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Exodus 39:1-23

The Priestly Garments

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1From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, as well as the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

2Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.

3They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.

4They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.

5And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

6They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.

7Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

8He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

9It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.

10And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

11the second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

12the third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

13and the fourth row had a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. These stones were mounted in gold filigree settings.

14The twelve stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel. Each stone was engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

15For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.

16They also made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the two rings to the two corners of the breastpiece.

17Then they fastened the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

18and they fastened the other ends of the two chains to the two filigree settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.

19They made two more gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the inside edge next to the ephod.

20They made two additional gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near the seam just above its woven waistband.

21Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

22They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, the work of a weaver,

23with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The craftsmen make the garments for sanctuary service. Gold is hammered into thin sheets, cut into threads, and woven with colored yarn and fine linen for the ephod. The onyx shoulder stones are engraved with the names of Israel's sons.

The breastpiece carries twelve gemstones, each engraved with the name of a tribe. Chains, rings, and blue cord secure it to the ephod so it will not swing away. The blue robe has a reinforced opening so it will not tear.

Costly materials and practical details belong together. The workers are preparing garments to be worn in service, so fastening and strength matter as well as beauty. Several times the account says the work is done as the LORD commanded Moses. Their craftsmanship answers His instruction.

The engraved names also keep the purpose clear. In Exodus 28, God explained that Aaron would bear Israel's names before Him. Each tribe is represented by name. The beauty of the garments serves that priestly responsibility.

Questions

1 How do the craftsmen include gold in the ephod's fabric?

AnswerThey hammer gold into thin sheets, cut threads from them, and weave those threads with colored yarn and fine linen. This requires skilled, careful work.

2 What do the breastpiece's twelve stones bear?

AnswerEach is engraved with the name of one of Israel's twelve tribes. Together they represent the people for whom the priest will serve.

3 Which details help make the garments fit for actual use?

AnswerChains, rings, and a blue cord secure the breastpiece so it will not swing away. A collar reinforces the robe's opening so it will not tear.

4 What might we check before giving someone something we have made?

AnswerWhether it is secure, usable, and suited to what they need. Care includes the small finishing work that makes a gift dependable after its first impression.

What This Means for Us

The cord that holds the breastpiece and the collar that prevents a tear receive attention alongside the gemstones. Good preparation considers what happens when something is used.

When you prepare a gift or take responsibility for a task, think beyond its appearance. Finish the part that makes it work safely and reliably for the person receiving it. Care for that person can guide the quality of the work.

Prayer

Holy God, teach us to carry people with both responsibility and compassion. Keep worship from becoming display, and make every person entrusted with influence attentive to the names and needs before them. Amen.

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