Exodus 39 15

Exodus 39:15 kjv

And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathed work of pure gold.

Exodus 39:15 nkjv

And they made chains for the breastplate at the ends, like braided cords of pure gold.

Exodus 39:15 niv

For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.

Exodus 39:15 esv

And they made on the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold.

Exodus 39:15 nlt

To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold thread.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 15 Meaning

Exodus 39:15 describes the making of two chains from pure, twisted gold, specifically for attachment to the breastplate of the high priest. These chains served a crucial functional and symbolic purpose: to secure the breastplate to the ephod, ensuring that it remained firmly in place during the high priest's service before the Lord. The precise specifications of material and form underscore the divine demand for holiness, perfection, and ordered design in all aspects of Tabernacle worship and priestly service.

Exodus 39 15 Context

Exodus 39:15 is situated within the extensive section detailing the construction of the Tabernacle and its associated sacred furnishings and priestly garments. This chapter records the faithful execution of all the specific instructions given by the Lord to Moses on Mount Sinai.The verse's immediate context concerns the final construction of the breastplate of judgment, one of the high priest's most significant garments. The chains specified here were integral to the breastplate's functionality, ensuring its proper and secure positioning on the ephod worn by the high priest.The chapter's context (Exodus 39) highlights the meticulous craftsmanship of Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled artisans, who fashioned all the components of the Tabernacle and the priestly attire "as the LORD commanded Moses"—a phrase repeated multiple times (Ex 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43). This pervasive theme underscores the paramount importance of strict obedience to divine revelation in matters of worship and service.From a historical and cultural perspective, the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its priesthood set Israel's worship apart from the surrounding pagan cultures. While other nations might create gods with human hands and devise their own forms of worship, the God of Israel provided precise, divine blueprints. This specificity was a powerful polemic against arbitrary, man-made religious systems, emphasizing that true worship is not invented but revealed. The emphasis on pure materials like gold, and intricate, skilled workmanship, indicated the sacredness and value of the divine presence and the mediating role of the priesthood, contrasting sharply with the often crude or self-aggrandizing religious practices of their neighbors.

Exodus 39 15 Word analysis

• They made: Refers to the skilled artisans, Bezalel, Oholiab, and their helpers (Ex 36:1, 37:1), demonstrating human obedience and craftsmanship working under divine inspiration and precise instruction.
• two chains: (Hebrew: שַׁרְשֹׁרֹת, sharshorot) Plural, indicating the necessary dual attachments for stability. The term implies an interconnected or woven pattern. These were not solid bars but flexible links.
• of pure gold: (Hebrew: זָהָב טָהוֹר, zahav tahor) Gold that is unalloyed, without impurities, signifying ultimate quality, value, purity, holiness, and incorruptibility. This recurring description for Tabernacle elements emphasizes the sacred and set-apart nature of all things pertaining to God's dwelling and service.
• twisted like cords: (Hebrew: גַּבְלֻת כְּתָאשִׁים, gavlut ketha'ashim) Describes the method of formation. Gavlut suggests twisted or plaited work. Ketha'ashim often implies a rope-like or interwoven appearance, emphasizing strength and intricate workmanship. This was not a simple chain but one meticulously crafted to resemble strong, secure cords, highlighting the detailed artistry commanded by God.
• on the breastplate: (Hebrew: עַל־הַחֹשֶׁן, 'al-hachoshen) The "breastplate of judgment," a pivotal priestly garment on which the names of the twelve tribes were inscribed and which contained the Urim and Thummim for discerning God's will. Its proper securement was paramount.
• for the ends: (Hebrew: בִּקְצֹוֹת, biktsot) Literally "at its extremities" or "at its edges." Specifies the attachment points, likely the top corners of the breastplate.
• of the settings: (Hebrew: הַמִּסְבְּצֹת, hammisbatzot) Refers to the intricate golden frames or bezels holding the gemstones on the breastplate (Ex 28:20). The chains were affixed to rings (Ex 39:16) that were integrated into or attached to these settings, completing the design and functionality. The word misbatzot itself suggests a latticework or framework.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They made two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords": This phrase combines the material, quantity, and specific craftsmanship method. It highlights the divine requirement for preciousness and durability, emphasizing that the form was as divinely mandated as the material. The twisting makes the chains stronger and more ornate, befitting a holy purpose and resisting wear from priestly movement. It points to strength and beauty united in service.
• "on the breastplate, for the ends of the settings": This precisely locates the chains' function. They were not merely ornamental but had a critical role in securing the breastplate. This ensures that the high priest, carrying the names of Israel, performed his duties without impediment, and that the garment's symbolic efficacy remained constant and uncompromised through secure attachment. This detail speaks to the functional integrity required for sacred service.

Exodus 39 15 Bonus section

• The elaborate fastening system involving these gold chains, connecting rings (Ex 39:16) and a blue cord (Ex 39:21) to the ephod's shoulder pieces, showcases the sophisticated design ensuring the breastplate would not become dislodged. This guaranteed the continuity of Israel's representation before the Lord during the priest's duties.
• The meticulous detailing, down to the method of twisting gold, serves as a divine counter-narrative to self-devised worship or arbitrary human inventions. It highlights that legitimate worship is solely God-initiated and God-defined.
• The constant reiteration of "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39 transforms the descriptive account into a powerful narrative of faithful execution, validating the sanctity and divine authority behind every stitch and gold chain.

Exodus 39 15 Commentary

Exodus 39:15 illustrates God's exacting demand for detail and perfection in Tabernacle construction and the priestly vestments. The specified pure, twisted gold chains for the breastplate serve as a testament to the divine instruction that nothing in God's service should be shoddy or improvised. Pure gold speaks of God's perfect and unblemished nature, while the "twisted like cords" design signifies strength, unity, and an intricate, beautiful design worthy of His presence. These chains were vital for securing the breastplate, the very garment bearing the names of Israel's tribes and functioning as a means of divine communication (Urim and Thummim). This security symbolizes the steadfast connection between God and His people, mediated through the high priest. Every component, no matter how small, contributed to the overall theological and practical efficacy of the high priest's role in drawing near to God. This detailed attention points forward to the absolute perfection of Christ, our great High Priest, whose once-for-all sacrifice provides eternal and perfectly secure access to the Father. We, as believers, are called to serve God with excellence and faithfulness in every detail, reflecting His precise nature in our worship and obedience.