and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings. and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.The fourth row of stones on the high priest's breastplate includes beryl, onyx, and jasper. Beryl is often associated with a sea-green color and is mentioned in other biblical contexts, such as in Ezekiel 1:16, where it describes the appearance of the wheels in Ezekiel's vision. Onyx is a stone that appears in Genesis 2:12, associated with the land of Havilah, and is often linked to strength and endurance. Jasper, a stone of varied colors, is mentioned in Revelation 21:11 as part of the New Jerusalem's foundation, symbolizing beauty and glory. These stones represent the tribes of Israel, each stone corresponding to a specific tribe, though the exact tribal associations are not detailed in this passage. The use of precious stones signifies the value and importance of the tribes before God. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings.
The instruction to mount the stones in gold filigree settings highlights the craftsmanship and care involved in creating the high priest's garments. Gold, a symbol of purity and divinity, is used extensively in the tabernacle and its furnishings, reflecting God's holiness and majesty. The filigree work, a delicate and intricate design, underscores the beauty and precision required in worship and service to God. This craftsmanship can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate High Priest, embodying perfection and divine beauty. The use of gold also connects to the heavenly city described in Revelation, where gold is a prominent feature, symbolizing the eternal and unblemished nature of God's kingdom. Persons / Places / Events 1. High PriestThe passage refers to the breastplate of the High Priest, a significant figure in Israelite worship who served as a mediator between God and the people. 2. Breastplate of JudgmentThis is the specific garment being described, which was worn by the High Priest. It contained twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 3. Stones (Beryl, Onyx, Jasper)These precious stones were part of the fourth row on the breastplate, each symbolizing one of the tribes of Israel. 4. TabernacleThe context of this passage is the instructions for the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received these instructions from God on Mount Sinai. Teaching Points Symbolism of the StonesEach stone represents a tribe of Israel, emphasizing the value and uniqueness of each tribe in God's eyes. This teaches us about the individual worth and purpose God assigns to each believer. Role of the High PriestThe High Priest's breastplate signifies his role as a mediator. In the New Covenant, Jesus is our High Priest, reminding us of His intercession and the access we have to God through Him. God's Attention to DetailThe specific instructions for the breastplate highlight God's attention to detail and His desire for order and beauty in worship. This encourages us to approach our worship with reverence and care. Unity in DiversityThe twelve stones, though different, are set together in one breastplate, symbolizing unity among diversity. This reflects the unity of the body of Christ, where each member is unique yet part of the whole. Eternal SignificanceThe use of precious stones points to the eternal value and beauty of God's people, reminding us of our eternal inheritance in Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the symbolism of the stones on the High Priest's breastplate enhance your understanding of your identity in Christ? 2. In what ways does the role of the High Priest in the Old Testament foreshadow the work of Jesus as our High Priest? 3. How can the detailed instructions for the breastplate inspire us to approach our worship and service to God today? 4. What practical steps can you take to promote unity within the diverse body of Christ, reflecting the unity of the twelve stones? 5. How does the concept of eternal significance, as seen in the use of precious stones, influence your perspective on your daily life and priorities? Connections to Other Scriptures Revelation 21The description of the New Jerusalem includes similar precious stones, symbolizing the continuity of God's covenant and the beauty of His eternal kingdom. 1 Peter 2Believers are described as living stones, being built into a spiritual house, drawing a parallel to the precious stones on the High Priest's breastplate. Hebrews 4The role of Jesus as our High Priest, who intercedes for us, connects to the function of the High Priest in the Old Testament. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, ShohamPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Beryl, Chrysolite, Embroidered, Enclosed, Filigree, Fixed, Fourth, Frames, Gold, Inclosed, Inclosings, Jasper, Mount, Onyx, Row, Settings, Topaz, TwistedDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 28:1-43 1065 God, holiness of Exodus 28:9-21 4342 jewels Exodus 28:15-21 4306 minerals
5211 art Exodus 28:15-30 5140 breasts
7320 breastpiece Library Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
'Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it ... HOLINESS TO THE LORD.'--EXODUS xxviii. 36. 'In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.'--ZECH. xiv. 20. 'His name shall be in their foreheads.'--REV. xxii. 4. You will have perceived my purpose in putting these three widely separated texts together. They all speak of inscriptions, and they are all obviously connected with each other. The first of them comes from the ancient times of the institution …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Names on Aaron's Breastplate
Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place.'--EXODUS xxviii. 12,29. Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, 'Holiness to the Lord,' and in those others upon his breastplate and his shoulder. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.'--Ex. xxviii. 36, 38. God's house was to be the dwelling-place of His Holiness, the place where He was to reveal Himself; as the Holy One, not to be approached but with …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Edwards -- Spiritual Light
Jonathan Edwards, the New England divine and metaphysician, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1703. He was graduated early from Yale College, where he had given much attention to philosophy, became tutor of his college, and at nineteen began to preach. His voice and manner did not lend themselves readily to pulpit oratory, but his clear, logical, and intense presentation of the truth produced a profound and permanent effect upon his hearers. He wrote what were considered the most important …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3 That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
The ruler should always be pure in thought, inasmuch as no impurity ought to pollute him who has undertaken the office of wiping away the stains of pollution in the hearts of others also; for the hand that would cleanse from dirt must needs be clean, lest, being itself sordid with clinging mire, it soil whatever it touches all the more. For on this account it is said through the prophet, Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isai. lii. 11). For they bear the vessels of the Lord who undertake, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 28:20 NIVExodus 28:20 NLTExodus 28:20 ESVExodus 28:20 NASBExodus 28:20 KJV
Exodus 28:20 Commentaries
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