◄ Exodus 28:9 ►
Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
Study Bible
Take two onyx stones
The onyx stones were precious gemstones, often associated with beauty and value. In ancient times, onyx was used in various cultures for jewelry and decoration, signifying its importance and rarity. The use of two stones may symbolize completeness or testimony, as two witnesses were required to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). The stones were to be set on the shoulders of the ephod, a priestly garment, indicating the high priest's role in bearing the people before God.

and engrave on them
Engraving signifies permanence and intentionality. The act of engraving the stones suggests that the names of the sons of Israel were to be permanently remembered and represented before God. This mirrors the idea of God engraving His people on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16), indicating a deep, enduring relationship.

the names of the sons of Israel:
The sons of Israel refer to the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. Each tribe had its unique identity and role within the nation. By engraving their names on the onyx stones, the high priest symbolically carried the entire nation into the presence of God, highlighting the unity and collective identity of the Israelites. This act foreshadows Christ, our High Priest, who bears the names of His people before God, interceding on their behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The onyx stones were part of his priestly garments.

3. Sons of Israel
Refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel).

4. Onyx Stones
Precious stones used in the high priest's ephod, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes.

5. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the instructions for the tabernacle and the priestly garments.
Teaching Points
Significance of Names
The engraving of the names of the sons of Israel on the onyx stones signifies God's personal relationship with His people. Each tribe is individually recognized and valued.

Symbolism of the Onyx Stones
The onyx stones represent the burden and responsibility of the priesthood. Aaron carried the names of the tribes on his shoulders, symbolizing his role as an intercessor.

Priestly Role of Believers
Just as Aaron bore the names of the tribes before God, believers today are called to intercede for others and carry their burdens in prayer.

Continuity of God's Covenant
The inclusion of the twelve tribes' names in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the unbroken nature of God's promises to His people.

Holiness and Service
The detailed instructions for the priestly garments remind us of the importance of holiness and dedication in our service to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What is the significance of engraving the names of the sons of Israel on the onyx stones, and how does this reflect God's relationship with His people?

2. How does the role of Aaron as a high priest foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

3. In what ways can believers today fulfill the role of a "royal priesthood" as described in 1 Peter 2:9?

4. How does the continuity of the twelve tribes' names from Exodus to Revelation demonstrate the faithfulness of God's promises?

5. What practical steps can we take to carry the burdens of others in prayer, following the example of Aaron's intercessory role?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 39:6-7
Describes the actual making of the onyx stones and their placement on the ephod, fulfilling God's command.

Revelation 21:12-14
The New Jerusalem is described with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, showing the continuity of God's covenant people.

1 Peter 2:9
Christians are described as a royal priesthood, connecting the priestly role of Aaron to the spiritual role of believers today.
Sermons
Aaron in His Priesthood the Type of JesusJ. Urquhart Exodus 28:1-38
The Priests and Their GarmentsJ. Orr Exodus 28:1-43
The EphodJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Exodus 28:6-14
The EphodG. Rodgers.Exodus 28:6-14
People
Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, Shoham
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Beryl, Cut, Engrave, Grave, Hast, Names, Onyx, Opened, Shoham, Sons, Stones
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 28:1-43

     1065   God, holiness of

Exodus 28:6-13

     7352   ephod

Exodus 28:9-12

     5073   Aaron, priest
     5211   art
     5212   arts and crafts
     5306   engraving
     7394   memorial

Exodus 28:9-21

     4342   jewels

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 Scripture

The 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

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