Exodus 28 26

Exodus 28:26 kjv

And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.

Exodus 28:26 nkjv

"You shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which is on the inner side of the ephod.

Exodus 28:26 niv

Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.

Exodus 28:26 esv

You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod.

Exodus 28:26 nlt

Then make two more gold rings and attach them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 26 Meaning

This verse details a specific fastening mechanism for the high priest's breastpiece (choshen) onto the ephod, specifying two gold rings placed on the inner, lower edge of the breastpiece. These rings served as attachment points for chains or cords, ensuring the breastpiece, with its twelve tribes' stones, was securely joined to the ephod, which also bore the tribes' names on the shoulders. It signifies the divine precision required in priestly attire for approaching God, emphasizing connection, purity, and stability in mediation.

Exodus 28 26 Context

Exodus chapter 28 initiates God's detailed instructions for the high priest Aaron's sacred garments, following the plans for the Tabernacle. This section emphasizes the precise design and materials required for clothing that would distinguish Aaron and his sons, consecrating them for divine service. These garments were not merely functional but symbolic, representing the holiness of the priesthood and their mediatory role between God and Israel. The verse itself falls within the elaborate description of the "breastpiece of judgment" (choshen mishpat) and its critical connection to the ephod, the apron-like garment worn over the priestly tunic. The historical context is that of the nascent Israelite nation at Mount Sinai, receiving divine law and ordinances for worship, distinct from pagan practices, highlighting God's order, purity, and desire for specific approach. It directly counters arbitrary or self-devised worship prevalent in contemporary cultures by mandating exact specifications from the Creator.

Exodus 28 26 Word analysis

• And you shall make: This phrase denotes a direct, divine command to Moses, implying mandatory, precise obedience. It underscores that every detail of the priestly garments was ordained by God, not by human ingenuity.
• two rings: Hebrew: tabba'ot (טַבְּעֹת). Specifically "two" indicates symmetry and a balanced point of attachment. Rings imply circular forms, suitable for fastening and connection, providing mobility and strength while securing the object.
• of gold: Hebrew: zahav (זָהָב). This precious metal universally symbolizes purity, divine glory, eternal value, and sacredness in the Tabernacle. Its incorruptible nature points to God's holiness and the enduring quality of divine design. It was also resistant to tarnish, symbolizing an unblemished nature required for drawing near to God.
• and put them: This indicates an active placement and secure fixture, emphasizing the intention and purpose of the rings as functional attachment points rather than mere decoration.
• on the two ends: Hebrew: q'tsot (קְצוֹת), meaning extremities or borders. Refers to the lower corners of the breastpiece, signifying the secure anchoring points on both sides to prevent swaying or displacement during the priest's movements.
• of the breastpiece: Hebrew: choshen (חֹשֶׁן), or choshen mishpat (breastpiece of judgment). This key priestly garment, worn over the heart, contained twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the high priest's role in bearing the people before God. It also held the Urim and Thummim, means by which God's judgment and will were ascertained.
• on its inner edge: Hebrew: sfato happ'nimit (שְׂפָתוֹ הַפְּנִמִית), literally "its inner lip/brim." This specifies that the rings were not openly visible on the outer face but were positioned subtly along the inside perimeter. This could imply a strong, integral, and secure attachment that is not superficial, perhaps indicating the depth and sincerity required in worship and intercession.
• next to the ephod: This phrase defines the specific orientation and proximity of the breastpiece relative to the ephod. It indicates that the breastpiece would sit directly upon the ephod, creating a unified priestly ensemble, ensuring stability and a proper, dignified appearance for the High Priest during service. The connection emphasizes the breastpiece's dependency on the ephod for its positioning.

Word-groups analysis

• two rings of gold: This combination highlights both the precise quantity and the invaluable, pure material. It signifies divine perfection in design and the inherent sacredness of every component intended for divine service. Gold speaks of the divine nature of the priest's ministry and foreshadows Christ's divine-human person.
• on the two ends of the breastpiece: Specifies the strategic location of the rings at the lower, outermost corners, crucial for achieving secure and balanced fastening of this significant garment, ensuring that the breastpiece (and thus the tribes represented on it) would remain firmly positioned during priestly duties.
• on its inner edge next to the ephod: This intricate directional phrase underscores the meticulous design for integration. The "inner edge" ensures the connection is neat and less visible, creating a unified garment system, while "next to the ephod" means the breastpiece rests directly on the ephod, creating an appearance of seamlessness and a single garment, symbolizing the indivisible unity of the high priest's representative function (ephod and shoulders) and his intercessory burden (breastpiece over the heart).

Exodus 28 26 Bonus section

The seemingly small detail of gold rings for attachment highlights God's comprehensive vision, where even the unseen connections are specified and imbued with value. The 'inner edge' suggests that the divine design ensures a stable connection that might not be immediately obvious, much like the unseen divine workings that uphold all creation and sustain the believer. The secure fastening ensured that the "breastpiece of judgment," with its embedded stones representing the tribes, remained properly aligned with the "ephod," preventing the precious and symbolic stones from swinging loosely or becoming dislodged during movement. This physical integrity of the garments reflected the spiritual integrity required in presenting God's people before Him. It speaks to the concept of the priest as a single, unified entity in his mediatorial role. The breastpiece didn't hang from the ephod but was designed to rest upon it, supported and stabilized by these attachments, implying that the burden of bearing the people was held securely and stably by the divine design of the high priesthood itself.

Exodus 28 26 Commentary

Exodus 28:26 is a specific detail within God's highly prescriptive blueprint for the high priest's sacred garments. This instruction for two gold rings on the breastpiece's lower inner edge, "next to the ephod," illustrates the divine emphasis on order, integrity, and beauty in approaching God. The gold signifies the purity and preciousness required in divine service, while the precise placement of the rings ensures the secure and stable attachment of the breastpiece to the ephod. This meticulous connection symbolizes the inseparable nature of the high priest's ministry: bearing the people on his shoulders (ephod) for strength and support, and on his heart (breastpiece) in intercession and judgment before God. Every part of the priestly attire, down to these gold rings, served to present an unblemished, divinely appointed mediator, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly bears His people before the Father, not by external symbols, but by His own perfect and enduring work of atonement. The detail points to God's expectation of absolute conformity to His standards in worship, serving as a reminder that the path to God is according to His terms, not human preference.