Bible Strands
Exodus 28:12
Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the completion of the high priest's garments, directing the physical placement of the engraved stones on the ephod's shoulder pieces.
The words — The Hebrew verb שַׂמְתָּ (samta) means "you will put" or "fasten," commanding the attachment of the two stones (אֲבָנִים, avenim) onto the shoulder pieces (כִתְפֹּת, kitpot) of the ephod.
The thread — The command to bear the tribes' names on Aaron's shoulders as a memorial before the LORD parallels their later placement on the breastpiece over his heart (Exodus 28:29) and is realized in the tabernacle's construction (Exodus 39:6).
Why it lands — The text requires Aaron to physically carry the engraved names of the sons of Israel on his shoulders as a standing memorial before God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 28:29 Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD.
- Exodus 39:6 They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
- Joshua 4:7 you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”
- Leviticus 24:7 And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD.
- Numbers 16:40 just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
- Numbers 31:54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Genesis 9:12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:
- Exodus 12:14 And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.
- Exodus 13:9 It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.