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Exodus 28:22 — Word Study

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WLCוְעָשִׂ֧יתָ עַל־ הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת זָהָ֖ב טָהֽוֹר׃

BSAFor the breastpiecechôshen [sacred pouch, priest's bag] makeʻâsâh braided chainsgabluth [twisted lace] like cordsmaʻăseh [wreathed work, intertwined threads] of pureṭâhôwr [clean, ceremonially untainted] goldzâhâb [valuable metal]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 22 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 (ta.Hor) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 28:22quick helps
In a sentenceInstructions for creating the high priest's breastpiece with specific materials.
Who is speakingGod, giving detailed commands to Moses.
Where we areThe construction guidelines for the priestly garments.
The hard wordשַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת
Take awayThe breastpiece is to be adorned with intricate gold chains.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them › clause verbעָשָׂה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 9 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 28:22

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 — Instructions for the Priestly Garmentsgenerated

21The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
22For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.
23You are also to make two gold rings and fasten them to the two corners of the breastpiece.
24Then fasten the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

Exodus 28:22 provides specific instructions regarding the construction of the high priest's breastpiece, emphasizing the use of precious materials and intricate designs. This verse is part of a larger section detailing the garments that the high priest must wear, highlighting their significance in the worship of God and the representation of the people of Israel before Him.


Cross References


The Key Word שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת, shar.Shotgenerated

The noun שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת (sharshot) refers to chains, specifically those that are linked or connected. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, indicating a unique aspect of the breastpiece's design.

This term suggests a physical connection and strength, which is fitting for the breastpiece that holds the Urim and Thummim, serving as a means of divine communication.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term braided chains, a rendering also found in the KJV and ASV.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ (ve'a.Si.ta), meaning 'and you will make,' governs the entire verse, indicating a command. The structure is straightforward, with a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the action.

The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the action of making the breastpiece first, followed by the details of its construction, which highlights the importance of the task.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ as ποιήσεις (poiēsēs), which means 'you will make.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the act of creation.

The term used for 'chains' in the Septuagint is κροσσοὺς (krosous), which conveys a sense of intricacy and beauty, reflecting the craftsmanship intended in the original Hebrew.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 28:22 gives instructions for making the breastpiece of the high priest, specifying that it should have braided chains made of pure gold. This emphasizes the importance of the high priest's garments in the worship and representation of Israel before God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the breastpiece?

The breastpiece holds the Urim and Thummim, which were used for divination and decision-making, symbolizing God's guidance.

Why is gold specifically mentioned?

Gold signifies value and purity, reflecting the holiness required in the priestly garments.

What does the term 'braided chains' imply?

Braided chains suggest strength and beauty, indicating the craftsmanship involved in the high priest's attire.

How does this verse connect to the overall theme of Exodus?

This verse highlights God's detailed instructions for worship, emphasizing the importance of holiness and proper conduct in approaching Him.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the use of gold in the breastpiece signify about the nature of God?
  2. How can the concept of craftsmanship in the breastpiece apply to our own work and service?
  3. In what ways do we seek God's guidance today, similar to how the high priest used the Urim and Thummim?
  4. How does understanding the significance of the priestly garments enhance our view of the Old Testament sacrificial system?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 28:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And thou shall make upon the breastplate chains at the ends,.... One end of them to be put to the breastplate, and the other end to the ouches on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, by which the

Read John Gill on Exodus 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Some think these are the same with those mentioned . But it seems improbable and without example that God should in this short description, and that within a few verses, give a new and second command concerning the same thing. It may rather seem that these are other chains fastened to the breastplate, as it follows, whereas those chains, , seem to have been fastened to the ephod, to those ouches made in it for that purpose, . And whereas these chains also are fastened in the said ouches, , two several chains may well enough be fastened in divers parts of each of the ouches; and there seems to be this difference between the chains, those chains mentioned are said to be fastened only at one…

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Chains at the ends.—Rather, chains of equal length; or, chains of wreathen work. (See Note on Exodus 28:14.) Of wreathen work.—Heb., after the manner of ropes.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22–28. How the pouch is to be kept in position on the front of the ephod.

Read Cambridge on Exodus 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22-28. Chains… rings — This description shows in minute detail the manner in which the breastplate was securely fastened to the ephod.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 28 →

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

For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.

NETBNew English Translation2006

“You are to make for the breastpiece braided chains like cords of pure gold,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains like cords, of wreathen work of pure gold.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains like cords, of wreathen work of pure gold.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate chains at the ends of wreathed work of pure gold.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then thou shalt make vpon the breast plate two cheines at the endes of wrethen worke of pure golde.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And thou shalt make on the breastplate chains of laced work, of wreathen work, of pure gold.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'And thou hast made on the breastplate wreathed chains, work of thick bands, of pure gold;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And you have made wreathed chains on the breastplate, [the] work of thick bands of pure gold;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And thou shalt make on the breastplate chains with knots at the ends, of wreathed work, of pure gold.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

You must make on the breastpiece chains like cords, braided work of pure gold.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And thou shalt make on the rational chains linked one to another of the purest gold:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Make cords of braided chains from pure gold to attach the breastpiece.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And you are to make two chains of gold, twisted like cords, to be fixed to 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.

וְandclauseverbעָשִׂ֧יתָyou.will.makeprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonnoun phraseהַtheחֹ֛שֶׁןbreastpiecenoun phrase · objectnoun phraseשַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥תchainsגַּבְלֻ֖תof.twistingnoun phraseמַעֲשֵׂ֣הa.workעֲבֹ֑תof.cordagenoun phrase · adverbialזָהָ֖בgoldטָהֽוֹרpure

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


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

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all nine words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in three words: it uses שׁרשׁרות (chain), גבלות (uncertain), and עבות (rope). The Dead Sea Scrolls reflect a similar text but have one word on the leather and two partly restored.

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

וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ עַל־ הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת זָהָ֖ב טָהֽוֹר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְעָשִׂ֧יתָποιήσειςעַל־ἐπὶהַחֹ֛שֶׁןλογεῖονשַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥תκροσσοὺςגַּבְלֻ֖תσυμπεπλεγμένουςמַעֲשֵׂ֣הἔργονעֲבֹ֑תἁλυσιδωτὸνזָהָ֖בξρυσίουטָהֽוֹר׃καθαροῦ

9 of the 9 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

ועשׂית על החשׁן שׁרשׁרות גבלות מעשׂה עבות זהב טהור

3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: שׁרשׁרות (chain), גבלות (), עבות (rope)

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q22a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ועשית] [על] [החשן] [שרשת] גבלות מעשה עבות [זהב] [טהור]

1 word on the leather — 2 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.

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 28:22עָשָׂהand you wiland you will maעָשָׂהעַלononעַלחֹ֫שֶׁןthe breastpthe breastpieceחֹ֫שֶׁןשַׁרְשָׁהchains ofchains ofשַׁרְשָׁהגַּבְלֻתtwistingtwistingגַּבְלֻתמַעֲשֶׂהa work ofa work ofמַעֲשֶׂהעֲבֹתcordagecordageעֲבֹתזָהָבgoldgoldזָהָבטָהוֹרpurepureטָהוֹרשָׁרַשׁto uprootto uprootשָׁרַשׁגָּבַלto borderto borderגָּבַלעָשָׂהto maketo makeעָשָׂהטָהֵרbe purebe pureטָהֵרעַלheightheightעַלעָבוֹתleafyleafyעָבוֹתצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהמְלָאכָהworkworkמְלָאכָהתּוֹעֵבַהabominatioabominationתּוֹעֵבַהכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאאֵפוֹדephodephodאֵפוֹדקָצָהendendקָצָהשָׁנִיscarletscarletשָׁנִישֵׁשׁalabasteralabasterשֵׁשׁצַמֶּ֫רֶתtreetoptreetopצַמֶּ֫רֶתשַׁרְשְׁרָהchainchainשַׁרְשְׁרָהכֶּ֫סֶףsilver: mosilver: moneyכֶּ֫סֶף
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 28:22

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.

and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
וְעָשִׂ֧יתָve.'a.Si.ta and you will make H6213 Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
2,629× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Tyndale gloss
to make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make

Qal 2524

do (1560 t.)

deal with

oft. in phr. do kindness with

abs. act, act with effect

make (670 t.)

produce, yield

prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

make offering

attend to, put in order

observe, celebrate, religious festival

acquire property of various kinds

appoint priests

bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

use

spend, pass, days of life

Niph.

97be done

be made, of concr. things

be produced from vine

be prepared, of food

be offered

be observed, passover

be used

Pu. I was made

base

[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)

. deal with

. oft. in phr. do kindness with

. abs. act, act with effect

. . make (670 + t.)

. produce, yield

. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food

. make offering

. attend to, put in order

. observe, celebrate, religious festival

. acquire property of various kinds

. appoint priests

. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance

. use

. spend, pass, days of life

. . be done

. . be made, of concr. things

. be produced from vine

. be prepared, of food

. be offered

. be observed, passover

. be used

. I was made

H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6213 `asah aw-saw'

a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and

widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,

appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,

bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal

(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)

execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +

finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go

about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X

indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,

make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,

bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,

provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,

spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be

(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.

: do/perform

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

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.

(Piel) to press, squeeze

עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.

: 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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singular
Hc/Vqq2ms
and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence 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

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence 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 . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

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)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
הַחֹ֛שֶׁןha.Cho.shen the breastpiece H2833 Particle · 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
sacred pouch, priest's bag
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
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥תshar.Shot chains of H8331 Noun common · feminine plural construct
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שַׁרְשָׁה] Ex 28:22 v. following [שַׁרְשְׁרָה].

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8331 [שַׁרְשָׁה] Ex 28:22 v. following [שַׁרְשְׁרָה].

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8331 sharshah shar-shaw'

from 8327; a chain (as rooted, i.e. linked):--chain. Compare

8333.

see HEBREW for 08327

see HEBREW for 08333

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁרְשָׁה (shar.shah) — chain.

chain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfpc — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc
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…

and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
גַּבְלֻ֖תgav.Lut twisting H1383 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a twisted chain or lace, and is also translated as end. It appears in the Bible to describe a twisted or turned shape.
Amplified meaning
twisted lace
Tyndale gloss
twists
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּבְלֻת (gabluth) refers to a type of twisting, specifically describing twisted cords or chains. It appears in the context of the priestly garments in Exodus 28:22 and 39:15, indicating tightly twisted materials used in their construction. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to twist'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּבְלֻת n.f. twisting—שַׁרְשֹׁת גַּבְלֻת Ex 28:22, שַׁרְשְׁרֹת גּ׳ 39:15 (both P), cords of twisting, i.e. (well or tightly) twisted cords.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1383 גַּבְלֻת n.f. twisting—שַׁרְשֹׁת גַּבְלֻת Ex 28:22, שַׁרְשְׁרֹת גּ׳ 39:15 (both P), cords of twisting, i.e. (well or tightly) twisted cords.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1383 gabluth gab-looth'

from 1379; a twisted chain or lace:--end.

see HEBREW for 01379

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּבְלֻת (gav.lut) — twists.

a twisting

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Seh a work of H4639 Noun common · masculine singular construct
236× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Amplified meaning
wreathed work, intertwined threads
Tyndale gloss
deed: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'

from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;

abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,

a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,

business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,

occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,

((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.

see HEBREW for 06213

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.

: work/product

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) deed, work

1a) deed, thing done, act

1b) work, labour

1c) business, pursuit

1d) undertaking, enterprise

1e) achievement

1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)

1g) work, thing made

1h) work (of God)

1i) product

מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.

: custom/manner

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
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…

and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
עֲבֹ֑ת'a.Vot cordage H5688 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A cord or rope, often made from intertwined threads. In the Bible, it can also describe a wreath or chain, like the ones used in Ezekiel 7:23.
Tyndale gloss
cord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֲבֹת (aboth) refers to a twisted cord or rope, and can also denote cordage or interwoven foliage. The word is derived from a root meaning something intertwined, and it encompasses various forms such as bands, chains, and thick branches. There is a suggestion of uncertainty regarding the meaning of 'interwoven foliage' in some entries.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֲבֹת n.m. et f. (twisted) cord, rope; cordage; interwoven foliage (?)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5688 עֲבֹת (twisted) cord, rope; cordage; interwoven foliage (?)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5688 `aboth ab-oth'

or rabowth {ab-oth'}; or (feminine) tabothah {ab- oth-aw'};

the same as 5687; something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or

foliage:--band, cord, rope, thick bough (branch), wreathen

(chain).

see HEBREW for 05687

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֲבֹת (a.vot) — cord.

1) cord, rope, cordage, foliage, interwoven foliage

1a) cord, rope, cordage, chain

1b) interwoven foliage

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
זָהָ֖בza.Hav gold H2091 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
389× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Amplified meaning
valuable metal
Tyndale gloss
gold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זָהָב 385 n.m. gold

= gold-ore, gold in raw state

gold as wealth

gold as spoil of war

gold as merchandise

gold as costly gift

gold as material

gold described by its source

gold defined by var. adj. and pts.

as measure of weight and value

= golden oil, from colour

often named with

the chief vbs. used

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2091 זָהָב gold

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2091 zahab zaw-hawb'

from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,

something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--

gold(-en), fair weather.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.

1) gold

1a) as precious metal

1b) as a measure of weight

1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)

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

gold (zahabh; chrusos):

1. Terms:

No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).

Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;

Gold

(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).

(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).

(3.) Heb. paz, native or pure gold (Job 28:17; Ps. 19:10; 21:3, etc.).

(4.) Heb. betzer, “ore of gold or silver” as dug out of the mine (Job 36:19, where it means simply riches).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…

and you will make on the breastpiece chains of twisting a work of cordage gold pure
טָהֽוֹר׃ta.Hor pure H2889 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Amplified meaning
clean, ceremonially untainted
Tyndale gloss
pure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2889 tahowr taw-hore'

or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,

chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,

pure(-ness).

see HEBREW for 02891

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.

1) pure, clean

1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)

1b) pure (physically)

1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAamsa
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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