Meaning of Exodus 39:6

This verse describes a crucial step in the creation of the High Priest's breastpiece, a sacred garment worn during his service in the tabernacle. The breastpiece was adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and these stones were set in gold and engraved with the names of the tribes. This act of engraving the names onto the stones signifies the deep connection and responsibility the High Priest had to the people he represented before God, ensuring that each tribe was symbolically carried and remembered in God's presence. The meticulous craftsmanship and the inclusion of each individual tribe's name underscore the importance of communal identity and divine remembrance within the Israelite covenant.

Context and Background

Exodus 39 details the construction of the priestly garments, particularly the ephod and its accompanying breastpiece, as instructed by God to Moses in earlier chapters. The onyx stones, mounted in gold filigree, were part of the twelve stones set into the breastpiece. These stones were arranged in four rows of three, with each stone bearing the engraved name of one of the twelve sons of Israel, thereby representing the entirety of the covenant people. This entire process was carried out by skilled artisans under divine guidance, emphasizing the sacred nature of the tabernacle and its furnishings.

Key Themes and Messages

• Representation and Intercession: The engraved names signify that the High Priest, by wearing the breastpiece, was carrying the identity and burdens of each tribe before God. This highlights the theme of priestly mediation and intercession on behalf of the people.
• Divine Remembrance: The engraving suggests that God would remember Israel through these stones. It speaks to God's faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant people.
• Unity and Identity: The breastpiece, with all twelve names, presented a unified Israel before God. It emphasized their shared identity as a chosen people.
• Sacred Craftsmanship: The use of precious materials and meticulous engraving points to the reverence and honor due to God's dwelling place and the sacred duties performed within it.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse prefigures Christ's role as our High Priest. Just as the High Priest carried the names of Israel on his heart, Jesus intercedes for believers, bearing their names and needs before the Father. The engraved names on the stones serve as a powerful reminder that God knows and remembers each of His people individually, a concept echoed in Jesus' statement that He knows His sheep (John 10:14). The breastpiece, therefore, symbolizes the intimate relationship and perpetual care God has for His redeemed community.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This imagery of representation and divine remembrance is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The establishment of the tabernacle and its priesthood, culminating in the detailed description of the breastpiece, lays the groundwork for the later development of the temple and the ultimate priestly sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The concept of bearing the people's names foreshadows the New Covenant where believers are "written on the palms of His hands" (Isaiah 49:16) and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, signifying an even deeper, more intimate connection.

Analogies

One analogy for the engraved names on the breastpiece is a father's locket containing the pictures of his children, which he keeps close to his heart as a constant reminder of his love and responsibility for them. Another analogy is a university's official seal, which, when stamped on a diploma, signifies the individual's official recognition and belonging to that institution. In this case, the engraved names on the stones served as God's seal of recognition and belonging for each tribe.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 28:15-21: This passage provides the full instructions for the breastpiece, including the arrangement and types of stones.
• Leviticus 8:7-8: This describes Aaron putting on the breastpiece as part of his consecration as High Priest.
• Isaiah 49:16: "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." This verse in the Old Testament prophetically speaks of God's intimate and permanent remembrance of His people, mirroring the engraved names.
• Hebrews 4:14-16: This New Testament passage directly connects Jesus to the role of High Priest, emphasizing His perfect intercession for humanity.
• Revelation 21:12-14: The description of the New Jerusalem also features twelve gates, named after the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve foundations, named after the twelve apostles, suggesting a continuity of divine remembrance and representation.