For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold. For the breastpieceThe "breastpiece" refers to the sacred garment worn by the High Priest of Israel, specifically designed for Aaron and his descendants. In Hebrew, the term is "חֹשֶׁן" (choshen), which signifies a piece of clothing that is both functional and symbolic. The breastpiece was not merely decorative; it held the Urim and Thummim, tools for divine decision-making. This highlights the importance of the High Priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, emphasizing the need for purity and holiness in approaching God. make braided chains
The instruction to "make braided chains" indicates the craftsmanship and attention to detail required in the construction of the priestly garments. The Hebrew word for "braided" is "שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת" (sharsherot), which implies a complex intertwining, symbolizing strength and unity. This craftsmanship reflects the intricate relationship between God and His people, where every detail matters, and unity is essential for the community's spiritual health. of pure gold
"Pure gold" signifies the highest quality and value, representing the divine nature and glory of God. Gold, in biblical times, was a symbol of wealth, purity, and kingship. The use of pure gold in the priestly garments underscores the sacredness of the High Priest's duties and the holiness required to serve in God's presence. It reminds believers of the incorruptible nature of God's kingdom and the call to pursue purity in their own lives. cord
The term "cord" in this context refers to the method of attaching the breastpiece securely to the ephod, another part of the High Priest's attire. The Hebrew word "עֲבוֹת" (avot) can also mean a thick rope or binding, symbolizing the strength and permanence of the connection between the breastpiece and the ephod. This connection signifies the unbreakable bond between God and His chosen people, as well as the enduring nature of His promises. It serves as a reminder of the steadfastness required in faith and the commitment to uphold God's commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai. 2. AaronMoses' brother, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The breastpiece was part of his priestly attire. 3. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were given the Law and instructions for worship, including the design of the priestly garments. 4. Mount SinaiThe place where God delivered the Law and detailed instructions for the tabernacle and priestly garments to Moses. 5. BreastpieceA sacred garment worn by the high priest, symbolizing judgment and the presence of God among His people. Teaching Points Symbolism of PurityThe use of pure gold in the chains signifies the purity and holiness required in approaching God. As believers, we are called to pursue holiness in our lives. Obedience to God's InstructionsThe detailed instructions for the breastpiece highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. We are reminded to follow God's Word carefully in our daily lives. Role of the High PriestThe breastpiece was a key part of the high priest's attire, symbolizing his role as mediator. This foreshadows Christ's role as our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf. Unity and StrengthThe braided chains represent unity and strength, reminding us of the importance of being united in faith and strong in our commitment to God. God's Presence and GuidanceThe breastpiece, with its Urim and Thummim, was used for divine guidance. We are encouraged to seek God's guidance in our decisions and trust in His presence in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the use of pure gold in the breastpiece's chains reflect the nature of our relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate obedience to God's instructions in our daily lives, similar to the Israelites' obedience in crafting the priestly garments? 3. How does the role of the high priest in the Old Testament point to the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest? 4. What are some practical ways we can promote unity and strength within our faith communities, as symbolized by the braided chains? 5. How can we seek and discern God's guidance in our lives, drawing parallels to the use of the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 39:15This verse describes the fulfillment of the command in Exodus 28:22, showing the obedience of the Israelites in crafting the priestly garments. Leviticus 8:8This verse details the consecration of Aaron and his sons, where the breastpiece is placed on Aaron, signifying his role as high priest. Hebrews 4:14-16This passage connects the high priestly role of Aaron to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us before God. Revelation 1:13Describes Jesus in priestly attire, symbolizing His eternal priesthood and His role as mediator between God and humanity. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, ShohamPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Bag, Bands, Braided, Breastpiece, Breastplate, Breast-plate, Chains, Cordage, Cords, Ends, Fixed, Gold, Hast, Laced, Plaited, Priest's, Pure, Rope, Thick, Twisted, Wreathed, WreathenDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 28:1-43 1065 God, holiness of Exodus 28:15-30 5140 breasts
7320 breastpiece Exodus 28:22-25 5251 chains Exodus 28:22-27 4333 gold 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 ScriptureThe 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 Links Exodus 28:22 NIVExodus 28:22 NLTExodus 28:22 ESVExodus 28:22 NASBExodus 28:22 KJV
Exodus 28:22 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
