Exodus 28:15–43

The Breastplate—Exodus 39:8–21

¹⁵“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. ¹⁶Fold it in half so that it’s 9 inches square. ¹⁷Fasten four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row put red quartz, topaz, and emerald. ¹⁸In the second row put turquoise, sapphire, and crystal. ¹⁹In the third row put jacinth, agate, and amethyst. ²⁰In the fourth row put beryl, onyx, and gray quartz. Mount them in gold settings. ²¹The stones correspond to the 12 sons of Israel, by name, each stone engraved (like a signet ring) with the name of one of the 12 tribes. 

²²“For the breastplate make chains out of pure gold, twisted like ropes. ²³Make two gold rings for the breastplate. Attach them to the two ⸤top⸥ corners of the breastplate. ²⁴Then fasten the two gold ropes to the rings at the ⸤top⸥ corners of the breastplate. ²⁵Fasten the other ends of the ropes to the two settings on the shoulder straps of the ephod ⸤so that the breastplate hangs⸥ in front of it. ²⁶Make two gold rings, and fasten them to the other two corners of the breastplate on the inside edge next to the ephod. ²⁷Make two ⸤more⸥ gold rings, and fasten them to the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front of the ephod. This will be close to the seam just above the belt of the ephod. ²⁸Then the breastplate should be fastened by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a violet cord. This will attach it just above the belt of the ephod and will hold the breastplate in place. 

²⁹“Whenever Aaron goes into the holy place, he will be carrying the names of the sons of Israel over his heart as a constant reminder in the Lord’s presence. He must do this by wearing the breastplate for decision-making. ³⁰Put the Urim and Thummim^ainto the breastplate for decision-making. They, too, will be over Aaron’s heart when he comes into the Lord’s presence. In this way whenever he’s in the Lord’s presence, Aaron will always be carrying over his heart the ⸤means for determining the Lord’s⸥ decisions for the Israelites. 

Other Clothes for Aaron and His Sons—Exodus 39:22–31

³¹“Make the robe that is worn with the ephod entirely of violet material. ³²Make an opening for the head in the center with a reinforced edge (like a leather collar) all around it to keep it from tearing. ³³All around the hem of the robe make pomegranates of violet, purple, and bright red yarn with gold bells in between—³⁴a gold bell alternating with a pomegranate all around the hem of the robe. ³⁵Aaron must wear it when he serves as priest. The sound of the bells must be heard when he comes into and goes out of the Lord’s presence in the holy place so that he won’t die. 

³⁶“Make a flower-shaped medallion out of pure gold, and engrave on it (as on a signet ring): Holy to the Lord. ³⁷Fasten a violet cord to it, and tie it so that it’s on the front of the turban. ³⁸It will be on Aaron’s forehead. He’s the one to be blamed for anything done wrong when the Israelites bring their holy offerings—whatever their gifts may be. The medallion must always be on Aaron’s forehead so that the Lord will accept their offerings. 

³⁹“Make the specially woven inner robe of fine linen. Make the turban of fine linen, but the belt should be embroidered with colored yarn. 

⁴⁰“Also make linen robes, belts, and turbans for Aaron’s sons. These clothes will give them dignity and honor. ⁴¹Put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and set them apart to serve me as priests. 

⁴²“Make linen undergarments to cover them down to their thighs. ⁴³Aaron and his sons must wear them when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to serve as priests in the holy place. Then they will be blameless and won’t die. 

“This is a permanent law for him and his descendants.”