You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
Parallel translations
- KJV And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
- BSB For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.
- NKJV “You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end, like braided cords of pure gold.
- NASB You shall also make on the breastpiece twisted chains of cord work in pure gold.
- NLT “To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold thread.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Braided chains of pure gold, like cords, were to be made for the breastplate. These would secure it to the ephod.
Overview
The twisted gold chains provided the means to fasten the breastplate firmly in place over the priest's heart. The repeated emphasis on pure gold marks the holiness of the work. The secure attachment pictures how the priest held the people close and steady before God.
Cross-references & the web
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 28:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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