Exodus 28:9-21 ▼

9 You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the [twelve] sons of Israel,

10 six of their names on one stone and the remaining six names on the other stone, arranged in the order of their births.

11 With the work of a jeweler, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel. You shall have them set in filigree [settings] of gold.

12 You shall put the two stones on the [two] shoulder pieces of the ephod [of the high priest], as memorial stones for Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

13 You shall make filigree [settings] of gold,

14 and you are to make two chains of pure gold like twisted cords, and fasten the corded chains to the settings.

15 “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.

16 The breastpiece shall be square and folded double; a span [about nine inches] in length and a span in width.

17 You shall mount on it four rows of stones: the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald;

18 the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

19 the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree.

21 The [engraved] stones shall be twelve, according to the names of [the twelve tribes of] the sons of Israel; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes.