty and vital role as intercessor and representative.

• "you shall set them in settings of gold": This concluding instruction emphasizes the value, honor, and secure presentation of Israel before God. The preciousness of gold complements the preciousness of the engraved names, underscoring God's esteem for His people. The secure setting ensures their enduring display, much like God's perpetual presence and advocacy for His covenant partners.

Exodus 28 11 Bonus section

• The placement of the stones on the shoulders of the ephod is significant. In ancient thought and throughout Scripture, shoulders often symbolize strength, power, and the capacity to bear burdens (Isa 9:6 speaks of government on Messiah's shoulder). Thus, the High Priest carried the weight and responsibility of representing all twelve tribes, empowered by God.
• The number twelve universally signifies divine completeness, governmental order, and tribal representation throughout the Bible, linking Israel's earthly twelve tribes to the twelve apostles and the New Jerusalem in the heavenly realms.
• This verse, and indeed the entire priestly garment narrative, showcases the concept of mediated access to God in the Old Covenant, contrasting sharply with the direct access provided by Christ's sacrifice in the New Covenant (Heb 10:19-22).
• The permanence of engraving parallels other biblical instances where names or laws are written on durable materials, emphasizing their lasting nature (e.g., the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, God engraving us on the palms of His hands in Isa 49:16). This signifies the enduring quality of God's covenant with His people and His remembrance of them.

Exodus 28 11 Commentary

Exodus 28:11 lays down a profound instruction regarding the High Priest's ephod: the engraving of Israel's tribal names on precious onyx stones set in gold. This command transcends mere adornment, functioning as a powerful symbolic act. Firstly, the demand for "the work of a lapidary, like the engravings of a signet" stresses the requirement for utmost skill, precision, and beauty in divine service. This highlights that God desires not just compliance, but worship rendered with excellence, valuing human craftsmanship dedicated to His glory.

Secondly, the act of engraving the "names of the sons of Israel" signifies a deep, indelible connection. These names, borne on the High Priest's shoulders (symbolizing strength and responsibility), visually represented the entire nation constantly before the Lord in the Most Holy Place. This demonstrated God's unending remembrance and commitment to His people, making intercession and advocacy a central aspect of the priesthood. The names, once engraved, could not be erased, pointing to the unchanging nature of God's covenant and His people's place within it.

Finally, setting these sacred stones in "settings of gold" elevates their significance, marking them with purity, divine glory, and immense value. Gold, being an incorruptible metal, speaks to the eternal worth of the nation in God's eyes and the sacred, enduring nature of the priestly office. This precise instruction anticipates Christ's perfect high-priesthood, where He, as the ultimate Intercessor, bears His people not merely on earthly shoulders, but through His resurrected life, appearing perpetually in the presence of God on our behalf, with our names forever written not on stone, but in the Lamb's Book of Life.