Exodus 28:27 kjv
And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
Exodus 28:27 nkjv
And two other rings of gold you shall make, and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod.
Exodus 28:27 niv
Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod.
Exodus 28:27 esv
And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
Exodus 28:27 nlt
And make two more gold rings and attach them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash is fastened to the ephod.
Exodus 28 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 25:12 | "And you shall cast four rings of gold for it..." | Rings as connectors for sacred Tabernacle items. |
| Exo 28:23-24 | "...two rings of gold on the two ends of the breastplate." | Upper rings for breastplate attachment. |
| Exo 28:25-26 | "...and put the two gold chains on the two rings at the ends..." | Connection procedure of chains to rings. |
| Exo 28:28 | "...bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod..." | Full process of securing the breastplate. |
| Exo 28:29 | "...bear the names of the sons of Israel on his heart...continually." | Purpose: high priest's constant representation. |
| Exo 28:30 | "You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim..." | Core function: divine guidance and judgment. |
| Exo 39:20-21 | "...fastened the two rings of the breastplate...tied them to the ephod..." | Fulfillment of the command during construction. |
| Lev 8:8 | "And he put the breastplate on him..." | Aaron dressed with the finished garments. |
| Num 27:21 | "...he shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord." | Function of Urim/Thummim for national guidance. |
| Isa 59:17 | "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation..." | Metaphorical spiritual armor for God Himself. |
| Zec 3:4-5 | "...take away his filthy garments from him...clothe him with rich robes." | Priestly garments symbolize purity and calling. |
| Mal 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek..." | Priest's role in conveying divine instruction. |
| Heb 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens..." | Christ as our Great High Priest. |
| Heb 7:23-25 | "...Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever." | Christ's eternal, unchangeable priesthood. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "...Christ appeared as a high priest...not through the blood of goats..." | Christ's superior and perfecting sacrifice. |
| Heb 10:19-20 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place..." | Access to God's presence through Christ's work. |
| Jn 1:29 | "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" | Christ bears the ultimate judgment for humanity. |
| Rom 8:34 | "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died...intercedes for us." | Christ our advocate, making intercession for believers. |
| Eph 2:20 | "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself..." | The Church as a structured, connected spiritual house. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Believers' identity as spiritual priests. |
| Rev 1:13 | "clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest." | Vision of glorified Christ in priestly attire. |
| Rev 21:19-20 | "The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every jewel..." | Echoes of precious stones and divine glory. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 27 Meaning
Exodus 28:27 specifies a crucial detail for the High Priest's sacred breastplate, commanding the creation and placement of two golden rings. These rings were to be precisely affixed to the two lower extremities of the breastplate. This meticulous instruction ensured the breastplate's secure and stable connection to the ephod, preventing it from shifting or detaching. This fixed position underscored the high priest's continuous responsibility of bearing the judgment of the children of Israel steadfastly before the Lord.
Exodus 28 27 Context
Exodus chapter 28 presents God's meticulous instructions for crafting the sacred vestments of the High Priest Aaron and his successors. These garments were integral to their appointed role as mediators in worship and service to God. The breastplate, a focal point of this chapter, was to be a repository for twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of an Israelite tribe, and also to contain the Urim and Thummim, instruments for discerning God's will. Verse 27, in particular, contributes to the functional engineering of the breastplate's secure attachment. It is part of the divine blueprint ensuring the breastplate remained steadfastly positioned over the priest's heart. This precision emphasized the sanctity of the priest's office and his unceasing task of representing the children of Israel before a holy God. This divine standard contrasted sharply with the often chaotic and humanly devised religious practices prevalent in the ancient Near East, affirming YHWH's sovereign authority and unique requirements for approaching Him.
Exodus 28 27 Word analysis
- And thou shalt make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - vĕ'asita): A direct, imperative command from God, highlighting the mandatory and precise nature of the instruction. This verb underscores that the item must be created with skilled craftsmanship according to the divine pattern.
- two rings (שְׁתֵּי טַבְּעוֹת - shtei tav'ot): The number "two" often denotes symmetry, balance, or confirmation in biblical thought. "Rings" (ṭabbāʿat) universally function as connectors or means of attachment. Here, they serve as anchoring points.
- of gold (זָהָב - zahav): Gold, a noble, unblemished, and highly valued metal, frequently symbolizes divine glory, holiness, purity, and permanence in Scripture. Its exclusive use here indicates the sacredness and enduring significance of the High Priestly garments.
- and put them on (וְנָתַתָּ - vĕnatata): This verb signifies deliberate and precise placement. It underscores that the rings are not merely attached but carefully positioned in their ordained place according to God's blueprint.
- the two ends (שְׁנֵי קְצוֹת - sh'nei k'tzot): Refers to the extremities or corners. The use of "two" (dual form) reinforces the concept of symmetrical placement for stability and balance.
- of the breastplate (הַחֹשֶׁן - hachoshen): Specifically designates the "breastplate of judgment," the pivotal part of the High Priest's attire that bore the tribes' names and facilitated divine counsel. The rings' purpose is tied directly to this sacred object's function.
- at the bottom thereof (בִּקְצוֹתָיו מִלְּמָטָּה - bik'tzotav mil'maṭtah): This phrase unequivocally indicates the lower edges of the breastplate, distinguishing these rings from those at the top. This precise localization ensures the breastplate is anchored securely at all four corners, preventing any free movement.
- "two rings of gold": This combination emphasizes a divinely mandated, precise, precious, and functional component crucial for the breastplate's integrity and purpose.
- "on the two ends...at the bottom thereof": This collective phrasing pinpoints the exact, symmetrical location for stability, highlighting God's meticulousness in ensuring proper sacred decorum and functionality. This precision speaks to the absolute importance of upholding the divine pattern.
Exodus 28 27 Bonus section
The careful "engineering" of the High Priestly garments, exemplified by Exodus 28:27, underlines a recurring biblical theme: the necessity of adhering precisely to divine instructions when dealing with sacred things or approaching God. Unlike human designs, which may be adjusted for convenience or aesthetics, God's blueprint carried specific spiritual and symbolic weight. The integration of the rings ensured the breastplate was "judgment of the sons of Israel," not an unstable decoration. The inclusion of these minute details also highlights the concept of divine wisdom embedded in every aspect of the Tabernacle and its rituals; nothing was superfluous. This level of specification would have required immense discipline and faith from the artisans and the high priest, cultivating reverence for YHWH and setting apart His people and their worship as unique among nations.
Exodus 28 27 Commentary
Exodus 28:27 may seem like a minor detail, but it speaks volumes about the nature of God and the worship He ordained. The command for two gold rings at the bottom of the breastplate ensured this sacred vestment was not merely hung but securely fastened to the ephod. This prevented any unseemly movement or swinging during the high priest's service. Symbolically, this fixed position underscored the constant, unmoving responsibility of the High Priest to represent Israel before God, continuously bearing their names and judgments upon his heart. The meticulous detail—from the precious gold to the exact placement—communicated divine order, holiness, and the necessity of complete obedience in worship. Every element contributed to a functional whole, illustrating God's demand for perfection in His service and establishing the sanctity of approaching His presence. This rigid structure prefigures Christ, our perfect High Priest, whose mediation is unshakeable and eternal, permanently bearing us before God without fault or waiver.