Exodus 39 21

Exodus 39:21 kjv

And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:21 nkjv

And they bound the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it would be above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate would not come loose from the ephod, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:21 niv

They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod?as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:21 esv

And they bound the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it should lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece should not come loose from the ephod, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:21 nlt

They attached the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the decorative sash. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 21 Meaning

Exodus 39:21 describes the specific, divinely commanded method for attaching the breastpiece to the ephod of the High Priest. This meticulous instruction ensured that the breastpiece, symbolizing the tribes of Israel, remained securely and permanently fixed in place upon the high priestly garment, reflecting the constant and stable representation of God's people before Him, precisely as the LORD had instructed Moses.

Exodus 39 21 Context

Exodus 39 forms part of the detailed narrative describing the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its associated priestly garments, following the precise blueprints given by God to Moses earlier in chapters 25-31. This chapter underscores the faithful and meticulous execution of God's commands by the craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab, and all those assisting. Specifically, verse 21 belongs to the section detailing the creation of the high priestly garments (verses 1-31), highlighting the intricate and precise connection of the breastpiece (symbolizing Israel) to the ephod (representing the High Priest's office). Historically, this entire undertaking occurs in the wilderness after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, signifying the establishment of a tangible means for God to dwell among His chosen people and for His people to approach Him through an appointed priesthood, adhering strictly to His revealed patterns.

Exodus 39 21 Word analysis

• And they tied: This refers to the skilled craftsmen, primarily Bezalel and Oholiab, and their assistants. It signifies active, precise work according to divine instructions, emphasizing the human agency's obedience to God's detailed plan.
• the breastpiece (חֹשֶׁן - choshen): Known as the "breastpiece of judgment" (Exod 28:15). This sacred garment was central to the High Priest's attire, embedded with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Exod 28:17-21). It symbolized the High Priest carrying the identity and burdens of all Israel into God's presence, serving as a point of divine judgment and guidance.
• by its rings: Specific, expertly crafted gold rings, indicating a deliberate design feature for connectivity and secure fastening. This highlights the planned and functional integration of the components.
• to the rings of the ephod: The ephod (אֵפוֹד - ephod) was a magnificent, apron-like vest, woven from gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen (Exod 28:6-8). It formed the primary outer garment of the High Priest and was foundational to his office. The rings ensured the breastpiece was directly attached to this essential garment.
• with a blue cord (פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת - pəthîl tĕkēleṯ):
  • blue (tekhelet): This specific shade of blue (from a mollusk dye) was highly valued in antiquity. In biblical symbolism, it frequently represented the heavens, divine glory, God's majesty, and spiritual revelation, connecting the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly realm.
  • cord (pəthîl): Implies a strong, braided thread or string, emphasizing the robustness and reliability of the connection.
• so that it might be on the ephod: This phrase expresses the direct purpose and consequence of the tying—to ensure the breastpiece was positioned correctly and consistently on the ephod, demonstrating its integral role and function.
• and that the breastpiece should not come loose (לֹא יִזַּח - lo yizzach) from the ephod:
  • not come loose (lo yizzach): The verb yizzach (from נָזַח - nazach) means to "detach," "slip away," or "move from its place." This emphatic statement underscores the absolute requirement for the breastpiece's stability and permanence. It highlights the divine intent that Israel's representation before God through the High Priest must be constant and unwavering. Any detachment would compromise the integrity of the intercession and the efficacy of the Urim and Thummim.
• as the LORD had commanded Moses: This frequently repeated phrase (found over 19 times in Exodus 39 alone) serves as a seal of divine authenticity and oversight for every detail of the Tabernacle's construction and priestly garments. It confirms that the entire process, including the minute detail of attaching the breastpiece, was not based on human ingenuity but on direct, authoritative divine instruction, and executed faithfully by Moses and the craftsmen.

Words-group analysis:

• "And they tied the breastpiece... to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord... and that the breastpiece should not come loose from the ephod": This entire sequence of actions details the extreme precision and stability required. The secure attachment symbolizes the fixed and enduring nature of the High Priest's intercessory role and the constant, unchanging bearing of Israel's presence before God. It illustrates the stability of the divine-human covenant and the reliability of God's provisions for His people to draw near.
• "the breastpiece... and the ephod": These two garments, joined intimately, represent the unified office of the High Priest. The breastpiece, carrying the very identity of the tribes and functioning as a means of divine guidance (Urim and Thummim), derived its essential stability and validity from its firm connection to the ephod, which was the foundational vestment of the priestly office. This highlights the complete and integral nature of the priestly representation.
• "as the LORD had commanded Moses": This concluding phrase reinforces the divine authority behind every intricate detail of the sacred objects and rituals. It validates Moses's faithful mediation and underscores that the worship system was a perfect reflection of God's own holiness, order, and precise will, serving as a model for all obedience to divine revelation.

Exodus 39 21 Bonus section

• The extreme attention to detail in Exodus 39 reflects God's own nature of order, perfection, and holiness, contrasting with any human tendency towards improvisation in matters of worship. Every component and its attachment method was purposeful.
• The secured breastpiece ensured the stability of the Urim and Thummim, which were housed within it (Exod 28:30). This implies that divine guidance and judgment, which the high priest would seek, were consistently accessible and reliable through the ordained channels.
• The blue cord, tekhelet, connected the earthly priestly functions directly to a heavenly source, signifying that the Tabernacle was a copy and shadow of heavenly things (Heb 8:5) and that the priesthood operated under divine authority and purity.
• The repeated confirmation of obedience, "as the LORD had commanded Moses," highlights Moses's faithfulness and positions him as a prototype for faithful servants who execute God's instructions meticulously, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the most faithful Son (Heb 3:5-6).

Exodus 39 21 Commentary

Exodus 39:21 unveils a seemingly minor but deeply significant detail in the construction of the High Priest's vestments. The verse is not merely an engineering specification; it embodies divine precision, functional stability, and sacred obedience. The breastpiece, bearing the names of Israel's tribes, was intrinsically linked to the ephod, the garment signifying the priestly office. This unbreakable connection, secured by a heavenly blue cord, ensured the high priest continuously carried Israel's identity and interceded on their behalf without any detachment or compromise. The repetitive emphasis, "as the LORD had commanded Moses," elevates every stitch and knot from a mere act of craftsmanship to a sacred act of perfect submission to God's will. This foretells the perfect, unending intercession of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly bears His people before the Father, ensuring their secure and permanent standing in God's presence, unlike the temporary earthly shadows.