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Exodus 25:7 — Word Study

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WLCאַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֕הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים לָאֵפֹ֖ד וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃

BSAand onyx stonesʼeben [shoham, a precious gemstone] and gemstonesʼeben [stones of value, precious stones] to be mountedmilluʼ [set in a ceremonial context] on the ephodʼêphôwd [a special vest worn by priests] and breastpiecechôshen [a sacred pouch, the breastplate]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ve.la.Cho.shen) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 25:7quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse lists the precious stones required for the priestly garments.
What is being describedThe materials for the ephod and breastpiece worn by the high priest.
The hard wordשֹׁהַם
Take awayThe ephod and breastpiece are adorned with valuable stones.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Exodus 25:7

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Instructions for the Tabernaclegenerated

6olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
7and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
8And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.
9You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 25:7 is part of God's instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the tabernacle and the priestly garments. This verse specifically details the materials needed for the ephod and breastpiece, emphasizing the importance of beauty and value in the items used for worship. The context highlights the sacredness of these garments and their role in the rituals of the Israelite priests.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 28:9–21Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
2Exodus 28:4–6These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

Onyx stonesExodus 28:9–21

The Key Word שֹׁהַם, Sho.hamgenerated

The word שֹׁ֫הַם (*Sho.ham*) refers to a precious gemstone, likely associated with onyx. Its exact identification is uncertain, but it is possibly linked to beryl or chrysoprasus. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, suggesting a specific type of stone rather than a general category.

This gemstone is significant in the context of the priestly garments, as it represents both beauty and value, essential for items used in sacred ceremonies. The use of precious stones like onyx in the ephod and breastpiece reflects the importance of these garments in the worship of God.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered consistently across translations, including the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE, all of which recognize the significance of the stones for the ephod and breastpiece.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause of the verse lists the items needed: אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֕הַם and וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים, both noun phrases describing the stones. The prepositional phrases לָאֵפֹ֖ד and וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן indicate the purpose of these stones, showing their connection to the ephod and breastpiece.

The structure emphasizes the items required for the priestly garments, highlighting their ceremonial significance in the worship practices of Israel.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, שֹׁהַם is rendered as σαρδίου, which refers to a type of gemstone, possibly sardius. This choice may reflect a specific understanding of the gemstone's appearance and value.

The translation indicates a narrowing of the term's meaning, suggesting a particular kind of precious stone that was recognized in the Greek-speaking world.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 25:7 describes the precious stones needed for the ephod and breastpiece, which were important garments for the priests in the tabernacle. The stones included onyx and other valuable gems, emphasizing the beauty and significance of these items in worship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the stones mentioned in this verse?

The stones represent beauty and value, symbolizing the importance of the priestly garments in worship.

What does the ephod represent?

The ephod is a special vest worn by priests, signifying their role and duties in the tabernacle.

How were these stones used in the breastpiece?

The stones were mounted in the breastpiece worn by the high priest, which held the Urim and Thummim for divine guidance.

Why are specific gemstones mentioned?

Specific gemstones highlight the luxurious and sacred nature of the items used in worship, reflecting God's glory.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How do the materials used in the tabernacle reflect God's holiness and the importance of worship?
  2. What can we learn from the significance of the ephod and breastpiece in our own lives?
  3. In what ways can we honor God with the things we offer in worship?
  4. How does understanding the use of precious stones in the tabernacle enhance our appreciation for the details of God's instructions?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early commentary on the priestly garments, including the ephod and breastpiece, highlights their significance in worship and the symbolism of the stones used.

Richard Challoner 1691–1781
The ephod and the rational: The ephod was the high priest's upper vestment; and the rational his breastplate, in which were twelve gems, etc.
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 25:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Onyx stones,.... So called from their likeness to the nail of a man's finger: the Targum of Onkelos calls them stones of beryl; and the Targum of Jonathan gems of beryl; and the Septuagint version,

Read John Gill on Exodus 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. Onyx stones , [ 'abneey (H68) shoham (H7718)] - (see the note at Genesis 2:12.) It is doubtful what gem is meant. J.D.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Onyx stones, or, sardonyx stones. Note, that the signification of the Hebrew names of the several stones are not agreed upon by the Jews at this day, and much more may we safely be ignorant of them, the religious use of them being now abolished. Stones to be set in the ephod; stones of fulness, or filling, or perfecting stones; so called either because they did perfect and adorn the ephod, or because they filled up the ouches, or the hollow places, which were left vacant for this purpose. What the ephod and breastplate were, see Exodus 28.

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.Ver. 7. In the ephod, and in the breastplate.] Of which see afterwards in Exodus 28:1-43.

Read John Trapp on Exodus 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Onyx stones.—The Hebrew shoham is rendered here by “sard” (LXX.), “sardonyx” (Vulg. And Josephus), and “beryl” (Rosenmüller and others). In Job 28:16, the same word is rendered by the LXX. “onyx.” There is thus considerable doubt what stone is meant. Only three such stones seem to have been required as offerings, one for the high priest’s breast-plate (Exodus 28:20), and two for the shoulder- pieces of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-12). Stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.—Heb., stones of insertion for the ephod and for the breast-plate. The stones of the ephod were two only, both probably either onyx or sardonyx; those of the breast-plate were twelve in number, all different…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. Onyx stones] We have already met with the stone called שהם shoham, Genesis 2:12, and acknowledged the difficulty of ascertaining what is meant by it. Some think the onyx, some the sardine, and some the emerald, is meant. We cannot say precisely what it was; possibly it might have been that fine pale pebble, called the Egyptian pebble, several specimens of which now lie before me, which were brought from the coast of the Red Sea, and other parts in Egypt, by a particular friend of mine, on purpose to add to my collection of minerals. Stones to be set in the ephod] אבני מלאים abney milluim, stones of filling up. Stones so cut as to be proper to be set in the gold work of the…

Read AdamClarke on Exodus 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7. Precious stones. onyx] Heb. shôham, a precious stone highly valued in OT. times (cf. Genesis 2:12, Ezekiel 28:13, Job 28:16, 1 Chronicles 29:1). There is, how ever, some uncertainty what the shôham was, though it is generally supposed to be either the onyx (LXX. in Job; Vulg.) or (RVm.) the beryl (LXX. in Ex.; Targ., Pesh.): see further on Exodus 28:20. For the use made of these stones, see Exodus 28:17; Exodus 28:20. stones to be set] Cf. 1 Chronicles 29:2; and see on Exodus 28:17; Exodus 28:20. for the ephod, and for the pouch] Exodus 28:6 ff., Exodus 28:13 ff.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 25 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7. Onyx stones — Already mentioned Genesis 2:12. These, and the other precious stones set in the breastplate, are mentioned more fully in Exodus 28:17-21.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 25 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

NETBNew English Translation2006

onyx stones, and other gems to be set in the ephod and in the breastpiece.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

RVARevised Version, American1894

onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breast-plate.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Onix stones, and stones to be set in the Ephod, and in the brest plate.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

shoham stones, and stones for setting for an ephod, and for a breastplate.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

shoham stones, and stones for setting for an ephod, and for a breastplate.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Onyx stones, and precious stones to adorn the ephod and the rational.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

and onyx stones and other gemstones to be used in making the ephod and breastpiece.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Beryls and stones of value to be put on the ephod and on the priest's bag.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clausenoun phrase · predicatenoun phraseאַבְנֵיstonesשֹׁ֕הַםof.onyxוְandnoun phraseאַבְנֵ֖יstonesמִלֻּאִ֑יםof.setting(s)prepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseלָfornoun phrasetheאֵפֹ֖דephodוְandprepositional phraseלַfornoun phrasetheחֹֽשֶׁןbreastpiece

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in five out of six words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by using the word אפוד (ephod) instead of the Masoretic form. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that partially restore the verse, confirming the presence of key terms.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֕הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים לָאֵפֹ֖ד וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַבְנֵי־λίθουςשֹׁ֕הַםσαρδίουוְאַבְנֵ֖יλίθουςלָאֵפֹ֖דἐπωμίδαוְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ποδήρη

5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ואבני שׁהם ואבני מלאים לאפוד ולחשׁן

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: אפוד (ephod)

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q11a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

מלואים לאפוד ולחשן

3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 3 partly restored.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Exodus 25:7אֶ֫בֶןstones ofstones ofאֶ֫בֶןשֹׁ֫הַםonyxonyxשֹׁ֫הַםאֶ֫בֶןand stones and stones ofאֶ֫בֶןמִלּוּאsettingsettingמִלּוּאאֵפוֹדfor the ephfor the ephodאֵפוֹדחֹ֫שֶׁןand for theand for the breחֹ֫שֶׁןבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהמָלֵאto fillto fillמָלֵאיָקָרpreciouspreciousיָקָרלוּחַtablettabletלוּחַחֹ֫שֶׁןbreastpiecbreastpieceחֹ֫שֶׁןיָֽשְׁפֶהjasperjasperיָֽשְׁפֶהתַּרְשִׁישׁjasperjasperתַּרְשִׁישׁשֹׁ֫הַםonyxonyxשֹׁ֫הַםחֵ֫שֶׁבartworkartworkחֵ֫שֶׁבאֵפוֹדephodephodאֵפוֹדקָצָהendendקָצָה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Exodus 25:7

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
אַבְנֵי־'av.nei- stones of H68 Noun common · masculine plural construct
273× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Amplified meaning
shoham, a precious gemstone
Tyndale gloss
stone: weight
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶ֫בֶן (*eben*) means 'stone' and encompasses various types, including common stones, precious stones, and stones used as weights or tools. It can also refer to metaphorical uses, such as a hardened heart or sinking in water. The entries highlight its physical and symbolic significance, with no notable disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫בֶן 274 n.f. stone

in natural state

stone, as material

precious stone, gen. with modifying word

stone containing metal, = ore

a weight, as orig. stone

plummet

objects like stone

in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

In topogr. terms

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H68 אֶ֫בֶן stone . in natural state

. stone, as material

. precious stone, gen. with modifying word

. stone containing metal, = ore

. a weight, as orig. stone

. plummet

. objects like stone

. in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

. In topogr. terms

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

68 'eben eh'-ben

from the root of 1129 through the meaning to build; a

stone:--+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, (chalk-, hail-,

head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).

see HEBREW for 01129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone.

: stone

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

1e) weight

1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal

1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice

1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines

1i) (simile)

1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness

1i2) strength, firmness, solidity

1i3) commonness

1j) (metaph)

1j1) petrified with terror

1j2) perverse, hard heart

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone: weight.

: weight

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
שֹׁ֕הַםSho.ham onyx H7718 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Onyx is a precious gemstone, possibly green or blue in color, used in the Bible to describe luxurious items. It is also known as beryl or chrysoprasus.
Tyndale gloss
onyx
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֹׁ֫הַם (shoham) refers to a gem, with its exact identification being uncertain. It is likely associated with onyx, beryl, or chrysoprasus, and may also refer to malachite. The word is built from an unused root that probably means to blanch, indicating a pale color.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֹׁ֫הַם n.m. a gem, identif. dubious; onyx or chrysoprasus, beryl, malachite (√ unknown)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7718 שֹׁ֫הַם a gem, identif. dubious (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7718 shoham sho'-ham

from an unused root probably mean to blanch; a gem, probably

the beryl (from its pale green color):--onyx.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֹׁ֫הַם (sho.ham) — onyx.

1) a precious stone or gem

1a) probably onyx, chrysoprasus, beryl, malachite

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

on'-iks o'-niks.

See STONES, PRECIOUS.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Onyx

A hail; claw; hoof, (Heb. shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod (Ex. 28:9-12, 20; 35:27; Job 28:16; Ezek. 28:13). It was found in the land of Havilah (Gen. 2:12). The LXX. translates the Hebrew word by smaragdos, an emerald. Some think that the sardonyx is meant. But the onyx differs from the sardonyx in this, that while the latter has two layers (black and white) the former has three (black, white, and red).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a nail) is the translation of the Hebrew shoham ; but there is some doubt as to its signification. Some writers believe that the "beryl" is intended; but the balance of authority is in favor of some variety of the onyx. ("The onyx is not a transparent stone, but as the color of the flesh appears through the nail (Greek onyx) on the human body, so the reddish mass which is below shines delicately through the whitish surface of the onyx. There are several varieties. White and reddish stripes alternating form the sardonyx; white and reddish gray, the chalcedony. When polished it has a fine lustre, and is easily wrought into a gem of great beauty."-Rosenmiller.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A nail, the eleventh stone in the high priest’s breastplate, Ex 28:20. The modern onyx has some resemblance to the agate; and the color of the body of the stone is like that of the human nail; hence its name. The Hebrew word so translated is not known with certainty to signify the onyx; but denoted some valuable stone, Ge 2:12; Ex 25:7; 28:9-12,20. A species of marble resembling the onyx was known to the Greeks, and may have been the "onyx-stones" stored up by David for the temple, 1Ch 29:2.

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
וְאַבְנֵ֖יve.'av.Nei and stones of H68 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
273× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Amplified meaning
stones of value, precious stones
Tyndale gloss
stone: weight
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶ֫בֶן (*eben*) means 'stone' and encompasses various types, including common stones, precious stones, and stones used as weights or tools. It can also refer to metaphorical uses, such as a hardened heart or sinking in water. The entries highlight its physical and symbolic significance, with no notable disagreements among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶ֫בֶן 274 n.f. stone

in natural state

stone, as material

precious stone, gen. with modifying word

stone containing metal, = ore

a weight, as orig. stone

plummet

objects like stone

in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

In topogr. terms

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H68 אֶ֫בֶן stone . in natural state

. stone, as material

. precious stone, gen. with modifying word

. stone containing metal, = ore

. a weight, as orig. stone

. plummet

. objects like stone

. in sim. (mostly poet.) of sinking in water

. In topogr. terms

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

68 'eben eh'-ben

from the root of 1129 through the meaning to build; a

stone:--+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, (chalk-, hail-,

head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).

see HEBREW for 01129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone.

: stone

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

1e) weight

1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal

1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice

1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines

1i) (simile)

1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness

1i2) strength, firmness, solidity

1i3) commonness

1j) (metaph)

1j1) petrified with terror

1j2) perverse, hard heart

אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) — stone: weight.

: weight

1) stone (large or small)

1a) common stone (in natural state)

1b) stone, as material

1b1) of tablets

1b2) marble, hewn stones

1c) precious stones, stones of fire

1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
HC/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
מִלֻּאִ֑יםmi.lu.'Im setting H4394 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
15× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to setting or installing something, like a gemstone or a priest, often in a ceremonial context, as seen in Exodus 28:11 and Leviticus 8:12.
Amplified meaning
set in a ceremonial context
Tyndale gloss
setting
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִלּוּא (millu') refers to a setting or installation, particularly in the context of gems or the consecration of priests. It is derived from the root meaning of fulfilling and is primarily used in plural form. The term encompasses both the literal act of setting stones and the technical aspect of dedicatory sacrifices.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[מִלּוּא, מִלֻּא] n.m. setting, installation

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4394 [מִלּוּא, מִלֻּא] setting, installation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4394 millu' mil-loo'

from 4390; a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e. (literally) a

setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also

concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice):--consecration, be set.

see HEBREW for 04390

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִלֻּא (mil.lu) — setting.

1) setting, installation

1a) setting, stones for setting

1b) installation (of priests)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

set'-ing (millu'ah, literally, "a filling"): The word is used in the description of the manufacture of the breastplate of judgment (Ex 28:17). The instruction runs: "Thou shalt set in it settings of stones," namely, four rows of precious stones. The same word is rendered "inclosings" in Ex 28:20, and in 39:13 the King James Version.

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
לָאֵפֹ֖דla.'e.Fod for the ephod H646 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The ephod was a special vest worn by priests in the Bible, including the high priest, made with gold, blue, and purple threads. It was a symbol of their role and had shoulder pieces and a breastpiece with gems. In Exodus 28:6, God instructs Moses on how to make the ephod.
Amplified meaning
a special vest worn by priests
Tyndale gloss
ephod
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵפוֹד (ephod) refers to a priestly garment, specifically a shoulder-cape or mantle worn by priests, with variations in material and design for ordinary and high priests. It is mentioned in contexts of priestly duties and rituals, including its use in consulting God and a notable instance where Gideon made a gold ephod.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵפוֹד (28 t.) & אֵפֹד (20 t.) n.m. ephod

ephod, priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle

ephod used in consulting י׳

ephod of gold made by Gideon

made (material not given) for a private, local sanctuary

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H646 אֵפוֹד (28 t.) & אֵפֹד (20 t.) ephod

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

646 'ephowd ay-fode'

rarely oephod {ay-fode'}; probably of foreign derivation ; a

girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder-

piece; also generally, an image:--ephod.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵפוֹד (e.phod) — ephod.

1) ephod

1a) priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle, outer garment

1a1) worn by an ordinary priest and made of white stuff

1a2) worn by the high priest-more costly, woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads provided with shoulder-pieces and a breast piece of like material, ornamented with gems and gold

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ephod

Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Ex. 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Sam. 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Sam. 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Sam. 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Ex. 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with divers colours. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a sacred vestment originally appropriate to the high priest. (Exodus 28:4)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

An ornamental part of the dress worn by the Hebrew priests. It was worn above the tunic and the robe, was without sleeves, and open below the arms on each side, consisting of two pieces, one of which covered the front of the body and the other the back, joined together on the shoulders by golden buckles set with gems, and reaching down to the middle of the thigh. A girdle was inwoven with it, by which it was fastened around the body, Ex 28:6-12. There were two kinds of ephod: one plain, of linen, for the priests, 1Sa 22:18; another embroidered, for the high priest. Young Samuel wore an ephod, though only a Levite and a child, 1Sa 2:18. David, in transferring the ark to Jerusalem, was "girt with a linen ephod,"

1. A sacred vestment worn by the high priest

Described Ex 28:6-14,31-35; 25:7

The making of Ex 39:2-26

Breastplate attached to Ex 28:22-29

Worn by Aaron Ex 39:5

Used as an oracle 1Sa 23:9,12; 30:7,8

An inferior, was worn by the ordinary priests 1Sa 22:18

Worn by Samuel 1Sa 2:18

Worn by David 2Sa 6:14

It was called COAT Ex 28:40; 29:8; 39:27; 40:14; Le 8:13; 10:5

stones of onyx and stones of setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece
וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ve.la.Cho.shen and for the breastpiece H2833 Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
25× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The breastpiece was a sacred pouch worn by the high priest to hold the Urim and Thummim, as seen in Exodus 28:15-30.
Amplified meaning
a sacred pouch, the breastplate
Tyndale gloss
breastpiece
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֹ֫שֶׁן (choshen) refers to the breast-piece or sacred pouch worn by the high priest, designed to hold the Urim and Thummim. It is derived from a root that likely means to contain or sparkle, suggesting a connection to richness or precious stones. The term is used exclusively in this context within the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֹ֫שֶׁן n.m. the breast-piece or sacred pouch

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2833 חֹ֫שֶׁן the breast-piece or sacred pouch

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2833 choshen kho'-shen

from an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle;

perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich

(as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the

highpriest:--breastplate.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֹ֫שֶׁן (cho.shen) — breastpiece.

1) breastplate, breastpiece

1a) sacred pouch of the high priest designed to hold the Urim and Thummim

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HC/Rd/Ncmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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