Exodus 28:17-20
You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse doesn't just list beautiful stones; it details a precise, four-tiered arrangement. This isn't random decoration but a deliberate structure, highlighting the intentionality of God’s design in clothing the high priest, even down to the specific stones and their order.
This passage describes the ornate breastpiece that the High Priest would wear, which served as a vital connection between God and the people of Israel. It details the intricate craftsmanship and the precious stones that would adorn it, with each stone representing one of the twelve tribes. The arrangement of these stones, inscribed with the tribes' names, was meant to symbolize the High Priest bearing the people before the Lord.
Imagine the weight of carrying the names of an entire nation on your chest. What did these precious stones on the High Priest's garment signify?
The breastplate worn by the High Priest was adorned with twelve precious stones, arranged in four rows. Each stone was engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
A Symbol of Representation
This wasn't just decorative. The stones served as a constant, tangible reminder of the people that the High Priest represented before God. When he entered the Most Holy Place, he carried the identity and concerns of all Israel with him.
Divine Authority and Identity
These stones weren't chosen randomly. God Himself designed the breastplate and specified the stones and their arrangement. This highlights that the representation was divinely ordained, not a human initiative. The very identity of the tribes, and thus their relationship with God, was entrusted to the High Priest's care.
Beyond just names, the High Priest's breastplate held more profound symbols. What did the 'judgment' and the stones' beauty truly represent?
The breastplate was more than just a display of tribal names; it was also called the 'breastplate of judgment' (Exodus 28:15). This signifies its role in discerning God's will and ensuring right standing before Him.
God's Perfect Rule
The arrangement and beauty of the stones, along with the mysterious Urim and Thummim (though not explicitly in this verse, they were part of the breastplate's function), pointed to God's perfect and infallible standard of judgment. The High Priest, adorned with these gems, was to act as an administrator of divine justice and wisdom for Israel.
A Glimpse of Christ's Priesthood
Commentators see these stones and the breastplate as foreshadowing the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ. He not only bears our names before the Father but also embodies perfect righteousness and judgment. The beauty and value of the stones reflect the immeasurable worth of Christ and the preciousness of those who are His.
Understand the original words
odem · Hebrew Noun
The precious stone occupying the first position on the breastpiece; often associated with the color red and representing the first tribe of Israel (Reuben). It symbolizes the value God places on His people and their place in His presence.
pitdah · Hebrew Noun
A precious stone of yellowish-gold hue. Used in scripture to represent beauty, value, and divine light, serving as a reminder of the precious nature of the tribes before God.
bareqeth · Hebrew Noun
A brilliant, deep red stone, often associated with fire or lightning. It speaks to the holiness and consuming presence of God in whose presence the high priest stands.
nopek · Hebrew Noun
This passage describes a king adorned with precious stones, mirroring the description of the high priest's garments and suggesting a connection between earthly beauty and divine representation.
Revelation 4:3The imagery of the throne room in heaven, adorned with precious stones like jasper and carnelian, evokes a divine splendor that parallels the sacred vestments described in Exodus.
Revelation 21:19-20The description of the foundations of the New Jerusalem's wall being adorned with twelve precious stones directly echoes the twelve tribes represented on the high priest's breastplate.
Isaiah 54:11-12This prophecy speaks of rebuilding Zion with precious stones, including sapphires and carbuncles, linking the symbolic beauty of the stones to God's redemptive work and restoration.
clarkeExodus 28:17: "And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row."
Four rows of stones - With a name on each stone, making in all the twelve names of the twelve tribes. And as these were disposed according to their birth, Exodus 28:10 , we may suppose they stood in this order, the stones being placed also in the order in which they are produced, Exodus 28:17-20 : - Four Rows of Stones F…
calvinExodus 28:1-43: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even. Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Tu vero accerse ad to Aharonem fratre…
The verse doesn't just list beautiful stones; it details a precise, four-tiered arrangement. This isn't random decoration but a deliberate structure, highlighting the intentionality of God’s design in clothing the high priest, even down to the specific stones and their order.
This passage describes the ornate breastpiece that the High Priest would wear, which served as a vital connection between God and the people of Israel. It details the intricate craftsmanship and the precious stones that would adorn it, with each stone representing one of the twelve tribes. The arrangement of these stones, inscribed with the tribes' names, was meant to symbolize the High Priest bearing the people before the Lord.
This passage describes the ornate breastpiece that the High Priest would wear, which served as a vital connection between God and the people of Israel. It details the intricate craftsmanship and the precious stones that would adorn it, with each stone representing one of the twelve tribes. The arrangement of these stones, inscribed with the tribes' names, was meant to symbolize the High Priest bearing the people before the Lord.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Exodus 28:17-20 is available in the Sola app.
A bright green precious stone. It reflects God's life-giving power and beauty, representing the vitality of the covenant relationship.
sappir · Hebrew Noun
A precious blue stone, often associated with the pavement under God's throne in heaven. It symbolizes the heavenly, divine nature of the law and God's covenantal faithfulness.
yahalom · Hebrew Noun
A stone of extreme hardness and brilliance. It represents enduring strength and the unchangeable, precious character of God's covenant with His people.
leshem · Hebrew Noun
A stone of distinct color, historically identified with hyacinth or orange-red tones. It illustrates the diversity and beauty of the tribes held together by the high priest's intercession.
shebo · Hebrew Noun
A translucent stone known for its layers or stripes. It symbolizes the complexity and multi-faceted nature of the people of God, all unified under His holiness.
achlamah · Hebrew Noun
A precious stone known for its purple hue. Purple is historically associated with royalty, suggesting the high calling and status of Israel as a kingdom of priests.
tarshish · Hebrew Noun
A stone often associated with a pale green or yellowish-green color. It reflects the beauty and splendor of the created order consecrated to God's service.
shoham · Hebrew Noun
A banded stone often used in jewelry. It signifies foundational strength and the endurance of the covenantal promises given to the tribes.
yashepheh · Hebrew Noun
A highly valued stone, often opaque and multicolored. As the final stone in the breastpiece, it represents the complete, multifaceted, and glorious presence of all the tribes before the Lord.
zahav · Hebrew Noun
The most precious metal in the tabernacle, representing divine purity, royalty, and the holiness of God. In this context, it secures the stones, symbolizing that God's grace and glory hold His people together.
"You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a…" — The verse doesn't just list beautiful stones; it details a precise, four-tiered arrangement. This isn't random decoration but a deliberate structure, highlighting the intentionality of God’s design i…
