Exodus 28:13 Study Bible: You shall make settings of gold,

◄ Exodus 28:13 ►

Fashion gold filigree settings

You are to make
This phrase indicates a direct command from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of obedience in the construction of the priestly garments. The Hebrew verb used here, "עָשָׂה" (asah), means to do, make, or create. It underscores the active role that the Israelites were to take in following God's precise instructions. This command reflects the broader biblical theme of divine-human cooperation, where God provides the blueprint, and His people are called to execute His will with diligence and care.

filigree settings
The term "filigree" refers to delicate and intricate ornamental work made from fine gold wire. In Hebrew, the word "מִשְׁבְּצוֹת" (mishbetsot) is used, which can be translated as "settings" or "engravings." This craftsmanship highlights the beauty and precision required in the service of God, symbolizing the care and reverence that should be present in worship. The use of filigree settings in the priestly garments signifies the value and sacredness of the priestly office, as well as the beauty of holiness that should characterize those who serve God.

of gold
Gold, in the ancient Near Eastern context, was a symbol of wealth, purity, and divinity. The Hebrew word "זָהָב" (zahav) is used here, denoting the precious metal that was often associated with royalty and the divine. In the tabernacle and its furnishings, gold represents the glory and majesty of God. The use of gold in the priestly garments signifies the high calling and the divine nature of the priestly ministry. It serves as a reminder that those who serve God are to reflect His glory and purity in their lives and service.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The instructions for the priestly garments were specifically for him and his sons.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to be represented by the high priest in the tabernacle.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the law and the detailed instructions for the tabernacle and priestly garments.

5. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, where the high priest would serve.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
The detailed instructions for the priestly garments highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. Just as Moses followed God's instructions precisely, we are called to obey God's Word in our lives.

Symbolism of Gold
Gold in the priestly garments symbolizes purity, value, and divinity. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness and value in our conduct and character.

Role of the High Priest
The high priest served as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This foreshadows Christ's role as our ultimate mediator, reminding us of the access we have to God through Him.

Attention to Detail in Worship
The intricate design of the priestly garments teaches us that God values detail and excellence in worship. Our worship should be intentional and reflect the glory of God.

Community Representation
The high priest represented the entire community before God. As Christians, we are called to intercede for others and represent Christ to the world.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the detailed description of the priestly garments in Exodus 28 reflect the character of God?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience seen in the making of the priestly garments to our daily lives?

3. How does the role of the high priest in the Old Testament enhance our understanding of Jesus as our High Priest?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that our worship is intentional and reflects the glory of God?

5. How can we, as believers, effectively represent Christ to those around us, similar to how the high priest represented the Israelites before God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 39:6-7
This passage describes the actual making of the ephod and its settings, showing the fulfillment of God's instructions.

Leviticus 8:7-9
Details the consecration of Aaron and his sons, where the priestly garments, including those with gold settings, are put into use.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Connects the role of the high priest in the Old Testament to Jesus as our great High Priest, emphasizing the importance of the priestly role and its fulfillment in Christ.

Sermons

Aaron in His Priesthood the Type of Jesus	J. Urquhart	Exodus 28:1-38
The Priests and Their Garments	J. Orr	Exodus 28:1-43
The Ephod	J. M. Gibson, D. D.	Exodus 28:6-14
The Ephod	G. Rodgers.	Exodus 28:6-14

People

Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, Shoham

Places

Mount Sinai

Topics

Embroidered, Enclosures, Filigree, Frames, Gold, Hast, Ouches, Settings, Twisted

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 28:1-43

1065 God, holiness of

Exodus 28:6-13

Exodus 28:9-21

Exodus 28:11-15

Exodus 28:13-14

Library

Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
'Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it ... HOLINESS TO THE LORD.'--EXODUS xxviii. 36. 'In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.'--ZECH. xiv. 20. 'His name shall be in their foreheads.'--REV. xxii. 4. You will have perceived my purpose in putting these three widely separated texts together. They all speak of inscriptions, and they are all obviously connected with each other. The first of them comes from the ancient times of the institution …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Names on Aaron's Breastplate
Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place.'--EXODUS xxviii. 12,29. Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, 'Holiness to the Lord,' and in those others upon his breastplate and his shoulder. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.'--Ex. xxviii. 36, 38. God's house was to be the dwelling-place of His Holiness, the place where He was to reveal Himself; as the Holy One, not to be approached but with …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Edwards -- Spiritual Light
Jonathan Edwards, the New England divine and metaphysician, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1703. He was graduated early from Yale College, where he had given much attention to philosophy, became tutor of his college, and at nineteen began to preach. His voice and manner did not lend themselves readily to pulpit oratory, but his clear, logical, and intense presentation of the truth produced a profound and permanent effect upon his hearers. He wrote what were considered the most important …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
The ruler should always be pure in thought, inasmuch as no impurity ought to pollute him who has undertaken the office of wiping away the stains of pollution in the hearts of others also; for the hand that would cleanse from dirt must needs be clean, lest, being itself sordid with clinging mire, it soil whatever it touches all the more. For on this account it is said through the prophet, Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isai. lii. 11). For they bear the vessels of the Lord who undertake, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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