Meaning of Exodus 28:11

This verse, Exodus 28:11, details a specific instruction for the creation of the priestly garments, namely the breastplate of the High Priest. The breastplate was a crucial piece of the High Priest's attire, adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The instruction to engrave the names of the sons of Israel on these stones, as a gem cutter engraves a seal, signifies the profound and permanent connection between God and His people, and the High Priest's role as a mediator bearing their names before Him. The act of engraving, a meticulous and artistic process, underscores the divine intention for each tribe to be remembered and honored in God's presence. The subsequent mounting in gold filigree settings further emphasizes the preciousness and divine value placed upon each individual tribe.

Context and Background

This directive is part of a larger set of instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, including the vestments of the High Priest, Aaron, and his sons. Exodus 28 meticulously outlines the design and purpose of these garments, which were intended to be holy and to represent the people of Israel before God. The breastplate, specifically, was to be made of woven material and set with precious stones. This verse focuses on the identification and commemoration of the tribes upon these stones.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Remembrance: The engraving of names signifies that God remembers His people. It is not a casual or temporary acknowledgment, but a permanent inscription, akin to a seal that authenticates and identifies.
• Representation and Mediation: The High Priest, wearing the breastplate, physically carried the names of all the tribes into the Most Holy Place. This symbolizes his role as a mediator, representing the entirety of Israel before God's presence.
• Preciousness of God's People: The use of precious stones and gold highlights the immense value God places on each tribe, and by extension, on every individual within them. They are not forgotten but are held in high esteem.
• Order and Structure: The specific arrangement and identification of each tribe (though not detailed in this single verse, it's implied by the context of twelve stones for twelve tribes) speaks to God's ordered and structured relationship with His people.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse points to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, and His intercessory work. Just as the earthly High Priest bore the names of Israel on his heart, Jesus bears the names of all believers before the Father. The permanence of the engraving reflects the enduring nature of Christ's advocacy for us. The precious stones can symbolize the redeemed, each unique and valuable in God's eyes. The act of bearing these names into God's presence speaks to the security and acceptance believers have through Christ's sacrifice and mediation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This instruction is foundational to understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system and the role of the priesthood. It foreshadows the coming of a perfect High Priest who would offer a perfect sacrifice. The concept of bearing the people's names before God is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in Jesus' prayer for His disciples in John 17, where He asks that they be kept in God's name. The tabernacle and its priesthood were a temporary model, pointing towards a more profound reality in Christ.

Analogies

• A Signet Ring: The engraving of names on precious stones, like a seal on a signet ring, signifies authority, authenticity, and a personal claim. Just as a ruler's seal identifies his decree, these names identified the tribes as belonging to God.
• A Family Heirloom: The breastplate, with its inscribed names, could be likened to a precious family heirloom passed down through generations, carrying the legacy and identity of the family. It signifies continuity and belonging.
• A War Memorial: While the context is different, a memorial bearing the names of soldiers honors their sacrifice and ensures they are not forgotten. The breastplate similarly ensures the tribes are remembered and honored before God.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 28:15-21: This passage details the construction and stones of the breastplate more fully, listing the twelve tribes and their corresponding stones, reinforcing the theme of comprehensive representation.
• Leviticus 8:7-9: This describes Aaron, the High Priest, putting on the breastplate, illustrating the practical application of the divine instruction.
• Hebrews 4:14-16: This New Testament passage speaks of Jesus as our great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, and who sympathizes with our weaknesses, urging believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence. This directly connects to the Old Testament priestly function.
• John 17:11-12: Jesus prays, "Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and none of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." This prayer highlights the idea of believers being kept and guarded in God's name, mirroring the High Priest bearing the tribes' names.
• Revelation 7:4-8: This passage lists the sealed servants of God from the twelve tribes, underscoring the enduring significance of the tribes and God's people throughout biblical history and into the eschatological vision.