Exodus 39:9 kjv
It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
Exodus 39:9 nkjv
They made the breastplate square by doubling it; a span was its length and a span its width when doubled.
Exodus 39:9 niv
It was square?a span long and a span wide?and folded double.
Exodus 39:9 esv
It was square. They made the breastpiece doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth when doubled.
Exodus 39:9 nlt
He made the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.
Exodus 39 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:15-30 | "You shall make a breastplate of judgment, a work...double folded." | Initial command for breastplate design. |
| Exod 28:29 | "Aaron shall carry the names...on his heart...as a memorial." | Breastplate represents Israel before God. |
| Lev 8:8 | "And he put the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim." | Highlighting the purpose and items placed inside the breastplate. |
| Num 27:21 | "Eleazar the priest... inquire of him by the judgment of the Urim..." | Urim used for divine guidance. |
| Deut 33:8 | "To Levi he said: 'Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one.'" | Association of Urim and Thummim with Levi and priesthood. |
| Josh 7:16-26 | Narrative involving Achan's sin discovered through divine inquiry. | Indirect connection to seeking divine judgment, likely via Urim. |
| 1 Sam 28:6 | "When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets." | Indicates Urim as a valid means of divine communication. |
| Ezra 2:63 | "and told them not to eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim." | Future expectation of priestly divine guidance. |
| Neh 7:65 | Echoes Ezra 2:63 concerning a priest with Urim and Thummim. | Reinforces the importance of specific priestly function. |
| Isa 49:16 | "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands..." | God's constant remembrance of His people, paralleling breastplate. |
| Isa 54:17 | "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper..." | God's protection and upholding of His people, for whom the High Priest interceded. |
| Eph 6:14 | "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness..." | Metaphorical spiritual armor, including a breastplate. |
| Rom 8:34 | "Christ Jesus is the one who died...intercedes for us." | Christ's ongoing intercession for His people as ultimate High Priest. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest...let us with confidence draw near." | Jesus as the perfect High Priest, enabling direct access to God. |
| Heb 8:2 | "a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up..." | Heavenly sanctuary where Christ ministers, foreshadowed by Tabernacle. |
| Heb 8:5 | "...for see that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mount." | Emphasis on precise divine instruction for earthly tabernacle. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest...entered once for all into the holy places..." | Christ's superior and final High Priestly work. |
| Rev 1:12-13 | "I saw...one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and a golden sash around his chest." | Vision of Christ, reminiscent of priestly garments. |
| Rev 21:12-14 | Description of the New Jerusalem with twelve gates and twelve foundations, bearing names. | Echoes the representation of the twelve tribes/apostles in new creation. |
| Zech 3:4 | "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." | Priestly cleansing and divine clothing, relating to holiness. |
| Ps 89:34 | "I will not violate My covenant or alter the word that went out from My lips." | God's faithfulness and unchanging word, reflected in fixed design. |
| 2 Cor 3:12 | "...we have such a hope, we are very bold," (ministry of new covenant) | Contrasts old covenant mediation with directness of new, though appreciating its shadow. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Believers now a "priesthood," drawing from Old Testament types. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 9 Meaning
Exodus 39:9 describes a specific construction detail of the High Priest's breastplate, known as the Choshen Mishpat (Breastplate of Judgment). It states that the breastplate was made "square" and "double folded." This indicates precise craftsmanship and design. The "square" shape likely referred to its form when spread out, emphasizing stability and balance. The "double folded" nature implies a pouch-like structure, essential for holding the Urim and Thummim, the sacred lots used for divine revelation. This meticulous design highlighted the divine origin and sacred function of the breastplate, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord.
Exodus 39 9 Context
Exodus 39 details the skillful work of Bezalel, Oholiab, and other craftsmen in faithfully executing God's commands for the construction of the Tabernacle and the priestly garments. This chapter is a demonstration of Israel's obedience, mirroring the precise instructions given in earlier chapters, particularly Exodus 28. Verse 9 specifically describes the making of the breastplate of judgment, a vital component of the High Priest's attire. The historical context involves Israel in the wilderness, being given precise instructions for a portable sanctuary and a dedicated priesthood, distinguishing them from surrounding pagan nations whose worship practices often involved less precision or were dictated by human whims. The breastplate, a core element, served to constantly remind God of His people through the names of the tribes etched on the stones it held and allowed divine communication through the Urim and Thummim contained within its double-folded pouch.
Exodus 39 9 Word analysis
- Square (רָבוּעַ - ravu'a):
- Meaning: Literally "foursquare," or quadrangular.
- Significance: Denotes stability, balance, and completeness. In ancient symbolism, the square often represented perfection and foundational strength, as opposed to ephemeral or circular forms which might suggest movement or cycles. Here, it signifies the steady and unmoving nature of God's covenant with Israel and the firm foundation of priestly intercession.
- They were (הָיָה - hayah - "was/were"):
- Significance: Simple past tense, indicating a completed action and faithful adherence to divine instructions. The construction was according to God's specification.
- And double folded (כָּפוּל - kaful):
- Meaning: Literally "folded" or "doubled." Implies it was a pouch or pocket, made by folding a single piece of fabric.
- Significance: This crucial detail explains how the Urim and Thummim (not mentioned in this verse, but clearly implied by the nature of the breastplate as detailed elsewhere) were securely held within. The doubling provides structural integrity and a secure enclosure, representing the concealed nature of divine revelation yet its protected sacredness. It might also symbolize the two aspects of divine law (justice and mercy) or the dual role of the High Priest (intercessor and bearer of divine judgment).
- They made (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - vayya'asu - "and they made"):
- Significance: Highlights the human agency in executing divine commands. It stresses that the people, through their appointed craftsmen, faithfully performed the work as instructed by God through Moses. It reinforces obedience as a central theme.
- The breastplate (הַחֹשֶׁן - ha'choshen):
- Meaning: The breastpiece or breastplate. Often specified as choshen mishpat ("breastplate of judgment") elsewhere, although simply "breastplate" here refers to that specific article.
- Significance: This was the most important priestly garment worn on the chest. It symbolized the High Priest carrying the twelve tribes on his heart before the Lord. It was also the instrument through which God's will and judgment (justice) were revealed via the Urim and Thummim. Its centrality reflects the High Priest's mediating role between God and Israel.
Words-group analysis
- "Square they were; and double folded they made": This phrase succinctly describes the shape and construction method. It emphasizes the precision required by divine blueprint. The "square" form conveys a sense of stability and exactness, while "double folded" points to a practical function of securing contents and providing resilience. This meticulous detail demonstrates that even seemingly minor aspects of the Tabernacle were divinely appointed for symbolic and functional reasons, leaving no room for human deviation or interpretation in design. The specific construction ensures the stability of the items it held and the endurance of its symbolic representation of the tribes.
Exodus 39 9 Bonus section
The breastplate's exact dimensions when square were a "span by a span," indicating roughly 9 inches by 9 inches, a relatively compact and precisely defined area. This small yet symbolically immense item encapsulated the entire covenant community of Israel and served as the direct channel for God's oracles. The Urim and Thummim, held within this "double folded" structure, represented "lights" and "perfections," serving as instruments of divine guidance for Israel's leaders. The secure, folded construction ensured these precious and powerful items were always close to the High Priest's heart, symbolizing the nation's constant presence before God and their reliance on His righteous judgment and perfect light for direction. This physical security underscored the spiritual security and certainty that divine revelation offered to God's chosen people.
Exodus 39 9 Commentary
Exodus 39:9 underscores the meticulous care and precision with which the sacred objects for the Tabernacle and its service were crafted, specifically the breastplate of the High Priest. The specification that it was "square" emphasizes perfect symmetry and stability, symbolizing the unwavering nature of God and His covenant. Its "double folded" design speaks to its practical purpose as a secure pouch, especially for holding the Urim and Thummim, the means by which divine guidance and judgment were sought. This detail highlights that divine revelation, while powerful, was securely held within sacred boundaries. The repeated emphasis throughout Exodus on making items exactly as the Lord commanded (e.g., Exod 39:1, 5, 7, etc.) is pivotal; human ingenuity was subjected to divine blueprint, ensuring that the earthly sanctuary perfectly reflected heavenly realities. This breastplate, therefore, was not merely an ornate garment but a holy vessel, representing the twelve tribes perpetually before God's presence and facilitating divine communication. It prefigures Christ, our Great High Priest, who bears His people on His heart before God, securing divine favor and offering perfect access to truth and grace.