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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:13-30
The Teachings of the Breast-plate. The breast-plate of judgment has many aspects, and teaches us several important truths—e.g.:— I. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF SOULS IN GOD'S SIGHT. The tribes of Israel are represented by gems—…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:14
At the ends. The meaning of the Hebrew word migaloth is very doubtful. Jarchi and Rosemuller approve of the rendering of our translators. Geddes, Boothroyd, and Dathe render "chains of equal length." Gesenius, Kalisch,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:15
The breast-plate. As the khoshen was to be worn upon the breast (Exodus 28:29), this name is appropriate; but it is not a translation of khoshen. Of judgment. See the introductory paragraph to this section. Kalisch tran…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:16
Four square … being doubled. It has been generally supposed that the doubling was merely for the purpose of giving additional strength to the work, which was to receive twelve heavy gems; but Gesenius and others are of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:17
Settings of stones. These were similar to those of the two shoulder stones—i.e. of filagree or cloisonne work—as appears from Exodus 39:13. The first row of the stones is said to have been composed of a sardius, or sard…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:18
The second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. Here all the names must be wrong, for none of these three stones could be cut by the ancient engravers. Probably, carbuncle (or garnet), lapis lazuli, and onyx are i…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:19
The third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. The term "ligure" is unknown in modern mineralogy; and it is to the last degree uncertain what stone the ancients intended by their lingurium or lapis ligurius Some thi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:20
The fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper. If the identifications above suggested are allowed, two at least of these translations must be rejected. We have supposed the third stone in the first row to have been…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:21
The stones shall be with the names. Rather, "according to the names;" the number of the stones shall agree with that of the names, viz; twelve. Everyone with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes. Rather…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:22
Chains at the ends. Compare the comment on Exodus 28:14. Kalisch translates, "chains of wreathen work, twisted in the manner of ropes."
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:23-28
These verses present no difficulty. They describe very minutely, and with some tautology, the mode in which the breast-plate was to be fastened to the ephod. It was to have four rings, two at its two upper corners (Exod…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:27
Over against the other coupling thereof. Rather, "near its joining." The "joining" of the ephod is perhaps the place where the 'curious girdle" was woven on to it.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:29
And Aaron shall bear, etc. "Aaron," i.e; "shall not only bear the names of the twelve tribes upon his shoulders (Exodus 28:12), but also upon his heart." He shall thus make a double presentation of them to God continual…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:30
Thou shalt put in the breast-plate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim. The words Urim and Thummim mean respectively "Lights "and" Perfections," or perhaps "Light" and "Perfection—the plural form being merely a plural…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:31
All of blue. This plainness and uniformity offered a strong contrast to the variegated hues of the breast-plate and ephod, and threw those portions of the attire into greater prominence. If the blue used was indigo, the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:31-35
EXPOSITION THE ROBE OF THE EPHOD. Underneath the ephod and breast-plate the high priest was to wear a robe, or frock, wholly of blue. This robe was to have a hole for the head at the top, and was to be woven without sea…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:31
The Teachings of the Robe. I. THE NEED OF HEAVENLY CALM AND PURITY, The robe was to be of one hue—uniform, peaceful; without glitter; something on which the eye could rest itself with a quiet satisfaction. And it was to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:32
An hole in the top of it. A mere circular hole for the head to go through, unaccompanied by a slit or longitudinal opening. In the midst of it. Midway between the two arm-holes. A binding of woven work round about the h…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:33
Upon the hem of it. Literally "at its edge" Pomegranates. Tassels in the shape of pomegranates, of three colours, seem to be intended. An ornament of the kind is common in Assyria, but not in Egypt. Bells of gold betwee…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:36-38
The Teachings of the Mitre. The main lesson taught by all the priestly garments is intensified in the mitre, namely, the need of holiness. "Without holiness no one shall see God; Holiness becometh thine house for ever."…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:36-38
EXPOSITION THE MITRE. Josephus tells us that the head-dress of the high priest was "not a conical cap, but a sort of crown, made of thick linen swathes" (Ant. Jud. 3.7, § 3). It was thus really a species of turban. The…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:36
Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold. The plate, though a mere ornament of the mitre, was, at once, its most conspicuous and its most significant feature. Placed directly in front, right over the forehead, and probably…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:37
Thou shalt put it on a blue lace. In Exodus 39:31, it is explained that the blue lace, or ribbon, was "tied to it," probably at either end. That it may be upon the mitre—i.e; "that it may be kept in place, and not slip…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 28:38
It shall be upon his forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the sacred things. Imperfection attaches to everything that man does; and even the sacrifices that the people offered to God required to be atoned for a…