Exodus 28:9 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is instructing Moses to engrave the names of Israel's twelve tribes on two precious stones as part of the high priest's sacred clothing.

📚 Historical Context

This verse is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses for making the sacred garments for Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. The onyx stones would be mounted on the shoulder pieces of the ephod (a special vest-like garment) that the high priest wore when serving in the tabernacle. This was around 1440 BC when the Israelites were camped at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt.

Explore Similar Verses

Exodus 28:11

Like a skilled craftsman engraving a seal, you should carve the names of the children of Israel on the two stones. Then set these stones in gold settings.

Exodus 39:6

They prepared onyx stones set in gold frames, with the names of Israel's sons engraved on them like official seals.

Exodus 28:12

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.

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