Exodus 28 14

Exodus 28:14 kjv

And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathed work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathed chains to the ouches.

Exodus 28:14 nkjv

and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the settings.

Exodus 28:14 niv

and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

Exodus 28:14 esv

and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.

Exodus 28:14 nlt

then braid two cords of pure gold and attach them to the filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 14 Meaning

This verse details a specific instruction for creating two chains of pure gold, emphasizing that their construction should mimic the form of twisted cords and be crafted with intricate braided work. These chains were integral to the High Priest's sacred garments, serving to securely attach the breastpiece to the ephod, ensuring that the breastpiece, bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, remained fixed over the High Priest's heart.

Exodus 28 14 Context

Exodus chapter 28 initiates the detailed divine instructions for the priestly garments, specifically for Aaron and his sons, to be made holy for service to the Lord. These garments signify their separation unto God and their role as mediators between God and Israel. Verses 6-14 describe the ephod, a highly ornate garment, and its various components, including the shoulder pieces that held onyx stones inscribed with the names of the tribes. Verse 14, in particular, focuses on the specific design of the golden chains intended to connect the breastpiece, which bore twelve precious stones with the tribes' names, to these ephod shoulder pieces. This meticulous instruction emphasizes God's precision and holiness concerning all aspects of worship and the representation of His people before Him in the Tabernacle. Historically, such precise divine blueprints were a polemic against the arbitrary, often idolatrous, worship practices of surrounding pagan cultures, demonstrating the unique authority and character of Yahweh.

Exodus 28 14 Word Analysis

• and two chains (וּשְׁתֵּ֣י שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֣ת – ūšĕttê šaršərōt):

  • וּשְׁתֵּ֣י (ūšĕttê): "And two." The dual number indicates specific quantity, reflecting God's precise instruction. Not one, not three, but exactly two. This underscores the deliberate and symmetrical nature of the priestly garments, mirroring divine order.
  • שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֣ת (šaršərōt): "Chains." From the root šaršar, suggesting interconnectedness. These are not merely decorative but functional connectors, vital for securing the breastpiece, ensuring the representation of Israel's tribes remained consistently before God.

• of pure gold, (זָהָ֣ב טָהֹ֗ור – zāhāv ṭāhôr):

  • זָהָ֣ב (zāhāv): "Gold." Gold is a consistently high-value metal in the Bible, signifying divinity, kingship, purity, and supreme worth. It is used extensively in the Tabernacle (Ex 25:3, 11), emphasizing the glory and preciousness of God's presence and holy worship.
  • טָהֹ֗ור (ṭāhôr): "Pure." Implies absence of alloy or impurity, both literally in metalworking and symbolically. The pureness of the gold signifies the holiness and perfection required in God's presence and for His service. It represents that which is uncorrupted and sacred.

• like cords, (מִגְבַּלֹת֙ – miḡ·ba·lōṯ):

  • מִגְבַּלֹת֙ (miḡ·ba·lōṯ): "Of twisted cords/cables" or "of intertwined work." The word derives from a root associated with twisted or platted strands, sometimes boundaries or ropes. It conveys the sense of something deliberately interwoven or cabled together, suggesting strength and resilience rather than a simple chain of links. This specification goes beyond mere appearance, hinting at durability and the intricate skill required in its creation, setting it apart from common metalwork.

• shall you make them, (תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם – ta‘ăśeh ’ōṯām):

  • תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ta‘ăśeh): "You shall make." This is a direct command from God to Moses (and by extension, to Bezalel and Oholiab, Ex 35:30-35). It emphasizes divine initiative and detailed instruction, leaving no room for human invention or preference in sacred worship. This repeated imperative highlights the non-negotiable nature of God's design.
  • אֹתָ֔ם (’ōṯām): "Them." Refers directly back to the "two chains."

• with braided work shall you make them. (מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה עֲבֹ֖ת תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם׃ – ma‘ăśēh ‘ăḇōṯ ta‘ăśeh ’ōṯām):

  • מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה עֲבֹ֖ת (ma‘ăśēh ‘ăḇōṯ): "Work of braiding" or "twisted work." This phrase clarifies the miḡbalot, further specifying the technique. ‘avōth means a rope or cord, implying something densely twisted or plaited. It denotes a high level of craftsmanship and meticulousness in weaving individual gold strands to form a strong, unified cord-like chain. This intricacy points to the value and significance of the item, created for the divine presence.
  • תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם׃ (ta‘ăśeh ’ōṯām): Repetition of "you shall make them," powerfully reiterating the precise instruction and command from God. This literary device emphasizes the crucial importance of following every detail of the divine blueprint.

Words Group Analysis

• "and two chains of pure gold": The initial specification highlights the quantity (two, for balance and secure attachment), the material (gold, symbolizing divine glory and preciousness), and its quality (pure, signifying holiness and undefiled nature). These attributes immediately communicate the sacredness and value of the object being described.

• "like cords, shall you make them, with braided work shall you make them.": This emphasizes the how – the specific method of craftsmanship. The repetition and double emphasis on "cords" and "braided work" reveal that these were not ordinary chains but meticulously crafted, intricately interwoven strands. This intricate braiding implies strength, flexibility, beauty, and security—qualities crucial for a component meant to hold the High Priest's representation of the tribes firmly before the Lord. It signifies that divine connections are strong and secure when constructed precisely according to God's detailed guidance.

Exodus 28 14 Bonus Section

• Security and Representation: The function of these chains, along with the golden rings (Ex 28:22-25), was to secure the breastpiece firmly to the ephod. This ensured that the breastpiece, inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, was always "upon his heart" when the High Priest entered the Holy Place (Ex 28:29-30). This symbolically means that the High Priest, as the representative, constantly bore the people's names before God, interceding for them. The strength of the "braided work" was crucial for this enduring representation.
• Divine Design, Human Skill: While the design was divine, its execution required immense human skill. Bezalel and Oholiab (Ex 35:30-35) were specifically filled with the Spirit of God for such intricate work, demonstrating that God equips those He calls for His purposes, enabling them to apply their talents precisely according to His blueprint. This shows the sacred partnership between divine command and consecrated human effort.
• Unity and Connection: The chains served as a crucial physical link, metaphorically representing the unity of the priesthood and the people with God's divinely ordained structure for worship. The braided nature also suggests interwoven unity, that various strands (individual Israelites, represented by the tribes) are bound together securely by the divine mediator.
• The Weight of Responsibility: The chains, along with the gold settings, supported the considerable weight of the breastpiece with its twelve stones. This physically symbolized the spiritual "weight" and responsibility of the High Priest in carrying the spiritual burden and identity of the entire nation before God, an office of immense importance.

Exodus 28 14 Commentary

Exodus 28:14 provides meticulous detail for a seemingly minor component of the High Priest's garments: two braided gold chains. Far from being an insignificant detail, this instruction reveals several profound truths. First, it underscores God's absolute demand for perfection and precision in worship. Every element of the Tabernacle and its service, down to the crafting of gold chains, was divinely specified, demonstrating that human innovation or preference had no place in approaching a holy God. The "pure gold" symbolizes the unblemished character of God and the standard He expects in sacred service, foreshadowing the perfect purity of Christ. The "braided work like cords" speaks of strength, durability, and intricate design—qualities reflecting the robust, unyielding, and complex nature of the covenant between God and Israel, and indeed, God's very nature. These chains were not just ornamental but functional, connecting the breastpiece (representing the tribes) securely to the ephod and therefore to the High Priest, illustrating his role in carrying Israel's identity before the Lord, a shadow of Christ who bears His people before God. This passage reminds us that obedience to God's revealed will, even in seemingly small details, is paramount for acceptable worship and effective representation before Him.