Exodus 28:26

And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) Thou shalt make two rings—i.e., “two other rings.” These were to be put on the two lower corners of the breastplate, “in the border thereof,” or at its extreme edge.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

28:15-30 The chief ornament of the high priest, was the breastplate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously worked. The name of each tribe was graven in a precious stone, fixed in the breastplate, to signify how precious, in God's sight, believers are, and how honourable. How small and poor soever the tribe was, it was as a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest; thus are all the saints dear to Christ, however men esteem them. The high priest had the names of the tribes, both on his shoulders and on his breast, which reminds us of the power and the love with which our Lord Jesus pleads for those that are his. He not only bears them up in his arms with almighty strength, but he carries them in his bosom with tender affection. What comfort is this to us in all our addresses to God! The Urim and Thummim, by which the will of God was made known in doubtful cases, were put in this breastplate. Urim and Thummim signify light and integrity. There are many conjectures what these were; the most probable opinion seems to be, that they were the twelve precious stones in the high priest's breastplate. Now, Christ is our Oracle. By him God, in these last days, makes known himself and his mind to us, Heb 1:1,2; Joh 1:18. He is the true Light, the faithful Witness, the Truth itself, and from him we receive the Spirit of Truth, who leads into all truth.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

On the two ends of the breastplate - The extremities spoken of here, and in the next verse, must have been the upper corners of the square. The chains attached to them Exodus 28:25 suspended the breastplate from the ouches of the shoulder pieces Exodus 28:9, Exodus 28:11-12.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15-29. thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work—a very splendid and richly embroidered piece of brocade, a span square, and doubled, to enable it the better to bear the weight of the precious stones in it. There were twelve different stones, containing each the name of a tribe, and arranged in four rows, three in each. The Israelites had acquired a knowledge of the lapidary's art in Egypt, and the amount of their skill in cutting, polishing, and setting precious stones, may be judged of by the diamond forming one of the engraved ornaments on this breastplate. A ring was attached to each corner, through which the golden chains were passed to fasten this brilliant piece of jewelry at the top and bottom tightly on the breast of the ephod.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Upon the two ends, to wit, upon the lower ends, for there were other rings put upon the upper ends, Exodus 28:23-25.

In the side of the ephod inward, i.e. in the inner side of the ephod, under which these rings were hid; for the ephod was double, Exodus 28:16.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And thou shall make two rings of gold,.... Two other rings besides those before mentioned:

and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate; on the other two ends or corners of it:

in the border thereof which is in the side of the ephod inward: these were at the two lower ends of the breastplate, towards the ephod on the inside.

Geneva Study Bible

And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the {l} two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.

(l) Which are beneath.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26. upon the two ends, &c.] i.e. at the two lower corners of the pouch, on the inner side, towards the ephod, so that the rings were hidden from view.

26–28. Two rings of gold to be attached to the inner lower corners of the pouch, and tied by pieces of blue lace to two other rings of gold on the lower part of the shoulder-straps, to hold the pouch close to the ephod.

Exodus 28:26

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Two other golden rings were to be "put at the two ends of the choshen, at its edge, which is on the opposite side (see at Exodus 25:37) of the ephod inwards," i.e., at the two ends or corners of the lower border of the choshen, upon the inner side - the side turned towards the ephod.