Exodus 39:4
Exodus 39:4 in Multiple Translations
They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.
They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
They made shoulder-pieces for it, joined together; at the two ends was it joined together.
And they made two bands for joining its edges together at the top of the arms.
Two shoulder pieces were attached to the front and back pieces.
For the which they made shoulders to couple together: for it was closed by the two edges thereof.
shoulder-pieces they have made for it, joining; at its two ends it is joined.
They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends.
They made shoulder-pieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
And two borders coupled one to the other in the top on either side,
The apron had two shoulder straps, to join the front part to the back part at the shoulders.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 39:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 39:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּתֵפֹ֥ת
עָֽשׂוּ
ל֖/וֹ
חֹבְרֹ֑ת
עַל
שְׁנֵ֥י
קצוות/ו
קְצוֹתָ֖י/ו
חֻבָּֽר
כְּתֵפֹ֥ת
kâthêph
H3802
shoulder
N-fp
עָֽשׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
ל֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
חֹבְרֹ֑ת
châbar
H2266
to unite
V-Qal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
שְׁנֵ֥י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
קצוות/ו
qᵉtsâth
H7117
end
N-fp | Suff
קְצוֹתָ֖י/ו
qâtsâh
H7098
end
N-cp | Suff
חֻבָּֽר
châbar
H2266
to unite
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 39:4
כְּתֵפֹ֥ת
kâthêph
H3802
"shoulder"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for shoulder describes the upper end of the arm, where garments hang, and is used in Exodus 28:7 to describe the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Definition: 1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope 1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man) 1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals) 1c) side, slope (of mountain) 1d) supports (of laver)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side, undersetter. See also: Exodus 27:14; 2 Kings 11:11; Isaiah 11:14.
עָֽשׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
ל֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
חֹבְרֹ֑ת
châbar
H2266
"to unite"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to unite or join, and can also refer to charming or spellbinding someone. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It can also mean to make an alliance or fellowship.
Definition: 1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to unite, be joined 1a2) to tie magic charms, charm 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to unite with, make an ally of 1b2) to unite, join, ally 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be allied with, be united 1c2) to be joined together 1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words) 1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: charm(-er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league. See also: Genesis 14:3; 2 Chronicles 20:35; Psalms 58:6.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שְׁנֵ֥י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
קצוות/ו
qᵉtsâth
H7117
"end"
N-fp | Suff
This word means the end of something, like a boundary or a limit. It can also refer to a part or portion of something. In the Bible, it is used to describe the end of things.
Definition: 1) end, part 1a) end 1a1) of corners, of earth 1b) from the end of 1c) at the end of Aramaic equivalent: qe.tsat (קְצָת "end" H7118)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: end, part, [idiom] some. See also: Exodus 37:8; Daniel 1:2; Daniel 1:18.
קְצוֹתָ֖י/ו
qâtsâh
H7098
"end"
N-cp | Suff
In the book of Isaiah, this word means the end or termination of something. It can also refer to a corner or edge of a territory. This word is used to describe the limits of God's creation.
Definition: 1) end, extremity 1a) end 1b) from the whole of, from among (of what is included between extremities)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: coast, corner, (selv-) edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle See also: Exodus 25:18; Exodus 39:18; Psalms 19:7.
חֻבָּֽר
châbar
H2266
"to unite"
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to unite or join, and can also refer to charming or spellbinding someone. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It can also mean to make an alliance or fellowship.
Definition: 1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to unite, be joined 1a2) to tie magic charms, charm 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to unite with, make an ally of 1b2) to unite, join, ally 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be allied with, be united 1c2) to be joined together 1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words) 1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: charm(-er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league. See also: Genesis 14:3; 2 Chronicles 20:35; Psalms 58:6.
Study Notes — Exodus 39:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Ephod
2Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
3They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.
4They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.
5And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 6They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.Exodus 39:4 Summary
The shoulder pieces on the ephod were an important part of the high priest's garments, allowing him to move freely and confidently as he performed his duties. This verse shows us the value of careful planning and attention to detail, as well as the importance of being securely 'fastened' in our faith, like the ephod was fastened with its shoulder pieces (as seen in Exodus 39:4 and Ephesians 6:14). By following God's instructions and trusting in His provision, we can be confident and secure in our own spiritual journeys. Just as the high priest was called to serve and minister to others, we are also called to serve and love those around us, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the shoulder pieces on the ephod?
The shoulder pieces on the ephod were likely used to hold the ephod in place, allowing the high priest to perform his duties without restriction, as instructed by God in Exodus 39:4 and similar to the way God provided for the priests' needs in Exodus 28:6-14.
How does this verse relate to the overall design of the ephod?
This verse shows the attention to detail in the construction of the ephod, with the shoulder pieces being attached at two of its corners, demonstrating the care and craftsmanship that went into creating the priestly garments, as seen in Exodus 39:2-3.
What can we learn from the craftsmanship described in this verse?
The skill and attention to detail shown in the construction of the ephod, including the shoulder pieces, demonstrate the importance of excellence in our work, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24, where we are instructed to do our work heartily as for the Lord.
How does the ephod relate to the rest of the priestly garments?
The ephod, including its shoulder pieces, was a key part of the high priest's garments, which were designed to reflect the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, as described in Exodus 28:1-5 and Leviticus 8:7-9.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from the attention to detail in the construction of the ephod, and how can I apply that to my own life and work?
- How does the idea of being 'fastened' or securely held in place relate to my own spiritual journey, and what can I do to deepen my sense of security in God?
- What role do I play in the 'priestly' work of serving and ministering to others, and how can I fulfill that role with excellence and care?
- How can I balance the need for careful planning and attention to detail with the need for faith and trust in God's provision, as seen in this verse and in the larger story of the Israelites?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 39:4
[See comments on Exodus 39:2].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 39:4
They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 39:4
XXXIX. THE MAKING OF THE HOLY .(1-31) This section corresponds to Exodus 28:5-40, but does not follow exactly the same order. Exodus 39:2-7 correspond to Exodus 39:5-12 of Exodus 28; Exodus 39:8-21 to Exodus 39:13-28; Exodus 39:22-26 to Exodus 39:31-35; but after this a dislocation occurs. Exodus 39:27-29 correspond to Exodus 39:39-42 of Exodus 28, and Exodus 39:30-31 to Exodus 39:36-38. It is not clear why any change was made. The order observed in Exodus 28 seems preferable.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 39:4
4. They made shoulder-straps for it, joined (to it); at its two (top) edges was it joined (to them)] See on Exodus 28:7.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 39:4
THE HOLY OF THE PRIESTS, Exodus 39:1-31 See notes on Exodus 28. ALL BROUGHT TO MOSES AND , Exodus 39:32-43.