Exodus 28:15 You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

◄ Exodus 28:15 ►

New International Version
“Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

New Living Translation
“Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God. Make it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

English Standard Version
“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it.

Berean Standard Bible
You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

King James Bible
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

New King James Version
“You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled embroiderer; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen you shall make it.

NASB 1995
“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it.

NASB 1977
“And you shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful designer; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it.

Amplified Bible
“You are to make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled and talented craftsman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and of fine twisted linen.

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to make an embroidered breastpiece for making decisions. Make it with the same workmanship as the ephod; make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to make an embroidered breastpiece for making decisions. Make it with the same workmanship as the ephod; make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Contemporary English Version
From the same costly material make a breastpiece for the high priest to use in finding out what I want my people to do.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the cunning workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Make the breastplate for decision-making as creatively as you make the ephod. Make it out of gold, violet, purple, and bright red yarn and out of fine linen yarn.

Good News Translation
"Make a breastpiece for the High Priest to use in determining God's will. It is to be made of the same materials as the ephod and with similar embroidery.

International Standard Version
"You are to make a breast piece to be worn by the high priest when he makes legal decisions. It is to be skillfully worked, made like the work of the ephod from gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material, and from fine woven linen.

Majority Standard Bible
You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

NET Bible
"You are to make a breastpiece for use in making decisions, the work of an artistic designer; you are to make it in the same fashion as the ephod; you are to make it of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt make the breast-plate of judgment with curious work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen shalt thou make it.

World English Bible
“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have made a breastplate of judgment, the work of a designer; you make it according to the work of the ephod; you make it of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen;

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou hast made a breastplate of judgment, work of a designer; according to the work of the ephod thou dost make it; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen thou dost make it;

Smith's Literal Translation
And make the ornament of judgment a work of the artificer; according to the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; gold, cerulean purple, red purple, and double scarlet, and byssus, thou shalt make it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt make the rational of judgment with embroidered work of divers colours, according to the workmanship of the ephod, of gold, violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine twisted linen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise, you shall make the breastplate of judgment, wrought with diverse colors according to weaving of the ephod: of gold, hyacinth and purple, and twice-dyed scarlet, and fine twisted linen.

New American Bible
The breastpiece of decision you shall also have made, embroidered like the ephod with gold thread and violet, purple, and scarlet yarn on cloth of fine linen twined.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work; you shall make it in the style of the ephod; of gold, of blue and purple and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen you shall make it.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall make the breastplate of judgment with the work of a craftsman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue and of purple and of scarlet material and fine twined linen.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And make the breastplate of judgment the work of a craftsman, as the work of the ephod; make it gold and blue fringes and purple and dye of scarlet and make it fine woven white linen.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt make the oracle of judgment, the work of the embroiderer: in keeping with the ephod, thou shalt make it of gold, and blue and purple, and spun scarlet, and fine linen spun.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Breastpiece
15You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen. 16It must be square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 8:7-9
He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. / Moses also put the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the holy diadem, on the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded him.

Exodus 39:8-14
He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen. / It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide. / And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; ...

Numbers 27:21
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1 Chronicles 15:27
Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Ezekiel 28:13
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation.

Zechariah 3:4-5
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.

Hebrews 5:1-4
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...

Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 8:1-5
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, / and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. / And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. ...

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

Revelation 1:13
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shall you make it.

the breastplate

Exodus 28:4,30
And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office…

Exodus 39:8
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.

Leviticus 8:8
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.

after

Exodus 28:6
And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

Exodus 26:1
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

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Bag Blue Breastpiece Breastplate Breast-Plate Cunning Curious Decisions Designed Ephod Fashion Fine Gold Judgment Linen Making Material Priest's Purple Scarlet Skilful Skilled Skillful Stuff Twined Twisted Work Workman

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Exodus 28

1. Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
2. Holy garments are appointed
6. The ephod and girdle
15. The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
30. The Urim and Thummim
31. The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
36. The plate of the mitre
39. The embroidered coat
40. The garments for Aaron's sons

Berean Study Bible

You are to fashion
The Hebrew root for "fashion" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to make, do, or create. This word emphasizes the intentional and careful creation of the breastpiece, highlighting the importance of craftsmanship in worship. The act of fashioning is not merely functional but is an act of devotion, reflecting the divine order and beauty that God desires in His service.

a breastpiece
The breastpiece, or "חֹשֶׁן" (choshen) in Hebrew, was a sacred garment worn by the high priest. It was not just an ornamental piece but a significant part of the priestly attire, symbolizing the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people. The breastpiece held the Urim and Thummim, tools for divine decision-making, underscoring its importance in seeking God's guidance.

for making decisions
This phrase indicates the purpose of the breastpiece, which was to discern God's will. The Hebrew term "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat) can be translated as "judgment" or "decision," reflecting the breastpiece's role in rendering divine judgments. It served as a tangible reminder of God's sovereignty and the need for His guidance in the affairs of His people.

the work of a skilled craftsman
The phrase highlights the requirement for expertise and artistry in creating the breastpiece. The Hebrew word "חָכָם" (chakam) means wise or skillful, indicating that those who crafted the breastpiece were endowed with wisdom and skill from God. This reflects the biblical principle that all talents and skills are gifts from God, to be used for His glory.

You are to make it like the ephod
The ephod was another priestly garment, and the breastpiece was to be made in a similar manner, suggesting a unity and coherence in the priestly attire. The ephod, like the breastpiece, was a symbol of the priest's role and responsibility. The connection between the two garments underscores the comprehensive nature of the priestly duties.

of gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen
These materials were not only valuable but also symbolically significant. Gold represents divinity and purity, while blue often symbolizes heaven and divine revelation. Purple, a color of royalty, signifies the kingly aspect of the priesthood, and scarlet represents sacrifice and atonement. Finely spun linen denotes purity and righteousness. Together, these materials reflect the holiness and majesty of the priestly office and the divine nature of the service to God.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) The breastplate of judgment.--The word khoshen does not really signify "breastplate," but "ornament." It was the main ornament of the priestly attire. It was called "the ornament of judgment" on account of its containing the Urim and Thummim, whereby God's "judgments" were made known to His people. (See Note on Exodus 28:30.)

With cunning work.--Rather, of the work of the weaver. (Comp. Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 28:6.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - The breast-plate. As the khoshen was to be worn upon the breast (ver. 29), this name is appropriate; but it is not a translation of khoshen. Of judgment. See the introductory paragraph to this section. Kalisch translates "the breast-plate of decision." It was to be made, so far as its main fabric was concerned, of exactly the same materials as the ephod. See ver. 6.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You are also to make
וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ (wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a breastpiece
חֹ֤שֶׁן (ḥō·šen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2833: A pocket, rich, the gorget of the highpriest

of judgment
מִשְׁפָּט֙ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

with the same workmanship
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה (ma·‘ă·śêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

as the ephod.
אֵפֹ֖ד (’ê·p̄ōḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 646: A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image

Construct
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

it
אֹתֽוֹ׃ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with gold,
זָ֠הָב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

with blue,
תְּכֵ֨לֶת (tə·ḵê·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

purple,
וְאַרְגָּמָ֜ן (wə·’ar·gā·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 713: Purple, red-purple

and scarlet yarn,
וְתוֹלַ֧עַת (wə·ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8438: The crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

and finely spun
מָשְׁזָ֖ר (mā·šə·zār)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7806: To be twisted

linen.
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ (wə·šêš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8336: Bleached stuff, white linen, marble

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OT Law: Exodus 28:15 You shall make a breastplate of judgment (Exo. Ex)