Exodus 39:7 kjv
And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:7 nkjv
He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:7 niv
Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:7 esv
And he set them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod to be stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:7 nlt
He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 28:12 | "And you shall put these two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel, so that Aaron may bear their names before the Lord..." | Original instruction for the onyx stones. |
| Ex 39:6 | "They also made the onyx stones, set in settings of gold filigree, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel." | Direct parallel, preparation of the stones. |
| Ex 28:29-30 | "So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastpiece of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a continual memorial before the LORD." | Names also on the breastpiece for remembrance by heart. |
| Ex 29:38-46 | Instructions for daily sacrifice and perpetual covenant. | Covenant with Israel before God. |
| Lev 16:11-14 | Aaron performing atonement "before the LORD". | Priestly service in God's presence. |
| Num 10:10 | "Also on your days of rejoicing, at your appointed feasts...you shall blow the trumpets...They shall be for you a memorial before your God." | Trumpets as a memorial. |
| Josh 4:7 | "These stones shall be a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." | Stones as memorial (Jordan crossing). |
| 1 Sam 7:12 | "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.'" | Memorial of God's help. |
| Isa 49:15-16 | "Can a woman forget her nursing child...? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." | God's unfailing remembrance of His people. |
| Ezek 9:4 | God putting a mark on those who mourn in Jerusalem. | Divine remembrance for protection. |
| Heb 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." | Christ as the Great High Priest. |
| Heb 7:24-25 | "But He, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives..." | Christ's perpetual intercession. |
| Heb 8:1-2 | "Now the main point...is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary..." | Christ as our high priest in heavenly tabernacle. |
| Heb 9:24 | "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands...but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." | Christ representing us before God. |
| Rom 8:34 | "who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us." | Christ's constant intercession for believers. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity of believers represented in Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." | Believers as a new spiritual Israel/priesthood. |
| Rev 21:12-14 | "It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel." | Tribes remembered on New Jerusalem gates. |
| John 17:9, 20 | "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me...I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me..." | Jesus' intercessory prayer for His people. |
| Col 1:17 | "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." | Christ upholding and sustaining all. |
| 1 John 2:1 | "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." | Christ as our Advocate (representative). |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 7 Meaning
Exodus 39:7 details the final placement of the two onyx stones, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, upon the shoulder pieces of the high priest's ephod. This act established them as a constant "memorial" or "remembrance" before the Lord concerning the sons of Israel. It signified that the high priest, bearing the responsibility and identity of the entire nation on his shoulders, perpetually represented them in the divine presence, ensuring God's enduring remembrance of His covenant people.
Exodus 39 7 Context
Exodus chapter 39 is part of the extensive description of the construction of the Tabernacle and its associated articles, including the priestly garments. This chapter specifically recounts the faithful execution of the divine instructions given in Exodus chapter 28, detailing the making of Aaron's sacred vestments: the ephod, the breastpiece, the robe, tunics, turban, and sashes. The repetitive phrase "just as the LORD had commanded Moses" permeates the chapter (Ex 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43), underscoring the perfect obedience and precision in constructing items critical for worshipping God according to His prescribed way. Verse 7 specifically concerns the final placement of the engraved onyx stones, a central component of the ephod, demonstrating the meticulous completion of a vital aspect of the high priest's role as the intercessor and representative of Israel before the Holy God in the movable sanctuary. Historically, this highlighted Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh amidst surrounding nations, whose religious practices lacked such precise divine revelation and ongoing representational intercession.
Exodus 39 7 Word analysis
And he put them: This refers to Moses, or Bezaleel and Oholiab under his supervision (Ex 36:1, 2), placing the stones onto the ephod. It emphasizes the completion of a specific instruction and the obedient execution of the divine blueprint.
upon the shoulders: Hebrew: ketef (כָּתֵף). The shoulder signifies strength, support, responsibility, and burden-bearing. By placing the names of Israel on the high priest's shoulders, it represented the priest bearing the nation before God. This is distinct from the breastpiece "over the heart," which signifies affection, wisdom, and judgment, also continually bearing the names of Israel (Ex 28:29-30). Both locations combined speak of full representation—through strength and affection.
of the ephod: Hebrew: ephod (אֵפוֹד). A sleeveless garment, worn by the high priest, essential for his ministry. It was a complex and beautifully crafted piece, adorned with gold, blue, purple, scarlet material, and fine twisted linen (Ex 39:2-3). It signified the high priest's office and his mediating role between God and Israel.
as the LORD had commanded Moses: This refrain, recurring throughout Exodus 39, is central. It emphasizes the perfect, unwavering obedience to God's exact specifications. This was not human ingenuity or artistic preference, but divine instruction faithfully executed, ensuring the tabernacle and its rituals were wholly acceptable to God. This reinforced God's sovereignty and authority over worship.
for a memorial: Hebrew: zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן). More than a simple recollection, zikaron often implies an active bringing to mind, an invocation, or a reminder that prompts action or presence, particularly when used in relation to God. Here, the stones actively represent the people before God, reminding Him (anthropomorphically) of His covenant relationship with Israel. It indicates divine attentiveness and continuous advocacy for His people.
to the sons of Israel: Hebrew: b'nei Yisra'el (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). Refers to all the twelve tribes, the entire covenant nation of Israel. This underscored that the high priest represented every single tribe and every individual member before God. This was a communal representation, reflecting God's election and care for His chosen people.
before the LORD: Hebrew: lipnei YHWH (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה). Meaning "in the presence of Yahweh" or "in the face of Yahweh." This phrase emphasizes that the priestly ministry was performed directly in God's sight, in the Holy Place, and figuratively in God's divine presence itself. The names engraved on the stones were continually visible to God, affirming His perpetual attention to and remembrance of His people. This active presence highlights the sanctity and gravity of the high priest's role as the mediator.
Words-group Analysis:
- "upon the shoulders of the ephod": This phrase clearly indicates the location, which holds significant symbolic weight. The shoulders represent strength, responsibility, and the capacity to bear a burden. This is fitting as the high priest bore the "burden" and representation of the entire nation before God, akin to carrying a heavy load for their well-being.
- "for a memorial to the sons of Israel before the LORD": This is the core purpose of the engraved stones. It describes an active and ongoing "remembrance" (zikaron) of Israel directly "in the presence" (lipnei) of God (YHWH). It’s not about God needing to be reminded, but rather demonstrating His perpetual awareness and attention to His covenant people, facilitated through their priestly representative. It symbolizes a continual state of divine mindfulness and advocacy for the nation.
Exodus 39 7 Bonus section
The deliberate repetition of "just as the LORD had commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39 is more than a factual report of obedience; it underscores a profound theological truth about divine order and human submission. In ancient Near Eastern religions, temple building and cultic practices often involved human innovation or adaptation from other cultures. Here, Israel's worship was unique in being solely and strictly prescribed by God Himself. This total adherence served as an indirect polemic against pagan practices, emphasizing that true worship comes from divine revelation, not human devising, ensuring the purity and effectiveness of the priestly service and the Tabernacle as the meeting place between God and His people. Furthermore, the precious stones (onyx, a stone often associated with kingship and authority) set in gold on the priest's shoulder elevate the dignity and worth of each Israelite, indicating they were precious in God's sight, worthy of such magnificent representation.
Exodus 39 7 Commentary
Exodus 39:7 marks the obedient culmination of the detailed instructions for the high priest's ephod, specifically the placement of the onyx stones. This act carried profound theological significance: the high priest, bearing the engraved names of all twelve tribes of Israel upon his shoulders and heart (Ex 28:29-30), symbolically carried the entire nation into God's immediate presence. The "memorial before the Lord" signifies not that an omniscient God forgets His people and needs prompting, but rather an active and constant declaration of their covenant status and divine favor. It visually demonstrated God's unending remembrance, care, and willingness to intercede for His people through the appointed mediator. This Old Testament high priestly office, its garments, and its functions—particularly bearing the names of Israel before God—beautifully prefigured Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate High Priest, who permanently represents believers before God (Heb 4:14-16), not needing repeated offerings but by His singular, perfect sacrifice (Heb 9:11-14, 24). He forever bears our names (figuratively our identities and needs) in the heavenly sanctuary, always interceding for us (Heb 7:25), assuring our constant access and remembrance in the presence of God.