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EXODUS 28
page 77
Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to
support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze.
Light for the Tabernacle
20 “Command the people of Israel to bring you
pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep
the lamps burning continually. 21 The lampstand
will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner
curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant.*
Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a
permanent law for the people of Israel, and it
must be observed from generation to generation.
Clothing for the Priests
“Call for your brother, Aaron, and his
sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people
of Israel so they may minister to me and be my
priests. 2 Make sacred garments for Aaron that are
glorious and beautiful. 3 Instruct all the skilled
craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of
wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron
that will distinguish him as a priest set apart
for my service. 4 These are the garments they are
to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to
make these sacred garments for your brother,
Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me
as priests. 5 So give them fine linen cloth, gold
thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
28
Design of the Ephod
6 “The craftsmen must make the ephod of finely
woven linen and skillfully embroider it with gold
and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 7 It will
consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at
the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. 8 The
decorative sash will be made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold
and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
9 “Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them
the names of the tribes of Israel. 10 Six names will
be on each stone, arranged in the order of the
births of the original sons of Israel. 11 Engrave
these names on the two stones in the same
way a jeweler engraves a seal. Then mount the
stones in settings of gold filigree. 12 Fasten the
two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod
as a reminder that Aaron represents the people
of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his
shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he
goes before the Lord. 13 Make the settings of gold
filigree, 14 then braid two cords of pure gold and
attach them to the filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod.
27:21 Hebrew in the Tent of Meeting, outside the inner
curtain that is in front of the Testimony. See note on 25:16.
28:15 Hebrew a chestpiece for decision. 28:16 Hebrew 1 span
[23 centimeters]. 28:17 The identification of some of these
gemstones is uncertain. 28:29 Hebrew the chestpiece for
decision; also in 28:30. See 28:15.
Design of the Chestpiece
15 “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. 16 Make
the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded
to form a pouch nine inches* square. 17 Mount
four rows of gemstones* on it. The first row will
contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot,
and an emerald. 18 The second row will contain a
turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. 19 The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst. 20 The
fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an
onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will
be set in gold filigree. 21 Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the
name of that tribe will be engraved on it like
a seal.
22 “To attach the chestpiece to the ephod,
make braided cords of pure gold thread. 23 Then
make two gold rings and attach them to the top
corners of the chestpiece. 24 Tie the two gold
cords to the two rings on the chestpiece. 25 Tie
the other ends of the cords to the gold settings
on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 26 Then
make two more gold rings and attach them to
the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the
ephod. 27 And make two more gold rings and attach them to the front of the ephod, below the
shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the
decorative sash is fastened to the ephod.
28 Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece
to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This
will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod
above the decorative sash.
29 “In this way, Aaron will carry the names
of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece*
over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place.
• Holiness
E XODU S 28:1-2
The high priest, Israel’s worship leader,
was an imperfect man—so imperfect
that he would soon lead the people into
worshiping the golden calf at this very
mountain, the place of his consecration
(Exodus 32:1-35). God allows unholy
people to do holy work. Ordinary vessels
may carry holy things if the vessels are
consecrated to God and cleansed for his
use. Make sure you have gone to him
for the cleansing and instruction that will
prepare you to carry his Good News and
gifts to others.