Exodus 39:9
Exodus 39:9 in Multiple Translations
It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being double.
It was square and folded in two, as long and as wide as the stretch of a man's hand;
It was square when folded, measuring around nine inches in length and width.
They made the brest plate double, and it was square, an hand breadth long, and an hand breadth broad: it was also double.
it hath been square; double they have made the breastplate, a span its length, and a span its breadth, doubled.
It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double.
It was foursquare; they made the breast-plate double: a span was the length of it, and a span the breadth of it, being doubled.
Foursquare, double, of the measure of a span.
It was square, and the material was folded double, so that it was ◄9 in./22 cm.► long and ◄9 in./22 cm.► wide.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 39:9
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 39:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רָב֧וּעַ
הָיָ֛ה
כָּפ֖וּל
עָשׂ֣וּ
אֶת
הַ/חֹ֑שֶׁן
זֶ֧רֶת
אָרְכּ֛/וֹ
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
רָחְבּ֖/וֹ
כָּפֽוּל
רָב֧וּעַ
râbaʻ
H7251
to square
V-Qal-Inf-c
הָיָ֛ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
כָּפ֖וּל
kâphal
H3717
to double
V-Qal-Inf-c
עָשׂ֣וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/חֹ֑שֶׁן
chôshen
H2833
breastpiece
Art | N-ms
זֶ֧רֶת
zereth
H2239
span
N-fs
אָרְכּ֛/וֹ
ʼôrek
H753
length
N-ms | Suff
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
span
Conj | N-fs
רָחְבּ֖/וֹ
rôchab
H7341
width
N-ms | Suff
כָּפֽוּל
kâphal
H3717
to double
V-Qal-Inf-c
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 39:9
רָב֧וּעַ
râbaʻ
H7251
"to square"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to make something square or four-sided, like a square-shaped building. It is used to describe something with four equal sides. In the Bible, it is used to describe the shape of the altar in Ezekiel's vision.
Definition: 1) to square, be squared 1a) (Qal) square (participle) 1b) (Pual) square (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: (four-) square(-d). See also: Exodus 27:1; 1 Kings 7:5; Ezekiel 45:2.
הָיָ֛ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כָּפ֖וּל
kâphal
H3717
"to double"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This verb means to double or repeat something, like folding something together. In the Bible, it can mean to repeat a task or action. The KJV translates it as double.
Definition: 1) to double, fold double, double over 1a) (Qal) to double over 1b) (Niphal) to be doubled
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: double. See also: Exodus 26:9; Exodus 39:9; Ezekiel 21:19.
עָשׂ֣וּ
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.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/חֹ֑שֶׁן
chôshen
H2833
"breastpiece"
Art | N-ms
The breastpiece was a sacred pouch worn by the high priest to hold the Urim and Thummim, as seen in Exodus 28:15-30.
Definition: 1) breastplate, breastpiece 1a) sacred pouch of the high priest designed to hold the Urim and Thummim
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: breastplate. See also: Exodus 25:7; Exodus 29:5; Leviticus 8:8.
זֶ֧רֶת
zereth
H2239
"span"
N-fs
A span is a unit of measure, about half a cubit, or the distance from thumb to little finger on an outstretched hand. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe length.
Definition: 1) span 1a) a unit of measure, approx half-cubit, or the distance from the thumb to the little finger on an outstretched hand
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: span. See also: Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4; Isaiah 40:12.
אָרְכּ֛/וֹ
ʼôrek
H753
"length"
N-ms | Suff
Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.
Definition: 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] forever, length, long. See also: Genesis 6:15; Psalms 93:5; Psalms 21:5.
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
"span"
Conj | N-fs
A span is a unit of measure, about half a cubit, or the distance from thumb to little finger on an outstretched hand. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe length.
Definition: 1) span 1a) a unit of measure, approx half-cubit, or the distance from the thumb to the little finger on an outstretched hand
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: span. See also: Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4; Isaiah 40:12.
רָחְבּ֖/וֹ
rôchab
H7341
"width"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means width or breadth, used to describe physical size or space. It appears in the Bible to describe the width of the earth or a room. In the KJV, it is translated as breadth or broad.
Definition: breadth, width, expanse
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. See also: Genesis 6:15; Ezekiel 40:13; Isaiah 8:8.
כָּפֽוּל
kâphal
H3717
"to double"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This verb means to double or repeat something, like folding something together. In the Bible, it can mean to repeat a task or action. The KJV translates it as double.
Definition: 1) to double, fold double, double over 1a) (Qal) to double over 1b) (Niphal) to be doubled
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: double. See also: Exodus 26:9; Exodus 39:9; Ezekiel 21:19.
Study Notes — Exodus 39:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Breastpiece
7Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
8He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
9It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
10And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; 11the second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;Exodus 39:9 Summary
[The breastpiece being square when folded over double, as described in Exodus 39:9, shows us that God values order and precision, which is also seen in how He created the world (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1-6). This verse helps us understand that every detail in the tabernacle, including the breastpiece, was important for the priests to follow God's commands accurately (Leviticus 10:1-3, Deuteronomy 12:32). The specific size and shape of the breastpiece might symbolize the completeness or wholeness of God's plan for His people, reflecting the idea that God's ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the breastpiece to be square when folded over double?
This description in Exodus 39:9 suggests a precise and intentional design, emphasizing the importance of order and symmetry in the construction of the breastpiece, as seen in other elements of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:9, Exodus 26:30).
How does the size of the breastpiece relate to its significance?
The breastpiece being a span long and a span wide, as mentioned in Exodus 39:9, indicates a specific, possibly symbolic size, which may reflect the dimensions of other sacred objects or spaces in the Bible, such as the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10).
Is the breastpiece's design related to its function?
Yes, the design of the breastpiece, including its square shape when folded, likely relates to its function as a symbol of the high priest's role in making decisions for the Israelites, as guided by God (Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21).
How does this verse fit into the broader narrative of Exodus?
Exodus 39:9 is part of the detailed description of the tabernacle's construction, highlighting God's attention to detail and the importance of following His commands, a theme present throughout the book of Exodus (Exodus 25:1-31:18, Exodus 35:1-40:38).
Reflection Questions
- What does the precision in the breastpiece's design teach us about God's nature and our response to Him?
- How can the symbolism of the breastpiece inform our understanding of spiritual leadership and decision-making in our lives?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of intentional design and symmetry from this verse to our personal walks with God?
- What role does obedience to specific instructions play in our relationship with God, as seen in the construction of the tabernacle?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 39:9
[See comments on Exodus 39:2].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 39:9
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 39:9
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 39:9
9. they made the pouch doubled] See on Exodus 28:15-16.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 39:9
THE HOLY OF THE PRIESTS, Exodus 39:1-31 See notes on Exodus 28. ALL BROUGHT TO MOSES AND , Exodus 39:32-43.