8 The priest's bag was designed like the ephod, of the best linen worked with gold and blue and purple and red. 9 It was square and folded in two, as long and as wide as the stretch of a man's hand; 10 And on it they put four lines of stones: in the first line was a carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald; 11 In the second, a ruby, a sapphire, and an onyx; 12 In the third, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 In the fourth, a topaz, a beryl, and a jasper; they were fixed in twisted frames of gold. 14 There were twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel; on every one the name of one of the tribes of Israel was cut, like the cutting of a stamp. 15 And on the bag they put gold chains, twisted like cords. 16 And they made two gold frames and two gold rings, the rings being fixed to the ends of the priest's bag; 17 And they put the two twisted chains on the two rings at the ends of the priest's bag; 18 And the other two ends of the chains were joined to the two frames and fixed to the front of the ephod over the arm-holes. 19 And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two lower ends of the bag, on the inner side nearest to the ephod. 20 And two other gold rings were put on the front of the ephod, over the arm-holes, at the join, and over the worked band. 21 And the rings on the bag were fixed to the rings of the ephod by a blue cord, keeping it in place over the band, so that the bag might not get loose, as the Lord gave orders to Moses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 39:8-21
Commentary on Exodus 39:1-31
(Read Exodus 39:1-31)
The priests' garments were rich and splendid. The church in its infancy was thus taught by shadows of good things to come; but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel. Christ is our great High Priest. When he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, girded himself with resolution to go through the undertaking, took charge of all God's spiritual Israel, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them to his Father. And he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints, Revelation 19:8.