Exodus 39 12

Exodus 39:12 kjv

And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

Exodus 39:12 nkjv

the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

Exodus 39:12 niv

the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst;

Exodus 39:12 esv

and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

Exodus 39:12 nlt

The third row contained an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 12 Meaning

This verse specifies three of the twelve precious stones fixed in the third row of the High Priest's breastplate, including a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. This detail underscores God's meticulous instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, particularly the priestly garments. The stones symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel, representing their presence before God through the mediation of the High Priest.

Exodus 39 12 Context

Exodus chapter 39 is dedicated to describing the skilled craftsmen's execution of God's commands for building the Tabernacle and its associated items, including the sacred priestly garments. It mirrors the detailed instructions given in earlier chapters, primarily Exodus 28. Verse 12 is part of the account of making the breastplate, which was the final piece of the High Priest's special attire. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, elaborate priestly attire often indicated status and religious authority. However, Israel's High Priest's garments were distinct, being explicitly designed and commanded by God Himself, not devised by human imagination. Each element, including these specific stones, was designed to represent a unique aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God and the High Priest's role as mediator, carrying the identity of all twelve tribes into God's presence.

Exodus 39 12 Word analysis

• "and the third row":

  • Significance: Highlights the methodical and precise execution of God's blueprint for the breastplate. The breastplate was rectangular, requiring specific placement of stones in four rows, each containing three. This demonstrates God's demand for order and meticulous adherence to His commands in sacred worship.

• "a ligure":

  • Hebrew: leshem (לֶשֶׁם).
  • Identification: Its exact modern equivalent is debated, with possibilities including jacinth (a type of zircon), opal, amber, or some form of chalcedony, typically noted for reddish-yellow, golden-brown, or fiery colors.
  • Significance: One of twelve unique stones representing a tribe of Israel. Though not explicitly stated in Scripture, tradition associates this stone with the tribe of Dan or Levi. Its inclusion reflects the individual distinctiveness and value of each tribe to God.

• "an agate":

  • Hebrew: shěḇō (שְׁבֹו).
  • Identification: Consistently identified as agate, a type of microcrystalline quartz characterized by its distinctive bands or layers of various colors (often shades of brown, red, yellow, and white).
  • Significance: Tradition generally links this stone with the tribe of Judah, from whom kings and ultimately the Messiah would descend. The varied beauty of the agate symbolizes the richness and diversity of God's people.

• "and an amethyst":

  • Hebrew: ʼachlāmāh (אַחְלָמָה).
  • Identification: Unanimously identified as amethyst, a prized purple or violet variety of quartz.
  • Significance: Commonly associated with the tribe of Issachar. Amethyst was highly valued in antiquity for its beauty and purported properties, sometimes believed to guard against intoxication or impart wisdom. Its regal purple hue speaks to the dignity and holiness of the priesthood and the sacredness of God's covenant with His people.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst": This phrase emphasizes the precise nature of the divinely inspired construction. The specific naming of these three stones in sequence highlights the careful fulfillment of God's exact commands for the priestly breastplate. This piece of attire was fundamental to the High Priest's role, ensuring that he bore the names and identity of the entire nation before the presence of God during acts of worship and intercession. The distinct nature and beauty of each stone underscored the unique yet unified identity of God's covenant people.

Exodus 39 12 Bonus section

The precise mineralogical identification of some ancient biblical stones, including the leshem (ligure), can be challenging due to linguistic evolution and differing interpretations in ancient translations (e.g., the Septuagint's variants). While many traditions link specific tribes to specific stones on the breastplate, the biblical text itself does not explicitly list these associations; they are derived from later Jewish and Christian commentaries. Regardless of these variations, the primary theological message remains clear: the twelve precious, distinct stones represented the unity and individual importance of God's chosen tribes, always brought before Him by their appointed mediator, illustrating God's constant remembrance and care for His people.

Exodus 39 12 Commentary

Exodus 39:12 details the final construction of the priestly breastplate, an item of paramount significance. The inclusion of specific precious stones like the ligure, agate, and amethyst was not merely for aesthetic appeal but served a profound theological purpose. Each of the twelve stones was engraved with the name of one of Israel's tribes, symbolizing that the High Priest, as the intercessor, carried the entire nation—each individual tribe with its unique identity—before the Lord's presence (Ex 28:29-30). This divine instruction highlights God's particular attention to every segment of His people, affirming His desire for them to be continually remembered and represented in His sanctuary. The meticulous adherence to God's precise blueprint for these sacred items underscores the necessity of obedience in worship and service to Him. This act of bearing the tribes before God finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who continuously intercedes for us before the Father, ensuring our perpetual access and remembrance in God's presence (Heb 7:25).