Exodus 28:7 kjv
It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
Exodus 28:7 nkjv
It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together.
Exodus 28:7 niv
It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
Exodus 28:7 esv
It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together.
Exodus 28:7 nlt
It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.
Exodus 28 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 28:1-2 | "You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother... these are the garments: a breastpiece, an ephod..." | Priestly garments commanded. |
| Ex 28:9-12 | "You shall take two onyx stones... and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel... place them on the ephod shoulders." | Shoulders bear names of Israel. |
| Ex 28:15 | "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment... according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it." | Breastpiece integrated with ephod's design. |
| Ex 28:22-25 | Describes chains of pure gold connecting the breastpiece to the ephod's shoulder pieces. | Elaborate connection of garments. |
| Lev 8:7 | "Moses put the tunic on him... the ephod on him... and he bound him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod." | Ritual vesting, emphasis on binding/joining. |
| Isa 9:6 | "For to us a child is born... and the government shall be upon his shoulder..." | Prophetic bearing of authority by Messiah. |
| Lk 15:5 | "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." | Jesus as the good Shepherd bearing His sheep. |
| Mt 11:29-30 | "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me... for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." | Bearing of burdens, true rest in Christ. |
| Rom 15:1 | "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves." | Believers bearing one another's burdens. |
| Gal 6:2 | "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | Community responsibility in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-27 | Describes the body of Christ having many parts but being one, emphasizing interdependent connection. | Unity and integrated function of the body. |
| Col 2:19 | "...from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God." | Body of Christ interconnected. |
| Eph 4:1-3 | "I therefore... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling... endeavoring to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." | Unity of Spirit, bonds of peace. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God..." | Jesus as our High Priest, who empathizes. |
| Heb 7:24-25 | "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever... He is able to save completely." | Christ's permanent and unchangeable priesthood. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... he entered once for all into the holy places..." | Christ's ultimate priestly work. |
| Ex 29:7 | "Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him." | Consecration for holy office. |
| Lev 16:4 | Describes Aaron wearing holy linen garments for atonement day, emphasizing simple purity in worship. | Appropriate attire for holy functions. |
| Isa 22:22 | "And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut..." | Bearing authority and responsibility. |
| 2 Cor 13:11 | "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace..." | Encouragement for unity and coherence. |
| Judg 8:27 | Describes Gideon making an ephod from gold, which became a snare, contrasting holy use with misuse. | Misuse and idolatry related to ephod. |
| 1 Sam 2:28 | God tells Eli's family "chosen from all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me." | Wearing the ephod as part of priestly duties. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 7 Meaning
Exodus 28:7 details a specific structural requirement for the ephod, a sacred priestly garment. It describes how the two "shoulder pieces" of the ephod were to be meticulously attached at their extremities, ensuring a stable and integrated garment. This secure joining was crucial for the ephod's function, particularly in supporting the breastpiece which carried the names of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the high priest bearing the people before God. The emphasis on the careful connection underscores the divine order, unity, and precise construction required for holy service.
Exodus 28 7 Context
Exodus chapter 28 initiates the detailed instructions for making the holy garments for Aaron and his sons, designed for their consecrated service as priests in the Tabernacle. This divine mandate followed the construction of the Tabernacle itself (chapters 25-27), ensuring that not only the sacred dwelling but also the attire of its ministering priests were set apart and precisely formed according to God's specifications. Verse 7 specifically addresses the structural integrity of the ephod, the outermost garment worn by the high priest, upon which the breastpiece containing the twelve tribes' names and the Urim and Thummim (instruments for divine guidance) would rest. Historically, precise adherence to these divine commands was crucial for ensuring acceptance of worship and maintaining ritual purity within ancient Israelite culture, distinguishing Yahweh's worship from the practices of surrounding nations where idols and human-devised rituals often prevailed. This chapter's instructions reflect God's demand for order, beauty, and functional significance in all aspects of His worship.
Exodus 28 7 Word analysis
- It shall have (Hebrew: וְהָיָה לּוֹ, v'hayah lō): Implies a directive, a command for what must exist as part of its construction. This is not optional but divinely ordained.
- two shoulder pieces (Hebrew: שְׁתֵּי כְתֵפֹת, shtēi kh'thēfōth):
- Shtēi means "two," emphasizing distinct but complementary parts.
- Kethēfōth (plural of katheph) refers to "shoulders" or "shoulder-parts." The shoulder symbolizes strength, the bearing of burdens, authority, and responsibility in biblical thought. For the high priest, these shoulder pieces bore the onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Ex 28:9-12), signifying the priest literally carrying the burdens and representation of God's people before Him. This pointed forward to Christ, who bears the sin and burdens of His people.
- joined (Hebrew: חֹבְרֹת, ḥōv'rōth): This word comes from the root חבר (ḥāvar), meaning "to unite," "to join together," "to league." It implies a secure and inseparable connection. It denotes a deliberate act of integration, not merely resting upon or loosely attached.
- at its two edges (Hebrew: מִשְּׁנֵי קְצוֹתָיו, mishnēi q'tsōthāw):
- Mishnēi: "from its two," emphasizing the origin point of connection.
- Q'tsōthāw (from qātzah): "edges" or "ends." This precision signifies that the joining points are specific and defined by God, ensuring the garment's proper form and stability, rather than haphazard attachment.
- and so it shall be joined together (Hebrew: יְחֻבָּר, y'ḥubbar): This verb is also from the root חבר (ḥāvar), but here it's in the pual stem, denoting a passive and intensified joining. It emphasizes the ultimate state of being "firmly joined" or "indissolubly connected." This repetition reinforces the crucial nature of the complete integration and stability of the shoulder pieces to the rest of the ephod, highlighting its structural integrity and ensuring it does not shift or separate during the priest's sacred duties. It is God's will for this to be a secure union.
Words-group Analysis:
- "two shoulder pieces joined": This phrase underlines the functional importance of the ephod. The shoulders, carrying the names of Israel, represent the burden and responsibility of the priest for the people. The "joining" indicates that this burden and representation were integral to his person and service, not something easily set aside.
- "joined at its two edges": This highlights the precision of divine instruction. The ephod was not to be a loosely constructed garment; every attachment point was specified, ensuring strength and stability. This signifies that divine service requires exactness and integrity, a stark contrast to human-contrived rituals.
- "and so it shall be joined together": This reiteration reinforces the critical nature of the complete integration. It stresses permanence and the secure unity necessary for carrying the significant load of the breastpiece and stones. It also prefigures the essential unity and unbreakable nature of the Body of Christ and the complete and perfect bearing of believers by our High Priest, Jesus.
Exodus 28 7 Bonus section
The careful engineering of the ephod described in this verse (and subsequent verses) foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. Just as the ephod was intricately connected and designed to bear the representation of God's people, Christ, through His unified person (divine and human natures perfectly joined) and His unified work, bears the totality of the Church. His carrying of our burdens is not merely symbolic; it is complete and unwavering, as emphasized by the repeated Hebrew root ḥāvar (to join). This perfect union of His Person and His Priesthood means His intercession on our behalf is continuous and wholly secure.
Exodus 28 7 Commentary
Exodus 28:7 is more than just an architectural detail for a garment; it carries profound theological weight concerning the high priesthood and, ultimately, Christ. The "two shoulder pieces" signify strength, support, and the bearing of burdens. Their careful "joining" (חֹבְרֹת, ḥōv'rōth, and יְחֻבָּר, y'ḥubbar) emphasizes integrity, unity, and unwavering stability. For the high priest, this structure allowed him to literally and symbolically bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord (Ex 28:9-12). This was not a temporary carrying but an intrinsic aspect of his mediatorial role, signifying God's desire for His people to be perpetually presented before Him, upheld by the priesthood. The precision "at its two edges" reflects God's meticulous nature and His demand for sacred objects to be perfectly ordered, preventing any defect that might compromise the holy service. This contrasts with any human tendency towards sloppiness or ritual innovation. This firm and integrated joining speaks to the seamless unity required for effective divine service and, in Christ, to the perfectly unified person and work of our Great High Priest, who bears us securely and permanently before the Father, never faltering. His priestly intercession and carrying of our burdens are whole, secure, and eternally effective, having entered once for all into the holiest place (Heb 9:12).