Exodus 25:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 25:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
Exodus 25:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Onyx stones, etc.] So called from their likeness to the nail of a man’s finger: the Targum of Onkelos calls them stones of beryl; and the Targum of Jonathan gems of beryl; and the Septuagint version, stones of sardius; and some take them to be the sardonyx stones, which have a likeness both to the onyx and to the sardius: and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate; two onyx stones were set in the ephod, one of the garments of the high priest, and an onyx stone, with eleven other precious stones, were set in the breastplate of the high priest: these stones were doubtless among the jewels set in gold and silver the Israelites had of the Egyptians, and brought with them out of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ephod--a square cloak, hanging down from the shoulders, and worn by priests.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yahweh had redeemed the Israelites from bondage. He had made a covenant with them and had given them laws. He had promised, on condition of their obedience, to accept them as His own “peculiar treasure,” as “a kingdom of priests and an holy nation” Exodus 19:5-6. And now He was ready visibly to testify that He made his abode with them. He claimed to have a dwelling for Himself, which was to be in external form a tent of goats’ hair Exodus 19:4, to take its place among their own tents, and formed out of the same material (see Exodus 26:7 note). The special mark of His presence within the tent was to be the ark or chest containing the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone Exodus 31:18,…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Onyx stones: Exo 28:9-21 ephod: Exo 28:4, Exo 28:6, Exo 28:15 Exodus 25:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification