Exodus 39:15

For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The narrator records the artisans' work on the high priest's garments during the tabernacle's construction at Sinai. This description follows the placement of the tribal stones and precedes the attachment of the breastpiece's rings.

The words — The Hebrew שַׁרְשֻׁרֹת (sharsherot) denotes "chains," while גַּבְלֻת מַעֲשֶׂה עֲבֹת (gavlut ma'aseh avot) literally means "twisting work of cordage." These terms specify the braided gold cords used to secure the breastpiece.

The thread — The same braided gold chains appear in the initial command for the breastpiece at Exodus 28:14 and reappear in Solomon's temple decorations at 2 Chronicles 3:5. The New Testament never applies this imagery to the breastpiece, though John 10:28 uses binding language for spiritual security.

Why it lands — The text demands attention to the precise craftsmanship required for sacred objects. It asks the reader to recognize that divine instructions leave no detail to artistic improvisation.

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

וַיַּעֲשׂ֧וּva/i.ya.'a.Suand/ they made עַל־'al-on הַחֹ֛שֶׁןha./Cho.shenthe/ breastpiece שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥תshar.she.Rotchains of גַּבְלֻ֖תgav.Luttwisting מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Seha work of עֲבֹ֑ת'a.Votcordage זָהָ֖בza.Havgold טָהֽוֹר׃ta.Horpure

King James Version

And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.

Cross-references

John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold, made of braided cord work; and attach these chains to the settings.
2 Chronicles 3:5 He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains.
Song of Solomon 1:10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
1 Peter 1:5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jude 1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: