exodus-28:5-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:5

The materials of the priestly garments. The materials for the priestly garments were to be limited to six—precious stones, which are not here mentioned, as being ornamental, rather than essential, parts of the apparel; a blue thread, known as "blue" (compare Exodus 25:4 ); a purple or crimson one, known as "purple;" a scarlet one, known as "scarlet;" and a white one, which is called "fine linen." These were the same materials as those used for the veil ( Exodus 26:31 ), and curtains ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:6

The Ephod , They shall make the ephod The word ephod signifies etymologically any "vestment" or "garment;" but in its use it is confined to the special vestment here described, the great object of which was to be a receptacle for the "breast-plate." The ephod was a sort of jerkin or waistcoat, consisting of two pieces, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together probably by a seam, above the shoulders, and united at the waist by a band called "the curious girdle of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:7

The two shoulder-pieces thereof, Literally, "Two shoulder-pieces." There is no article, and no possessive pronoun. At the two edges thereof. Literally, "at its two ends." A union of the back and front flaps of the dress by a seam at the top of the shoulder seems to be intended. Female dresses were made in this way among the Greeks, but fastened with a brooch or buckle. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:8

The curious girdle . Josephus says of the ephod, ζώνῃ περισφίγγεται βάμμασι διαπεποικιλμένῃ χρυσοῦ συνυφασμένου , "it is fastened with a girdle dyed of many hues, with gold interwoven in it." Hence its name, khesheb , which means properly "device" or "cunning work." Of the ephod . Rather "of its girding"— i.e. "wherewith it (the ephod) was to be girded." Shall be of the same . Compare above, Exodus 25:19 . The girdle was to be "of one piece" with the ephod, woven on to it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:9

Two onyx stones . The correctness of this rendering has been much disputed. The LXX . give σμάραγδος , "emeraid." as the Greek equivalent in the present passage, while many argue for the beryl (Winer, Rosenmuller, Bollermann), and others for the sardonyx. This last rendering has the support of Josephus and Aquila. The sardonyx is, in fact, nothing but the best kind of onyx, differing from the onyx by having three layers—black, white, and red—instead of two—black and white—only. When... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:10

The other six names of the rest. Literally, "The remaining six names." According to their birth — i.e; in the order of seniority—or perhaps, in the order observed in Exodus 1:2-4 , where the children of the two legitimate wives are given the precedence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:11

With the work of an engraver . Rather, "an artificer." The engravings of a signet . Signets in Egypt were ordinarily rings, on the bezel of which the name of the owner was inscribed. Some were of solid gold; others with cylindrical bezels of glass or hard stone. On the early use of such signet rings in Egypt see Genesis 41:42 . Cylinders, strung round the wrist and engraved with a name and titles, were common in Mesopotamia from b.c. 2000. Ouches of gold. Settings in open-work or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:12

Stones of memorial unto the children of Israel . Rather " for the children of Israel"—stones, i.e. which should serve to remind God that the high priest represented the twelve tribes, officiated in their name, and pleaded on their behalf. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:13

Ouches of gold . "Buttons" according to one view (Cook): "sockets," according to another (Kalisch): "rosettes," according to a third (Keil). Some small ornament of open-work (see the comment on Exodus 28:11 ), which could be sewn on to the ephod, and whereto a chain might be attached, seems to be intended. The object was to fasten the "breast-plate" firmly to the ephod. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:13-30

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