Exodus 39:13 kjv
And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Exodus 39:13 nkjv
the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold in their mountings.
Exodus 39:13 niv
the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings.
Exodus 39:13 esv
and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold filigree.
Exodus 39:13 nlt
The fourth row contained a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones were set in gold filigree.
Exodus 39 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:19 | "And the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;" | Parallel description of the same stones. |
| Exod 28:17-20 | "You shall mount in it four rows of stones: ... the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;" | Full context of the breastpiece stones. |
| Exod 28:21 | "There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel..." | Each stone represented one tribe of Israel. |
| Exod 28:12 | "...you shall bear their names before the Lord on your two shoulders for a memorial." | Tribes memorialized on shoulder stones too. |
| Exod 28:29-30 | "So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel... upon his heart when he goes into the Holy Place..." | High Priest bearing Israel's names before God. |
| Exod 39:6-7 | "And they made the onyx stones... for a memorial for the sons of Israel." | Confirmation of memorial purpose for shoulder stones. |
| Exod 39:8 | "And he made the breastpiece, a skillfully woven work, like the work of the ephod..." | The craftsmanship of the breastpiece. |
| Lev 8:7-9 | "And he put the tunic on him... then he put the breastpiece on him..." | Moses vesting Aaron with the high priestly garments. |
| Num 27:21 | "...he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord." | Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece for divine counsel. |
| 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 precious jewels. |
| Zech 9:16 | "The Lord their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for like jewels of a crown..." | God's people compared to crown jewels. |
| Isa 49:16 | "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" | God's constant remembrance of His people. |
| Rev 21:19-20 | "The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel... the tenth a chrysoprase, the eleventh a jacinth, the twelfth an amethyst." | Stones as foundations of New Jerusalem; parallels in types of stones. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God..." | Christ as our ultimate High Priest. |
| Heb 7:24-25 | "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 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's eternal, unchangeable intercession. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... he entered once for all into the holy places..." | Christ's singular, effective entry into heavenly sanctuary. |
| Rom 8:34 | "...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. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | Believers' identity as spiritual priests. |
| Eph 2:20 | "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone" | Believers as a spiritual building, echoing foundational stones. |
| Exod 25:8-9 | "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle..." | Emphasis on precise divine instruction for all holy items. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-27 | "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." | Diversity within unity, paralleling the different tribes/stones. |
| Song 5:14 | "His hands are cylinders of gold set with beryl; his body is ivory work encrusted with sapphires." | Symbolic use of precious stones to describe beauty. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 13 Meaning
Exodus 39:13 describes the third row of precious stones on the High Priest's breastpiece (the breastpiece of judgment). This row featured three distinct stones: a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, their names being engraved upon them, serving as a constant memorial before the Lord.
Exodus 39 13 Context
Exodus 39 details the construction of the Tabernacle's priestly garments, following the precise divine instructions given earlier in Exodus chapters 25-31 and recounted in chapter 39. This specific verse, Exodus 39:13, focuses on the "breastpiece of judgment" (or breastplate), an essential component of the High Priest's regalia. The breastpiece was attached to the ephod and worn over the High Priest's heart whenever he entered the sanctuary. Its twelve engraved precious stones, arranged in four rows, visually and symbolically represented the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord. Historically, while precious stones were valued across the Ancient Near East for their beauty, wealth, and sometimes mythical powers, in the biblical context, their significance is solely derived from their God-ordained purpose: to serve as a perpetual memorial for Israel before the Lord. The meticulous detail in God's commands underscores the holiness of His presence and the exactitude required in approaching Him, distinguishing biblical worship from surrounding pagan practices.
Exodus 39 13 Word analysis
And the third row:
וְהַטּוּר֙(vehattur): "And the row."וְ(ve-) is "and," connecting this to the preceding description of the breastpiece.הַטּוּר(hattur) means "the row," specifically indicating a line or series. This highlights the orderly and deliberate arrangement of the stones on the breastpiece.הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י(hashlishi): "the third." This denotes a precise ordinal position, confirming the verse is detailing the stones for the third of four rows, emphasizing the systematic nature of God's design for the high priestly garment.
a jacinth:
לֶ֖שֶׁם(leshem): This Hebrew term is debated among scholars regarding its exact modern identification, often translated as jacinth, hyacinth, or less commonly, opal or lapis lazuli. The precise color and nature remain somewhat fluid in translation, but it represents a valuable, distinct gemstone. It's the first of the three stones in this row, corresponding to one of the tribes of Israel.
an agate:
וּשְׁבוֹ(ushvo): "and an agate."וּ(u-) means "and," linking this stone.שְׁבוֹ(shvo) is generally accepted to mean "agate." Agate is a translucent, often variegated or banded form of chalcedony. Its varied patterns might subtly symbolize the diverse character within the united tribes of Israel. It occupies the second position in this row.
and an amethyst:
וְאַחְלָ֑מָה(ve'achlamah): "and an amethyst."וְ(ve-) again is "and."אַחְלָמָה(achlamah) is widely identified as amethyst, a purple variety of quartz. Its purple color was often associated with royalty and divinity in the ancient world, potentially pointing to Israel's royal priesthood or their sacred status as God's chosen nation. It completes the three stones for the third row.
Words-group analysis (a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst):
- These three specific gemstones, when combined with the other nine on the breastpiece, represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Each stone, being distinct and beautiful, emphasizes the individuality and preciousness of each tribe in God's eyes.
- Their placement "on the heart" of the High Priest signifies his role as intercessor, perpetually bearing the people's names and concerns before God. This action serves as a memorial, ensuring Israel is continually remembered by God through the priest's service.
- The use of varied and precious materials highlights the divine value placed on God's people and the holiness associated with His Tabernacle and its service. The deliberate arrangement of these different stones within an overarching pattern symbolizes unity amidst diversity within the covenant community.
Exodus 39 13 Bonus section
The specific choice of these precious stones for the breastpiece speaks to the exquisite nature of God's dwelling place and the garments of His appointed priest. While ancient cultures might have ascribed mystical properties to specific gems, the Bible grounds their significance solely in their God-ordained purpose: to serve as a memorial for the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord (Exod 28:12, 29). Their beauty and preciousness reflect the value God places on His covenant people. Furthermore, the selection and skillful craftsmanship of these garments, particularly the setting of the stones, underscore that all aspects of Tabernacle service were to be conducted with excellence and divine wisdom, as God himself gave the artisans wisdom and understanding (Exod 31:3). This stands in stark contrast to New Age or mystical beliefs which often seek inherent power from crystals themselves; in the Bible, the power is always from God, channeled through His commands and divinely-appointed purposes for His people.
Exodus 39 13 Commentary
Exodus 39:13 concisely lists three more of the twelve significant gemstones comprising the high priest's breastpiece. These were not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, signifying the Israelite tribes perpetually held before God's sight through their representative, the High Priest. The precision in God's instructions for these materials underscores the divine order and holiness in Tabernacle worship. The beautiful, precious, and diverse stones on the High Priest's heart demonstrated the value and constant remembrance God had for His people, each tribe distinctly honored, yet unified in their representation. This tangible bearing of Israel's names by the High Priest beautifully foreshadows the greater, perfect intercession of Jesus Christ, our heavenly High Priest, who continually intercedes for His redeemed people, bearing them not just on a breastpiece but upon His very heart.