Exodus 39:8

He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator details the craftsmen’s completion of the high priest’s vestments, placing the breastpiece’s construction immediately after the memorial stones were secured on the ephod’s shoulder pieces.

The words — The text emphasizes חֹשֵׁב (cho.Shev), meaning “skillful workmanship,” to describe the breastpiece’s fabrication. It specifies this matches כְּמַעֲשֵׂה (ke./ma.'a.Seh), literally “like the work,” of the ephod.

The thread — This garment first appears in the command list of Exodus 28:4 and is later referenced during the gold filigree setting instructions in Exodus 28:13. Its liturgical function is recorded in Leviticus 8:8 when Moses places it on Aaron and inserts the Urim and Thummim.

Why it lands — The verse demands attention to the precise material composition and standardized craftsmanship required for sacred office. It establishes that priestly garments must be constructed through exact replication of divine specifications rather than 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

וַיַּ֧עַשׂva/i.Ya.'asand/ he made אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַחֹ֛שֶׁןha./Cho.shenthe/ breastpiece מַעֲשֵׂ֥הma.'a.Seh[the] work of חֹשֵׁ֖בcho.Sheva skillful worker כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣הke./ma.'a.Sehlike/ [the] work of אֵפֹ֑ד'e.Fod[the] ephod זָהָ֗בza.Havgold תְּכֵ֧לֶתte.Khe.letviolet stuff וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ןve./'ar.ga.Manand/ purple וְתוֹלַ֥עַתve./to.La.'atand/ scarlet stuff of שָׁנִ֖יsha.Niscarlet וְשֵׁ֥שׁve./Sheshand/ fine linen מָשְׁזָֽר׃ma.she.Zartwisted

King James Version

And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

Cross-references

Exodus 28:4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.
Exodus 28:13 Fashion gold filigree settings
Leviticus 8:8 Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece.
Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
Psalms 89:28 I will forever preserve My loving devotion for him, and My covenant with him will stand fast.
Exodus 25:7 and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.