Take two onyx stones
The onyx stones were precious gemstones, often associated with beauty and value. In ancient times, onyx was used in various cultures for jewelry and decoration, signifying its importance and rarity. The use of two stones may symbolize completeness or testimony, as two witnesses were required to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). The stones were to be set on the shoulders of the ephod, a priestly garment, indicating the high priest's role in bearing the people before God.

and engrave on them
Engraving signifies permanence and intentionality. The act of engraving the stones suggests that the names of the sons of Israel were to be permanently remembered and represented before God. This mirrors the idea of God engraving His people on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16), indicating a deep, enduring relationship.

the names of the sons of Israel:
The sons of Israel refer to the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. Each tribe had its unique identity and role within the nation. By engraving their names on the onyx stones, the high priest symbolically carried the entire nation into the presence of God, highlighting the unity and collective identity of the Israelites. This act foreshadows Christ, our High Priest, who bears the names of His people before God, interceding on their behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The onyx stones were part of his priestly garments.

3. Sons of Israel
Refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel).

4. Onyx Stones
Precious stones used in the high priest's ephod, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes.

5. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the instructions for the tabernacle and the priestly garments.Significance of Names
The engraving of the names of the sons of Israel on the onyx stones signifies God's personal relationship with His people. Each tribe is individually recognized and valued.

Symbolism of the Onyx Stones
The onyx stones represent the burden and responsibility of the priesthood. Aaron carried the names of the tribes on his shoulders, symbolizing his role as an intercessor.

Priestly Role of Believers
Just as Aaron bore the names of the tribes before God, believers today are called to intercede for others and carry their burdens in prayer.

Continuity of God's Covenant
The inclusion of the twelve tribes' names in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the unbroken nature of God's promises to His people.

Holiness and Service
The detailed instructions for the priestly garments remind us of the importance of holiness and dedication in our service to God.1. What is the meaning of Exodus 28:9?

2. What is the significance of engraving names on stones in Exodus 28:9?

3. How does Exodus 28:9 illustrate the importance of remembrance in worship?

4. Connect Exodus 28:9 with other scriptures emphasizing memorial stones or remembrance.

5. How can we apply the concept of remembrance in our daily spiritual lives?

6. What does Exodus 28:9 teach about the role of priests in representing God's people?

7. What is the significance of engraving names on the onyx stones in Exodus 28:9?

8. How does Exodus 28:9 reflect the importance of the tribes of Israel?

9. Why were the names of the sons of Israel engraved on stones in Exodus 28:9?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 28?

11. What is the Bible's perspective on crystals?

12. What do birthstones symbolize in the Bible?

13. What are the components of Priestly Garments?

14. What does "ephod" mean?Take two onyx stones

• The High Priest was to select exactly two stones, no more, no less (Exodus 28:9–10). That precise number echoes the paired settings on the priestly shoulders where the gems would rest (Exodus 28:12).

• Onyx appears in Scripture as a precious stone associated with God-given resources (Genesis 2:12) and with the eternal foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20). Its enduring quality fits a ministry meant to last for generations.

• Placing costly stones on the priest’s shoulders shows how God values His people; He literally “carries” them. Compare Isaiah 46:3–4, where the Lord promises to bear and carry Israel.

• Shoulders are the place of strength. Just as the shepherd carries the sheep he has found (Luke 15:5), the High Priest carries the tribes into God’s presence.

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and engrave on them

• “Engrave” speaks of permanence. The names would not be painted on temporarily but cut in for good (Exodus 28:11). Likewise, God’s covenant promises are not erasable (Malachi 3:6).

• The Lord Himself provides the pattern—His own writing on the stone tablets of the Law (Exodus 32:16). What He writes, He means to stand forever.

• Engraving requires deliberate care and skill, mirroring the detailed craftsmanship God expects in worship (Exodus 31:3–5).

• This permanence foreshadows the believer’s name written in the book of life (Revelation 3:5), an inscription that cannot be blotted out.

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the names of the sons of Israel

• Every tribe is represented—six names on one stone, six on the other (Exodus 28:10). No tribe is left out; God’s people are remembered individually and collectively (Exodus 1:1–5; Revelation 7:4–8).

• The stones rested on the ephod’s shoulder pieces “as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, so that Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a sign of remembrance” (Exodus 28:12).

• This intercessory picture anticipates Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who “always lives to intercede” for us (Hebrews 7:25).

• Names signify identity. By carrying them, the priest signifies that Israel’s identity is bound up with God’s presence and favor (Numbers 6:27).

• God’s design highlights unity: though twelve tribes camped separately (Numbers 2), they are one people borne together before the Lord.

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summary

Exodus 28:9 portrays more than jewelry; it reveals a God who carries His people close, remembers them permanently, and calls them by name. The onyx stones on the High Priest’s shoulders symbolize strength carrying precious cargo, engraving that speaks of unbreakable covenant, and names that declare each tribe’s valued place. In Christ, the ultimate fulfillment, believers today share the same assurance of being borne, remembered, and honored before the Father.

(9) Two onyx stones.--The shoham of the Hebrews has been regarded by some as the emerald, by others as the beryl; but it is probably either the stone usually called the onyx, or that variety which is known as the sardonyx--a stone of three layers--black, white, and red. (See Joseph., Ant. Jud., iii. 7, ? 5.) Emeralds could not have been cut by any process known at the time. Onyx and sardonyx were used from a very early period, as stones for signets, both in Egypt and elsewhere.

And grave on them the names of the children of Israel.--That gem-engraving was practised from a remote antiquity both in Egypt and in Babylonia appears from the remains found in those countries. The signet cylinders of Chaldaean kings are regarded by the best Assyriologists as going back, at least, to B.C. 2,000. The signets of Egyptian monarchs reach, at any rate, to the twelfth dynasty, which is perhaps nearly as early. The hardest kinds of stone--diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz--defied the art of the time; but stones of the second class--sard, carnelian, onyx, beryl, jasper, lapis lazuli--readily yielded to the engraver's tools. There is no difficulty in supposing that among the Israelites were to be found persons who had been engaged in Egyptian workshops during the servitude, and were acquainted with Egyptian art in all its principal departments. The "names" to be engraved were doubtless the "tribe" names, as explained by Josephus.

Verse 9. - Two onyx stones. The correctness of this rendering has been much disputed. The LXX. give σμάραγδος, "emeraid." as the Greek equivalent in the present passage, while many argue for the beryl (Winer, Rosenmuller, Bollermann), and others for the sardonyx. This last rendering has the support of Josephus and Aquila. The sardonyx is, in fact, nothing but the best kind of onyx, differing from the onyx by having three layers - black, white, and red - instead of two - black and white - only. When large, it fetches a high price, as much as a thousand pounds having been asked for one by a dealer recently. The probability is, that it is the stone here intended. It is an excellent material for engraving. With respect to the possibility of Moses having in the congregation persons who could engrave the sardonyx, we may remark that the Egyptians cut stones quite as hard, from a date long anterior to the exodus. Grave on them the names of the children of Israel. Egyptian names are frequently found engraved on rings and amulets in hard stone; these rings and amulets date from the time of the twelfth dynasty. The names here intended are evidently the Israelite tribe names, which are reckoned as twelve, the double tribe of Joseph counting as one only. (Compare Numbers 1:10; Deuteronomy 33:13-17.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Take
וְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔ (wə·lā·qaḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

two
שְׁתֵּ֖י (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

onyx
שֹׁ֑הַם (šō·ham)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7718: (a gem) perhaps an onyx

stones
אַבְנֵי־ (’aḇ·nê-)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 68: A stone

and engrave
וּפִתַּחְתָּ֣ (ū·p̄it·taḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

on
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

them the names
שְׁמ֖וֹת (šə·mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the sons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Israel:
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Law: Exodus 28:9 You shall take two onyx stones (Exo. Ex)