Exodus 28:21 kjv
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:21 nkjv
And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:21 niv
There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:21 esv
There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:21 nlt
Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal.
Exodus 28 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 21:12-14 | It had a great, high wall with twelve gates... and on the gates... the names of the twelve tribes... And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles... | Foundation of New Jerusalem includes God's chosen people, reflecting Old Covenant and New. |
| Ex 39:14 | There were twelve stones, corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel—each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. | Direct parallel, describing the actual making of the breastpiece. |
| 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 on our behalf. | Christ's perfect intercession in the heavenly sanctuary, prefigured by the high priest. |
| Heb 7:25 | Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. | Christ as the ultimate intercessor, similar to the high priest's representative role. |
| Rom 8:34 | Who is to condemn? 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 ongoing intercession for believers. |
| Rev 7:4-8 | And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel. | The sealing of God's people from the tribes, similar to names engraved. |
| Isa 49:16 | Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. | God's constant remembrance and care for His people. |
| 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 prized possession, His remembrance of them. |
| Heb 12:23 | ...and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven... | Names of believers written in heaven, highlighting their belonging to God. |
| Phil 4:3 | ...whose names are in the book of life. | Names of true believers recorded in God's eternal registry. |
| Lk 10:20 | Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. | Assurance and joy of individual believers being known by God. |
| Ex 17:14 | Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it to Joshua..." | Importance of writing/recording for remembrance and permanence. |
| Ex 28:12 | You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel... | Stones on the shoulders for remembrance, complementing the breastpiece's direct presence. |
| Isa 62:3 | You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. | God's people as precious, honored, and belonging to Him. |
| Eph 1:3-6 | He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless... | God's pre-ordained selection of His people, prior to their earthly existence. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... | Believers in Christ forming a spiritual priesthood, collectively approaching God. |
| Gal 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Spiritual Israel includes all believers in Christ, transcending tribal distinctions. |
| Deut 32:2 | May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew... | Emphasizes the permanence of teaching/words inscribed, akin to engraving. |
| Num 10:11-28 | In the second year, in the second month... the Israelites set out... the standards for the tribes of Israel, according to their divisions. | Organization and identification of the twelve tribes in their journey and camp. |
| Num 2:2 | The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the emblems of his ancestral house... | Tribal distinctiveness and organization under God's plan. |
| Eze 48:30-34 | These are the exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be 4,500 cubits long, three gates... named after the tribes of Israel: one gate of Reuben, one of Judah, one of Levi. | New Temple visions maintaining the tribal distinctions even in future glory. |
| Gen 49:1-28 | Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together that I may tell you what shall happen to you in the last days...” | Establishment and prophecies for the individual tribes of Israel. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 21 Meaning
Exodus 28:21 describes that the twelve precious stones on the breastpiece of the high priest must each bear the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These names are to be engraved like a seal, signifying permanent identification and representing the entire congregation before the Lord when the high priest ministers in the Tabernacle. This act ensures that God’s chosen people are continually brought before Him.
Exodus 28 21 Context
Exodus 28 describes the divine instructions for making the sacred garments for Aaron, the first high priest, and his sons. These garments distinguished them for holy service and were essential for their function in mediating between God and His people in the Tabernacle. The breastpiece of judgment (Heb. choshen mishpat) is a prominent element, specifically designed to be worn over the ephod and contains the Urim and Thummim (vv. 15, 30), instruments used for divine guidance. Verse 21 focuses on the twelve distinct stones, each representing one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), highlighting God's meticulous care for His covenant people. This underscores the theological principle that when the high priest entered God's presence, he bore the identity and concerns of every individual tribe, not just in general, but specifically and permanently inscribed before the Lord. This elaborate detail countered the arbitrary, often cruel, practices of pagan religions which lacked the intimate, representational access to deity that God provided for His people.
Exodus 28 21 Word analysis
- וְהָאֲבָנִים (v'ha'avanim): "And the stones". This collective noun emphasizes that not just one, but all the designated precious stones, symbolizing each tribe, are essential to this divine command. The plurality highlights the unity in diversity of God's people.
- תִּהְיֶיןָ (tih'yeinah): "they shall be". This is a prescriptive verb, denoting a divine command, not merely a suggestion. It signifies that this arrangement is God's will and must be fulfilled.
- עַל־שְׁמוֹת (al-shemot): "according to the names of". This phrase precisely links each stone to a specific tribal identity, ensuring no confusion or omission.
- בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל (b'nei Yisrael): "the sons of Israel". This refers to the twelve foundational tribes of the nation of Israel, God's chosen covenant people. It highlights their unique identity and lineage before God.
- שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה (shteim esreh): "twelve". This number is symbolically significant in Scripture, often representing governmental completeness, divine organization, and the totality of God's covenant people.
- עַל־שְׁמֹתָם (al-shemotam): "according to their names". A reiteration that reinforces the individual and personal representation of each tribe on its respective stone. This stresses the personalized attention God gives to His people.
- פִּתּוּחֵי חֹתָם (pittuchei chotam): "engraved like a seal". This phrase is crucial.
- פִּתּוּחֵי (pittuchei): "engravings" or "etchings". It implies careful, deliberate craftsmanship and permanence, deeply etched rather than lightly drawn.
- חֹתָם (chotam): "a seal" or "signet". Seals were used in the ancient world to authenticate documents, signify ownership, confirm identity, and provide security. Therefore, "engraved like a seal" means the names are permanently inscribed, marking the tribes as God's authenticated, owned, and perpetual possession.
- אִישׁ (ish): "each man". Emphasizes the individuality within the collective. Every single stone and thus every single tribe, has its specific place and representation.
- עַל־שְׁמוֹ (al-shemo): "on his name". Reinforces the singular identification of each stone with a tribal name, stressing exactness and distinct identity.
Words-group analysis:
- "And the stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel": This phrase directly connects the physical precious stones to the spiritual identity of God's people. It underlines that these costly gems serve a sacred, representational purpose.
- "twelve, according to their names, engraved like a seal": This entire phrase conveys precision, completeness, permanence, and divine ownership. The meticulousness of God's instruction emphasizes His perfect order and His deep personal knowledge and remembrance of each tribal entity. The "seal" signifies a binding, unbreakable commitment and authentication from God.
Exodus 28 21 Bonus section
- Symbolism of Names: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name often encapsulated a person's identity, character, and destiny. Engraving the names of the tribes implies that their very essence, identity, and collective future were presented to God. This extends to God knowing His people intimately.
- Preciousness of Stones: The selection of various precious stones (though not specified in v. 21, the preceding verses list them) underscores the value God places on His people. They were deemed worthy of the finest and most enduring materials, reflecting God's love and honor.
- Bearing Burdens: The high priest wearing the breastpiece over his heart and near the Urim and Thummim symbolized not only bringing the tribes before God but also bearing them. This implies taking their burdens, challenges, and hopes into God's presence for His attention and guidance. This concept is spiritually fulfilled by Christ, who bears the burdens of His people.
Exodus 28 21 Commentary
Exodus 28:21 is a meticulously detailed instruction emphasizing the foundational principle of divine representation and remembrance. The twelve stones on the breastpiece of the high priest symbolize God's direct and unwavering engagement with each and every tribe of Israel. Engraving "like a seal" points to permanence and authenticity, meaning these names were perpetually presented before the Lord when the priest served. This was not a general idea, but a specific, undeniable memorial. The high priest carried the full identity of the nation into God's presence, highlighting a ministry of identification and intercession. This physical representation foreshadows the spiritual reality of believers being "in Christ," carried by Him into the heavenly sanctuary, where He eternally intercedes on their behalf. It reassures that God’s covenant people are continually visible, cherished, and acknowledged by Him.