The Ephod
Exodus 28:6-14
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Exo.28.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האפד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תכלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וארגמן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תולעת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- משזר: VERB,piel,ptcp,ms,sg
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חשב: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.28.5 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same passage listing the same materials (gold, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen) to be used for the ephod — the precursor verbal statement to v.6.
- Exod.39.2 (quotation): Narrative repetition reporting the artisans' actual making of the ephod using gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen — a direct retrospective quotation of the specifications in 28:6.
- Exod.25:4 (thematic): Lists colours and fine linen among the materials contributed for the tabernacle and its furnishings; thematically connects the priestly garments’ fabrics and colours to wider tabernacle textiles.
- Lev.8:7 (structural): Describes the priestly investiture in which the ephod and its woven band are placed on Aaron — connects the making of the ephod in Exod.28:6 to its ceremonial use in priestly consecration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen, work of a skillful designer.
- And they shall make the ephod of gold, the blue, the purple, the scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen—work of a designer.
Exo.28.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- כתפת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- חברת: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- קצותיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- וחבר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.28.6 (verbal): Same pericope describing the ephod's shoulder-pieces and their being joined; closely parallels the language about the two shoulder-pieces being attached to the ephod.
- Exod.28.12 (verbal): Continues the ephod instructions by placing engraved onyx stones upon the two shoulder-pieces — directly connected to the function and description of the shoulder pieces in 28:7.
- Exod.28.4 (thematic): Summarizes the priestly garments (including the ephod) made for glory and beauty; thematically frames the shoulder-pieces as part of the wider cultic vestments.
- Exod.39.6 (quotation): In the construction narrative this verse repeats the instruction about joining the two shoulder-pieces to the ephod, functioning as a direct repetition/fulfillment of 28:7 in the fabrication account.
- Lev.8.7 (structural): Describes the investiture of Aaron with the priestly garments (including the ephod and its fittings), showing how the shoulder-pieces function in the rite of ordination.
Alternative generated candidates
- It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to it; at its two ends it shall be joined.
- It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to it; at its two ends it shall be joined.
Exo.28.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחשב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפדתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- כמעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תכלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וארגמן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותולעת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- משזר: VERB,piel,ptcp,ms,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 28:6 (verbal): Gives the same list of materials for the ephod — gold, blue, purple, crimson/scarlet, and fine linen — closely mirroring the wording of 28:8 about the ephod's workmanship.
- Exodus 39:2-3 (quotation): Narrative report that Bezalel and the artisans actually made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen — a direct fulfillment/repetition of the commanded materials and craft described in 28:8.
- Exodus 28:5 (allusion): Contexts the command to take specified materials for the priestly garments; echoes the design/workmanship motif ('skilled workman') that 28:8 emphasizes for the ephod.
- Leviticus 8:7-8 (structural): Describes Aaron being vested with the ephod and breastpiece during consecration — connects the manufactured ephod (materials and workmanship) to its liturgical use on the high priest.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the band of the ephod that is on it shall be of one piece with it, like its work: of gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen.
- And the designed band of the ephod that is on it shall be of like workmanship with it, of one piece with it: of gold, the blue, the purple, the scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen.
Exo.28.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- אבני: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- שהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- ופתחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- שמות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.28.12 (verbal): Direct continuation: the two onyx stones with the engraved names are to be set in the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a memorial — repeats the same action and purpose.
- Exod.28.21 (thematic): Describes the breastplate’s twelve stones, each engraved with the name of a tribe; thematically parallels the practice of engraving the names of Israel on priestly stones.
- Exod.28.29 (thematic): States that Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on his heart in the breastplate of judgment — connects the function and symbolism of engraved names on priestly garments.
- Exod.39.6-7 (structural): Narrative repetition in the construction account: the artisans set the two onyx shoulder-stones on the ephod and Moses engraved the names of the sons of Israel, echoing Exod. 28:9–12.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel.
- And you shall take two onyx stones, and you shall engrave on them the names of the Israelites.
Exo.28.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ששה: NUM,card,m,pl
- משמתם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- האבן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- האחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- שמות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הששה: NUM,m,pl,def
- הנותרים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- האבן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השנית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- כתולדתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exod 28:9 (verbal): Immediate preceding instruction to take two onyx stones and engrave the names of the sons of Israel — closely mirrors the language and command in v.10.
- Exod 28:11-12 (structural): Continues the same command by directing the placement of the engraved stones on the ephod's shoulders so Aaron bears the tribes' names as a memorial; shows purpose and use of the engraved names.
- Exod 28:21 (structural): Describes the twelve stones of the breastplate with the tribes' names and their arrangement 'according to their names,' paralleling the concern for tribal names and ordered placement.
- Exod 39:13 (quotation): Craftsmen's execution of the instruction: the two engraved onyx stones are actually set on the ephod's shoulders here, repeating the command of Exod. 28:9–12.
- Gen 49:1-28 (thematic): Jacob's blessing enumerates the twelve sons/tribes and their standing (birth order and tribal identity), thematically connected to engraving the tribal names 'according to their birth.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the second stone, according to their birth.
- Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six remaining on the second stone, in the order of their birth.
Exo.28.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פתוחי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חתם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תפתח: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- האבנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- על: PREP
- שמת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מסבת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משבצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 28:9-12 (verbal): Immediate instruction to take two onyx stones, engrave the names of the sons of Israel on them, and set them in gold on the shoulders of the ephod—same command as v.11.
- Exodus 28:17-21 (thematic): Description of the breastpiece with twelve precious stones each bearing a tribal name; parallels the motif of engraved stones representing the tribes on the priestly garments.
- Exodus 39:6-7 (quotation): Narrative repetition in the construction account: the two onyx stones were engraved with the names of the sons of Israel and set on the ephod’s shoulders (fulfillment of the instruction).
- Leviticus 8:8 (quotation): In the consecration of Aaron, Moses places the onyx stones with the sons of Israel’s names on the ephod’s shoulders as a memorial before the LORD—explicit fulfillment/allusion to the command in Exod. 28:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- As the work of a stone engraver, engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; you shall make them set in settings of gold all around.
- Work of a stone-engraver, engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the Israelites; you shall mount them in settings of gold.
Exo.28.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- האבנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- על: PREP
- כתפת: NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- האפד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אבני: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- זכרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונשא: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- שמותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- כתפיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- לזכרן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.28:9-10 (verbal): Immediate context giving the instruction to engrave the names of the sons of Israel on two stones for the ephod’s shoulders—same command echoed in 28:12.
- Exod.28:29-30 (thematic): Describes Aaron bearing the names of Israel on the breastpiece before the LORD as a memorial and for judgment—parallels the function of bearing tribal names before God.
- Exod.39:6-7 (verbal): Narrative account of the craftsmen placing two onyx stones on the ephod’s shoulders and Moses engraving the names of the sons of Israel—repetition of the command in 28:12.
- Exod.28:17-21 (structural): Specification of the breastpiece’s twelve stones, each bearing a tribe’s name; parallels the practice of inscribing tribal names on priestly garments as a memorial.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance.
- And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, stones of remembrance for the Israelites; and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders, for remembrance.
Exo.28.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- משבצת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.39.8 (verbal): The artisans actually make the gold chains and settings for the priestly breastpiece — a direct repetition/fulfillment of the instruction in Exod. 28:13.
- Exod.28.11-14 (structural): Immediate literary context giving the fuller instruction for the breastpiece and its attachment (the surrounding verses expand on the same command to make settings and chains of gold).
- Lev.8.8 (structural): In the priestly installation narrative the breastplate (with its gold fittings) is placed on Aaron; it presupposes the same gold work commanded in Exod. 28:13.
- Gen.41.42 (verbal): Pharaoh places a gold chain about Joseph’s neck — a secular/royal use of a ‘gold chain’ that parallels the language and symbolic role of gold ornamentation in honor/status.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make settings of gold.
- And you shall make settings of gold.
Exo.28.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- שרשרת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מגבלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ונתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שרשרת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- העבתת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המשבצת: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.28:28 (structural): Describes how the breastpiece is fastened to the ephod by means of gold chains and rings — directly related functional detail to the instruction in 28:14 about making two pure gold chains.
- Exod.39:8 (verbal): In the account of workmanship the artisans ‘made the two chains of pure gold’ — a direct repetition/fulfillment of the command found in 28:14.
- Ezek.16:11-12 (thematic): God ‘put a chain about thy neck’ and other jewelled adornments on Jerusalem — uses the image of chains/necklaces as sacred or honoring ornamentation, paralleling the ceremonial use of gold chains in priestly dress.
- Isa.3:18-23 (thematic): A catalogue of female ornaments (pendants, bracelets, chains) among the daughters of Zion — parallels the cultural and symbolic role of gold chains and jewelry as visible markers of status and identity.
- Gen.24:22 (thematic): Abraham’s servant gives Rebekah a gold earring and bracelets when securing a wife for Isaac — another instance of gold neck/arm jewelry functioning as significant, culturally marked adornment, comparable material culture to the priestly chains.
Alternative generated candidates
- And two chains of pure gold—you shall make them braided, work of cords—and you shall put the braided chains on the settings.
- And two chains of pure gold you shall make, braided, work of cords; and you shall put the braided chains on the settings.
And they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—skillfully worked.
It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to it; at its two ends it shall be joined. And the skillfully woven band of the ephod that is on it shall be of one piece with it, of the same workmanship: gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. And you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel.
Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the second stone, according to their birth order.
As the work of a stone engraver, engraved like a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; you shall mount them in settings of gold. And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. And you shall make settings of gold. And you shall make two chains of pure gold, braided like cords, and you shall put the braided chains on the settings.