And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
You must place the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the people of Israel. Aaron will carry their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a remembrance.
God is instructing that the high priest should wear stones engraved with the names of Israel's tribes on his shoulders, symbolically carrying the people before God in prayer and worship.
📚 Historical Context
This instruction was given during Israel's time in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, as God was establishing the priesthood and worship system. The ephod was a special vest-like garment worn by the high priest, and Aaron was Moses' brother who became Israel's first high priest. These memorial stones ensured that when the high priest entered God's presence, he symbolically brought all twelve tribes of Israel with him.
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