9 "You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel , 10 six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone , according to their birth . 11 "As a jeweler e engraves a signet , you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel ; you shall set e them in filigree settings of gold .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 28:9-11
Commentary on Exodus 28:6-14
(Read Exodus 28:6-14)
This richly-wrought ephod was the outmost garment of the high priest; plain linen ephods were worn by the inferior priests. It was a short coat without sleeves, fastened close to the body with a girdle. The shoulder-pieces were buttoned together with precious stones set in gold, one on each shoulder, on which were engraven the names of the children of Israel. Thus Christ, our High Priest, presents his people before the Lord for a memorial. As Christ's coat had no seam, but was woven from the top throughout, so it was with the ephod. The golden bells on this ephod, by their preciousness and pleasant sound, well represent the good profession that the saints make, and the pomegranates the fruit they bring forth.