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Exodus 39:11 Meaning, Context & Commentary

Read the Daily Bible VerseExodus 39:11 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.

Exodus 39:11 is a significant verse in the final chapters of the Book of Exodus, which detail the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, as well as the priestly garments. Exodus 39:11 is part of the description of the high priest’s attire, specifically focusing on the making of the breastplate that was worn by Aaron, the high priest of Israel. In this article, we will explore the context, meaning, and application of Exodus 39:11, offering insights into how this ancient scripture speaks to Christians today.

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The Context of Exodus 39:11 (KJV)

Exodus 39 is a continuation of the instructions and actions surrounding the construction of the Tabernacle, following the detailed commands that God gave to Moses in earlier chapters of Exodus. These chapters describe the building of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the clothing of the priests. The Tabernacle was designed as a portable sanctuary where God’s presence would dwell among His people. It represented God’s holiness, His desire for a relationship with Israel, and His willingness to be in the midst of His people.

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Exodus 39:11 falls within the description of the breastplate of the high priest. The breastplate was one of the key garments of the high priest, and it was to be worn over the ephod (another piece of priestly attire) and contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The breastplate also held the Urim and Thummim, sacred objects used to inquire of God’s will.

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Exodus 39:11 specifically addresses one part of the breastplate’s design: the stones that were set in the breastplate. The verse reads:

“And the second row, a jacinth, a sapphire, and a diamond.” (Exodus 39:11, KJV)

This verse is a brief yet profound description of the precious stones that were set in the breastplate. These stones held significant symbolism in the Old Testament context and have spiritual meaning for believers today.

The Exodus 39:11 Meaning

1. The Significance of the Stones

Exodus 39:11 lists three specific stones in the second row of the breastplate: jacinth, sapphire, and diamond. These stones were not chosen randomly, but rather each had symbolic meaning. They were part of a larger set of twelve stones, which were arranged in four rows of three stones, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacinth: Jacinth is a precious stone that is often described as reddish-brown or orange in color. The exact identity of the jacinth stone is not entirely certain, but it is generally believed to be a form of zircon or a similar gemstone. In biblical symbolism, jacinth is associated with beauty, value, and holiness, reflecting God’s sovereignty and the splendor of His people.

Sapphire: The sapphire is a blue gemstone, symbolizing purity and holiness. In the Bible, the color blue often represents heaven and divine revelation. The sapphire’s place in the second row of the breastplate emphasizes the high priest’s role in approaching God and seeking divine guidance on behalf of Israel.

Diamond: The diamond is a symbol of strength and endurance. While the exact type of diamond in biblical times may have been different from what we know today, the meaning behind it remains clear: the diamond symbolizes God’s unbreakable covenant with His people and the enduring nature of His promises.

2. Representation of the Tribes

Each of the stones in the breastplate represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. As the high priest wore the breastplate over his chest, he symbolically carried the names of the tribes before God. The stones in the second row (jacinth, sapphire, and diamond) were thus representations of specific tribes, each one symbolizing the beauty, purity, and strength of the people of Israel before the Lord.

The arrangement of the stones in rows is significant because it highlights the order and symmetry that God intended for His people. God is a God of order, and this order was reflected not only in the physical structure of the Tabernacle but also in the arrangement of the priestly garments and their sacred elements.

3. Holiness and Divine Presence

The stones were set in gold settings, which signified the value and holiness of the stones themselves. Gold, in biblical symbolism, represents purity, divinity, and the eternal nature of God’s presence. The high priest, in wearing the breastplate with these stones, was constantly reminded of the holiness of God, and his role as a representative of the people before the Lord.

Exodus 39:11 Application in Life

Exodus 39:11, while describing a historical practice related to the high priest’s attire, contains spiritual truths that have practical applications for believers today. These applications can be drawn from the symbolic meanings of the stones in the breastplate and their relationship to God’s people.

1. Representing Others in Prayer

Just as the high priest wore the breastplate with the names of the twelve tribes over his heart, Christians are called to represent others before God, particularly through intercessory prayer. The high priest bore the responsibility of interceding for the nation of Israel, and in a similar way, we are called to intercede for others, lifting up their needs, struggles, and burdens before God.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1, KJV)

As believers in Christ, we too are called to carry the burdens of others in prayer. Whether it is for family members, friends, or the wider body of Christ, our role as priests in the New Covenant is to intercede on behalf of others, remembering them before God and seeking His will for their lives.

2. The Holiness of Representation

The stones on the high priest’s breastplate were a constant reminder of God’s holiness. Similarly, Christians are called to represent God’s holiness to the world around us. The church, as the body of Christ, is to be a beacon of light and purity, reflecting the holiness of God in our words, actions, and attitudes.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” (1 Peter 1:15, KJV)

The holiness of the high priest’s garments, including the breastplate, reminds us that our lives must reflect God’s holiness. As we interact with others, we are to reflect the purity, beauty, and strength of God’s character, showing His love and righteousness in all that we do.

3. The Strength of God’s Covenant

The inclusion of the diamond in the second row of the breastplate emphasizes the strength and endurance of God’s covenant with His people. This reminds Christians today that God’s promises are unbreakable and that His faithfulness is a source of strength in our lives.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

God’s covenant with His people is an enduring promise that gives us hope and security. Just as the high priest represented Israel before God, we are called to trust in God’s promises and live in the strength and security that comes from knowing that His word is true and unshakable.

Comparison with Other Biblical Texts

1. 1 Peter 2:9 – The Priesthood of All Believers

In Exodus 39, the high priest bears the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his chest as he represents them before God. In the New Testament, believers in Christ are also called a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). As Christians, we have the privilege and responsibility to represent others before God, just as the high priest did. This royal priesthood is not confined to one individual or group but is a calling extended to all believers, emphasizing our responsibility to intercede on behalf of others.

2. Hebrews 7:25 – Christ as Our High Priest

Exodus 39 points to the work of the high priest, who interceded for the people of Israel. In the New Testament, Christ is described as our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us before the Father:

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, KJV)

While the high priest in Exodus bore the names of the tribes on his chest, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, bears our names before God, continually interceding for us. The symbolism of the high priest’s garments in Exodus finds its ultimate fulfillment in the intercessory role of Christ.

3. Revelation 21:12-14 – The Names on the Gates of the New Jerusalem

In Revelation, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates of the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the eternal remembrance of God’s people. Just as the high priest carried the names of the tribes on his breastplate, in the new creation, God will eternally remember His people, and their names will be inscribed in the heavenly city.

Conclusion

Exodus 39:11, though a brief verse, carries profound theological significance. The high priest’s breastplate, adorned with precious stones, symbolizes the holiness of God, the intercessory role of the priest, and the enduring strength of God’s covenant with His people. For modern-day Christians, the application of this verse is clear: we are called to intercede for others, to represent God’s holiness in the world, and to trust in the unbreakable covenant God has made with His people. Just as the high priest bore the names of Israel before God, we, too, are called to bear one another’s burdens and live in the strength of God’s eternal promises.

Exodus 39:11 Commentary

Exodus 39:11 describes the second row of stones in the high priest’s breastplate: jacinth, sapphire, and diamond. These stones, representing the tribes of Israel, highlight the beauty, purity, and strength of God’s people before Him. The verse underscores the high priest’s role as a representative of the people, bearing their names as he intercedes for them before God. The stones also point to deeper spiritual truths, symbolizing the holiness and enduring strength of God’s covenant with His people.

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