Bible Strands
Exodus 39:21
Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelite craftsmen secure the high priest’s vestments during tabernacle construction, executing instructions previously given to Moses. They fasten the breastpiece to the ephod at the final stage of assembling the sacred garments.
The words — וַ/יִּרְכְּס֣וּ (va/yirkesu) means “they bound” or “they tied,” describing the physical fastening action. הַ/חֹ֡שֶׁן (ha/cho.shen) translates literally to “the breastpiece,” identifying the specific garment component being secured.
The thread — The emphasis on exact compliance with divine orders runs through the New Testament call to deny oneself and take up a cross (Matthew 16:24) and the pattern of God choosing the weak to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). These passages trace a consistent thread of obedient submission to God’s specific instructions over human preference.
Why it lands — The text demands precise adherence to divine specifications rather than improvisation. A reader must apply the same disciplined obedience to God’s commands without adding or subtracting from the given order.
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 they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the Lord commanded Moses.
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.