Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; New Living Translation The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. English Standard Version and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; Berean Standard Bible in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; King James Bible And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. New King James Version the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; New American Standard Bible and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; NASB 1995 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; NASB 1977 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; Legacy Standard Bible and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; Amplified Bible the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; Christian Standard Bible the second row, a turquoise, a lapis lazuli, and a diamond; Holman Christian Standard Bible the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; American Standard Version and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; Contemporary English Version in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; English Revised Version and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; GOD'S WORD® Translation In the second row put turquoise, sapphire, and crystal. Good News Translation in the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; International Standard Version the second row ruby, sapphire, and crystal; NET Bible and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; New Heart English Bible and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; Webster's Bible Translation And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblein the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; World English Bible and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the second row [is] emerald, sapphire, and diamond; Young's Literal Translation and the second row is emerald, sapphire, and diamond; Smith's Literal Translation The second row, a carbuncle, sapphire, and onyx. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn the second a carbuncle, a sapphire and a jasper. Catholic Public Domain Version In the second, there shall be a garnet, a sapphire, and a jasper. New American Bible in the second row, a garnet, a sapphire, and a beryl; New Revised Standard Version and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a moonstone; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a jasper. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And another row, a garnet and sapphire and an onyx. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald; Brenton Septuagint Translation And the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a jasper. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Breastpiece…17And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; 18in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;… Cross References Revelation 21:19-20 The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Ezekiel 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. Isaiah 54:11-12 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires. / I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. 1 Chronicles 29:2 Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance. Song of Solomon 5:14 His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires. 1 Kings 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. 2 Chronicles 9:10-11 (The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones. / The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.) Job 28:16-19 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. / Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it, nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it. / Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. ... Genesis 2:12 And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there. 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, Revelation 4:3 The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. Revelation 17:4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. Isaiah 60:17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. Daniel 10:5-6 I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. / His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. Treasury of Scripture And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. emerald. Exodus 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate. sapphire Exodus 24:10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. Job 28:6,16 The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold… Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. diamond Jeremiah 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Jump to Previous Carbuncle Diamond Emerald Onyx Row Ruby Sapphire Second TurquoiseJump to Next Carbuncle Diamond Emerald Onyx Row Ruby Sapphire Second TurquoiseExodus 28 1. Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office2. Holy garments are appointed 6. The ephod and girdle 15. The breast-plate with twelve precious stones 30. The Urim and Thummim 31. The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells 36. The plate of the mitre 39. The embroidered coat 40. The garments for Aaron's sons in the second row The breastpiece of judgment, worn by the High Priest, contained four rows of stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The second row signifies the continuation of the divine order and the importance of each tribe in the covenant community. The arrangement of stones reflects God's meticulous design and the value He places on His people. a turquoise a sapphire and a diamond Persons / Places / Events 1. High PriestThe instructions in Exodus 28 are given for the garments of the High Priest, who served as the mediator between God and the Israelites. The breastplate, which includes the stones mentioned, is part of his sacred attire. 2. Breastplate of Judgment This is the specific garment being described. It is a piece of the High Priest's attire that holds twelve stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. 3. Israelite Tribes The twelve stones on the breastplate symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying their unity and representation before God. 4. Tabernacle The context of these instructions is the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among His people during their wilderness journey. 5. Moses The leader of the Israelites who received these detailed instructions from God on Mount Sinai. Teaching Points Symbolism of StonesEach stone on the breastplate represents a tribe of Israel, emphasizing the importance of each individual in the community of God's people. This teaches us about the value of unity and diversity within the body of Christ. God's Attention to Detail The specific instructions for the High Priest's garments reflect God's concern for order and beauty in worship. This encourages us to approach worship with reverence and intentionality. Representation Before God The High Priest bore the names of the tribes on his heart, symbolizing intercession. As believers, we are called to intercede for others, carrying them in prayer before God. Christ as Our High Priest The Old Testament priesthood points to Jesus, our eternal High Priest. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of Christ's sacrifice and His ongoing intercession for us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 28:18?2. What is the significance of the stones listed in Exodus 28:18 for the ephod? 3. How do these stones reflect God's design for the priestly garments? 4. What other biblical passages mention the use of precious stones in worship? 5. How can we apply the concept of beauty in worship today? 6. Why is attention to detail important in serving God, as seen in Exodus 28:18? 7. What is the significance of the stones mentioned in Exodus 28:18 for the priestly garments? 8. How does Exodus 28:18 reflect the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in worship? 9. Why were specific stones chosen for the breastplate in Exodus 28:18? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 28? 11. What do birthstones symbolize in the Bible? 12. What is the Bible's perspective on crystals? 13. Exodus 28:15-21: Could the precise identification and sourcing of twelve specific gemstones align historically with the Israelites' environment and trading networks? 14. Exodus 28:2-5: Where did nomadic Israelites supposedly in the desert acquire the costly fabrics, precious stones, and gold for such elaborate garments? What Does Exodus 28:18 Mean a turquoise• Exodus 28:18 places this vivid stone first in the second row of the high priest’s breastpiece: “the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond”. • Literally, one of the twelve precious gems was set in gold and fastened over Aaron’s heart (Exodus 28:29); nothing symbolic can replace the fact that God ordered an actual turquoise to be there. • Turquoise carries a sky-blue hue that naturally points upward, reminding Israel of the God who dwells in the heavens (Psalm 115:3). • In Numbers 15:37-41 God later commanded a blue cord on each tassel “so you will remember all My commandments.” The repetition of blue tones links the stone and the tassels as visual calls to obedience. • When the high priest bore Israel’s names before the LORD (Exodus 28:30), the turquoise hinted that every tribe was invited into heavenly fellowship—foreshadowing the believer’s position “seated with Him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6). • Revelation 21:19-20 lists similar colored stones in the New Jerusalem’s foundations, showing that what was on Aaron’s heart will one day surround God’s people forever. a sapphire • The middle gem of the row, the sapphire, appears elsewhere at profound moments of divine revelation. When Moses, Aaron, and the elders saw God on Sinai, “under His feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire” (Exodus 24:10). • By placing a sapphire over the high priest’s heart, God connected daily intercession with that once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of His glory. The stone testifies that the God who revealed Himself in blazing holiness still listens to prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Ezekiel’s throne vision includes “a throne of sapphire” (Ezekiel 1:26), reinforcing that the stone represents God’s unchanging rule. • Practically, every time Aaron entered the Holy Place, Israel could trust that their cause was carried before the same King seated on sapphire splendor. • Believers now approach “the throne of grace” through our perfect High Priest, Jesus (Hebrews 7:25), whose ministry fulfills what this sapphire only anticipated. a diamond • The closing gem of the row is a diamond, renowned for durability and clarity. Its brilliance reminds us that God’s covenant promises are unbreakable (Psalm 89:34). • Jeremiah 31:3 speaks of an “everlasting love”; the diamond reflects that permanence physically, set in gold so it could never be removed. • Because the breastpiece was called “the breastpiece of judgment” (Exodus 28:15), placing a diamond here assures Israel that God’s judgments are flawless—no hidden flaw will be found in His verdicts (Deuteronomy 32:4). • Revelation 4:3 describes the One on heaven’s throne with light “resembling jasper”—another clear stone—showing continuity between earthly priestly symbolism and heavenly reality. • Just as sunlight passing through a diamond scatters into many colors, the multifaceted wisdom of God now shines through the gospel “to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10). summary God ordered real, specific gems—turquoise, sapphire, diamond—into the second row of the high priest’s breastpiece so that Israel would carry vivid reminders of heaven’s call, the King’s glory, and the covenant’s permanence. Each stone pointed beyond itself to truths now fulfilled in Christ, our great High Priest, who bears His people on His heart and secures their place before the Father forever. Verse 18. - The second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. Here all the names must be wrong, for none of these three stones could be cut by the ancient engravers. Probably, carbuncle (or garnet), lapis lazuli, and onyx are intended.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew in the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֑י (haš·šê·nî) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number) row וְהַטּ֖וּר (wə·haṭ·ṭūr) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2905: A row, a wall a turquoise, נֹ֥פֶךְ (nō·p̄eḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5306: (a precious stone) perhaps emerald a sapphire, סַפִּ֖יר (sap·pîr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5601: A gem, the sapphire and a diamond; וְיָהֲלֹֽם׃ (wə·yā·hă·lōm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3095: (a precious stone) perhaps jasper or onyx Links Exodus 28:18 NIVExodus 28:18 NLT Exodus 28:18 ESV Exodus 28:18 NASB Exodus 28:18 KJV Exodus 28:18 BibleApps.com Exodus 28:18 Biblia Paralela Exodus 28:18 Chinese Bible Exodus 28:18 French Bible Exodus 28:18 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 28:18 And the second row a turquoise (Exo. Ex) |