8 He made the breastpiece , the work of a skillful workman , like the workmanship of the ephod : of gold and of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen . 9 It was square ; they made the breastpiece folded double , a span long and a span wide when folded double . 10 And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby , topaz , and emerald ; 11 and the second row , a turquoise , a sapphire and a diamond ; 12 and the third row , a jacinth , an agate , and an amethyst ; 13 and the fourth row , a beryl , an onyx , and a jasper . They were set in gold filigree settings when they were mounted . 14 The stones were corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel ; they were twelve e , corresponding to their names , engraved with the engravings of a signet , each with its name for the twelve e tribes . 15 They made on the breastpiece chains like cords , of twisted cordage work in pure gold . 16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings , and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece . 17 Then they put the two gold cords in the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece . 18 They put the other two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it. 19 They made two gold rings and placed them on the two ends of the breastpiece , on its inner edge which was next e to the ephod . 20 Furthermore, they made two gold rings and placed them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod , on the front of it, close to the place where it joined , above e the woven band of the ephod . 21 They bound the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord , so that it would be on the woven band of the ephod , and that the breastpiece would not come loose from the ephod , just as the Lord had commanded 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.