BibleWord.ai› Bible› Exodus› Chapter 28› Verse 12

Exodus 28:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 28:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
Exodus 28:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
10six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth.
11With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be inclosed in settings of gold.
12And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
13And thou shalt make settings of gold,
14and two chains of pure gold; like cords shalt thou make them, of wreathen work: and thou shalt put the wreathen chains on the settings.
15And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
← Exodus 28:11Exodus 28:13 →
← Full Chapter 28 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou shall put the stones upon the shoulders of the ephod, etc.] That is, the shoulder pieces of it; these stones were put there, the names of the twelve sons of Israel being engraven on them, and they, set in rims or sockets of gold, and serving for buttons to the shoulder pieces: but chiefly the design of them was for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: not to put the Israelites in mind of the merits of their ancestors, as the Targum of Jonathan; for none of their works were meritorious, and some were not good, and not worthy of remembrance; but rather to put Aaron or the high priest in mind to pray and make intercession for the twelve tribes, whose names were on the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Exodus 39:1-31.) Moses is now commanded to commit all that pertains to the offerings made to the Lord in the sanctuary to the exclusive charge of the members of a single family, who were to hold their office from generation to generation. In the patriarchal times, the external rites of worship had generally been conducted by the head of the tribe or family, in accordance with the principle involved in the dedication of the firstborn Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:12-13. Moses, as the divinely-appointed and acknowledged leader of the nation, had, on a special occasion, appointed those who were to offer sacrifice, and had himself sprinkled the consecrating blood of the victims on the people…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“28:12 names on his shoulders (cp. Isa 9:6): The badge of office on the shoulder indicated what the person was really carrying. Thus, the high priest represented the people before God, and with his royal garments he represented the glory of God before the people.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the shoulders: Exo 28:7; Psa 89:19; Isa 9:6, Isa 12:2; Zac 6:13, Zac 6:14; Heb 7:25-28 Aaron shall bear: Exo 28:29, Exo 39:6, Exo 39:7 for a memorial: Exo 12:14, Exo 13:9, Exo 39:7; Gen 9:12-17; Lev 24:7; Num 16:40, Num 31:54; Jos 4:7; Isa 62:6; Zac 6:14; Luk 1:54, Luk 1:72; Act 10:4 Exodus 28:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Exodus 28 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification