They also made the onyx stones, set in gold filigree settings; they were engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel.
Parallel translations
- WEB They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel.
- KJV And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
- BSB They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
- NKJV And they set onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.
- NLT They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved.
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
They set two onyx stones in gold and engraved them with the names of Israel's sons, like a signet seal. These would be worn on the priest's shoulders.
Overview
Each onyx stone was engraved with names of the twelve tribes, like a personalized seal, then mounted in gold. The high priest would thus literally bear Israel's names into God's presence. This beautiful provision shows that God's people are remembered individually and represented before Him, a comfort fulfilled in Christ who ever lives to intercede for His own.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Exod 28:9You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel:
- Ezek 28:13You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. In the day that you were created they were prepared.
- Job 28:16It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
- Exod 35:9onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
- Exod 25:7onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
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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 39:6 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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