Exodus 28:18 kjv
And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exodus 28:18 nkjv
the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Exodus 28:18 niv
the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald;
Exodus 28:18 esv
and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Exodus 28:18 nlt
The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.
Exodus 28 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:15 | "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment..." | Overall description of the breastpiece. |
| Exod 28:17 | "You shall mount in it four rows of stones..." | Establishes the structure of the stones. |
| Exod 28:21 | "There shall be twelve stones with their names..." | Each stone represents a tribe. |
| Exod 28:29 | "So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel... before the LORD." | High priest bearing Israel before God. |
| Exod 39:8 | "He made the breastpiece, embroidered like the ephod..." | Construction fulfillment. |
| Lev 8:8 | "He put the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim..." | Priestly ordination and function. |
| Num 2:2 | "The people of Israel shall encamp each by his own standard..." | Order and grouping of the tribes. |
| Rev 21:19 | "The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel." | Symbolic stones in New Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:20 | "the fourth onyx, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius..." | Enumeration of stones, linking to Exod 28. |
| Job 28:16 | "It cannot be weighed against the gold of Ophir..." | Value of wisdom above precious stones. |
| Prov 3:15 | "She is more precious than jewels..." | Wisdom's superior value. |
| Ezek 1:26 | "And above the expanse... there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire." | God's glory described with sapphire. |
| Isa 54:11 | "O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony..." | Restoration of Israel with precious stones. |
| Lam 4:7 | "Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were ruddier than coral, their attire was of sapphire." | Purity and beauty described with sapphire. |
| Zech 9:16 | "The LORD their God will save them on that day, as the flock of his people; for like jewels of a crown..." | God's people as precious jewels. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." | Believers as living stones. |
| 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's heavenly intercession for believers. |
| Rom 8:34 | "Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." | Christ's intercessory work, parallel to high priest. |
| Mal 3:17 | "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession." | God's people as His special treasure. |
| Song 5:14 | "His body is a polished ivory, encrusted with sapphires." | Description of beloved using sapphire. |
| Exod 25:9 | "According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle..." | Divine precision in all sanctuary details. |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things." | Earthly sanctuary reflecting heavenly reality. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 18 Meaning
Exodus 28:18 describes the specific gemstones to be placed in the second row of the high priest's breastpiece. These three stones – a turquoise (or carbuncle/garnet), a sapphire, and an emerald (or diamond/jasper) – along with those in the other three rows, represented three of the twelve tribes of Israel. The breastpiece itself, worn by the high priest, symbolized his role in bearing the names of God's people before the Lord continually, bringing their concerns and identity into God's presence.
Exodus 28 18 Context
Exodus chapter 28 is part of a detailed revelation from God to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction of the tabernacle and the garments for Aaron and his sons, who would serve as priests. Following instructions for the ephod (a priestly vestment), God commands the creation of a breastpiece, often called the "breastpiece of judgment." This verse specifically outlines the stones for the second of its four rows. Each of the twelve precious stones in the breastpiece was to be engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This entire section underscores God's meticulous instructions for worship and the sacred roles of those who ministered before Him, highlighting the symbolic representation of His chosen people in His presence. The historical context places these instructions during Israel's journey through the wilderness, laying the foundation for their worship life as a nation under the covenant with Yahweh.
Exodus 28 18 Word analysis
- And (וְוְהָשּׁוּרָה): Connects to the previous instruction about the first row (Exod 28:17), showing a continuation of the meticulous divine command.
- the second row (הַשֵּׁנִית): This specifies the ordinal position of this group of stones. God's design is highly organized and precise, indicating the importance of order in worship and representation. Each row likely corresponded to a group of tribes, although the exact tribal distribution per row is not explicitly stated in Exodus, only that the total twelve stones bear the twelve tribal names.
- shall be (הָרִאשׁוֹנָה): Implies a divine imperative; this is not a suggestion but a commandment for how the breastpiece must be made according to God's will.
- a turquoise (נֹפֶךְ - nophek): The Hebrew term nophek is often translated as carbuncle, garnet, or turquoise. The King James Version chose "turquoise." It denotes a precious stone, likely of a striking greenish-blue or deep red hue depending on the identification. In ancient times, stones of rich color were highly valued.
- a sapphire (סַפִּיר - sappir): The Hebrew sappir corresponds directly to "sapphire." While modern sapphires are typically blue, ancient sappir might have referred to lapis lazuli due to its commonality and rich blue color, especially in regions like Egypt. Sapphire (or lapis) carried connotations of the heavens, purity, and royalty due to its deep blue hue. It's often associated with divine majesty, as seen in visions like Ezekiel 1:26, where the throne of God has the appearance of sapphire.
- and an emerald (וְיָהֲלֹם - v'yahalom): The Hebrew yahalom is debated. While KJV translates it as "emerald," other translations render it as "diamond" (e.g., NIV, ESV) or "jasper." If "diamond," it implies exceptional hardness and brilliance, perhaps symbolic of strength and purity. However, diamonds were very difficult to engrave in the ancient Near East. If "emerald," it's a vibrant green stone, often associated with life and healing. If "jasper," it could be a variety of colors, adding another rich hue. The uncertainty itself speaks to the challenge of translating ancient mineral terms precisely across millennia, but its preciousness and suitability for engraving (unless diamond) are consistent.
Exodus 28 18 Bonus section
The exact identification of several precious stones in the Bible, including those mentioned in this verse, remains a subject of scholarly debate due to the lack of precise ancient scientific classifications and the variability in translating ancient terms. For example, nophek has a range of proposed meanings beyond just "turquoise," and yahalom has interpretations stretching from "diamond" to "jasper." This ambiguity does not diminish the spiritual significance; rather, it highlights the consistent emphasis on the preciousness and divinely ordained specific selection of these stones for the sacred purpose. What remains certain is that these were considered beautiful and valuable gems, fit for the High Priest who represented a holy God and His treasured people.
Exodus 28 18 Commentary
Exodus 28:18, nestled within God's instructions for the priestly garments, illustrates the divine meticulousness in creating a sacred space and a mediatorial system for Israel. The three specific gemstones—turquoise, sapphire, and emerald—chosen for the second row of the breastpiece were not arbitrary. Each stone was valuable, reflecting the preciousness of God's people in His sight. The selection of vibrant, costly materials underlined the majesty of the One being served and the weighty responsibility of the High Priest.
This verse emphasizes order and intentional design. The stones, collectively, represented the twelve tribes of Israel, each name engraved upon one. When the high priest entered God's presence, he bore the names and thus the very identity of the entire nation before the Lord. This act symbolized God's continual remembrance of His covenant people. It was a tangible expression of the intercessory role of the priest, presenting Israel’s needs and existence perpetually before God's mercy seat. The beauty and variety of the stones also signify the diversity and yet unity of God's chosen people. Ultimately, these earthly priestly garments and their adornments prefigured the perfect and perpetual intercessory work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who continuously appears in the presence of God in heaven on our behalf (Heb 9:24), bearing His church before the Father, not through material stones, but by His own shed blood and everlasting righteousness.