Context No. 3106 of 4322 · Exodus

Exodus 39:6-21: in context

6They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses. 8He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double. 10They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row; 11and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 12and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings. 14The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes. 15They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 16They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front. 19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward. 20They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 21They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as the LORD commanded Moses.

This describes the making of the high priest's ephod and breastpiece. Two onyx stones on the shoulders are engraved with the names of Israel's tribes, as stones of memorial. And the breastpiece is set with twelve precious stones, one for each tribe, each engraved with a tribe's name, bound securely over the priest's heart.

The striking thing is where the names are carried. Engraved on the stones on his shoulders and on the twelve gems over his heart, the high priest bore the names of all Israel into the presence of God, on his shoulders and over his heart. When he went before God, he carried the whole people with him, their names on his strength and close to his heart. It is a picture of intercession, and it points ahead to our great High Priest, who carries our names before God, near his own heart. We are never forgotten before God, because the Priest who represents us bears our names into the holy place.

Do I rest in the truth that my great High Priest carries my name before God, on his shoulders and over his heart?

Sources

Exodus 39:7: "He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel."
Exodus 28:29: "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel... on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place."
Hebrews 7:25: "He lives forever to make intercession for them."