Exodus 35:9 — Word Study
WLCוְאַ֨בְנֵי־ שֹׁ֔הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים לָאֵפ֖וֹד וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃
BSAand onyx stonesʼeben [valuable, precious gems] and gemstonesʼeben [stones to be set, for the adorning] to be mountedmilluʼ [set, installed] on the ephodʼêphôwd [a special vest, for the high priest] and breastpiecechôshen [a sacred pouch, for the Urim and Thummim]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאַ֨בְנֵי־ | and stones of | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct |
| שֹׁ֔הַם | onyx | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְאַבְנֵ֖י | and stones of | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct |
| מִלֻּאִ֑ים | setting | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| לָאֵפ֖וֹד | for the ephod | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃ | and for the breastpiece | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. |
| KJV | And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate. |
| ASV | and onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate. |
| YLT | and shoham stones, and stones for settings, for an ephod, and for a breastplate. |
| WEB | onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate. |
| BBE | And beryls and jewels to be cut for the ephod and for the priest's bag. |
There are no notable differences in how these translations render the Hebrew terms in this verse.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a purpose clause detailing the function of the stones.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 35:9
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 Tabernaclegenerated
Exodus 35:9 details the materials needed for the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of specific stones for the high priest's garments. The context shows how these items are integral to the priestly duties and the worship of God, as seen in earlier chapters like Exodus 28:9-17.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 25:5 | ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood; |
| 2 | Exodus 28:9–17 | Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: |
| 3 | Exodus 39:6–14 | They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶבֶן, ve.'Av.nei-generated
The Hebrew word אֶ֫בֶן (*eben*) means 'stone' and includes various types, such as common stones and precious gems. Its use in this verse indicates the significance of these stones in the context of religious garments.
The parsing shows it as a noun in the plural construct form, indicating a collection of stones, specifically those used for adornment. This highlights their role in the ceremonial aspects of the priesthood.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is structured around the noun phrases: אֶבְנֵי־שֹׁהַם and אֶבְנֵי־מִלֻּאִים, both serving as the object of the verb describing what is to be mounted. The prepositional phrases clarify the purpose of these stones in relation to the ephod and breastpiece.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the stones first, highlighting their importance before stating their function in the priestly garments.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אֶבֶן is rendered as λίθους, indicating a general term for stones. This choice maintains the focus on the physical materials.
The translation of שֹׁהַם as σαρδίου suggests a specific type of stone, possibly reflecting a particular understanding of the gem's identity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 35:9 lists onyx stones and gemstones that are to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece of the high priest. These stones are essential for the priestly garments, which play a significant role in the worship practices of ancient Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Onyx stones are precious gems used in the high priest's garments, symbolizing beauty and value in the context of worship.
The breastpiece is a sacred pouch worn by the high priest to hold the Urim and Thummim, used for divine guidance.
The specific stones signify the importance of the high priest's role and the beauty of the garments as part of the worship of God.
These stones were mounted on the ephod and breastpiece, serving both a decorative and symbolic purpose in the high priest's attire.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What do the precious stones symbolize in the context of worship?
- How can we understand the role of the high priest through the materials used in their garments?
- In what ways does the description of the ephod and breastpiece reflect the holiness of the priestly office?
- How does the use of valuable materials enhance our understanding of offerings to God?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 35:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 35 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersTHE PEOPLE INVITED TO OFFER THE OF THE , AND TO ASSIST IN THE WORK.(4-9) And Moses spake.—This passage is the sequence and counterpart of Exo 25:1-7, and follows exactly the same order in the enumeration of the required offerings. Both passages equally declare the sine quâ non of an acceptable offering to be “a willing heart” (Exodus 25:2; Exodus 35:5).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 35 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4–9. The people are invited to make voluntary offerings of the materials needed for the sanctuary. See Exodus 25:2-7, from which the list of materials in vv. 6–9 is verbally repeated.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 35 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE FOR THE , Exodus 35:4-29. 5-9. An offering — See notes on Exodus 25:2-7.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 35 →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
and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
onyx stones, and other gems for mounting on the ephod and the breastpiece.
Tyndale line
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
and onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
and onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breast-plate.
And onix stones, and stones to be set in the Ephod, and in the brest plate.
Strictly literal
and onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
and shoham stones, and stones for settings, for an ephod, and for a breastplate.
and shoham stones, and stones for settings, for an ephod, and for a breastplate.
And onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece.
From the Latin
Onyx stones, and precious stones, for the adorning of the ephod and the rational.
Simplified
and onyx stones and gemstones for making the ephod and breastpiece.
And beryls and jewels to be cut for the ephod and for 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.
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 Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint matches five of the six words but presents them in a different order, reflecting its own syntactical structure.
וְאַ֨בְנֵי־ שֹׁ֔הַם וְאַבְנֵ֖י מִלֻּאִ֑ים לָאֵפ֖וֹד וְלַחֹֽשֶׁן׃
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.
ואבני שׁהם ואבני מלאים לאפוד ולחשׁן
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
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.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 35:9
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural constructHC/Ncmpc
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.
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…
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.
שֹׁ֫הַם n.m. a gem, identif. dubious; onyx or chrysoprasus, beryl, malachite (√ unknown)
base
H7718 שֹׁ֫הַם a gem, identif. dubious (√ unknown)
7718 shoham sho'-ham
from an unused root probably mean to blanch; a gem, probably
the beryl (from its pale green color):--onyx.
שֹׁ֫הַם (sho.ham) — onyx.
1) a precious stone or gem
1a) probably onyx, chrysoprasus, beryl, malachite
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
on'-iks o'-niks.
See STONES, PRECIOUS.
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).
(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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural constructHC/Ncmpc
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.
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…
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.
[מִלּוּא, מִלֻּא] n.m. setting, installation
base
H4394 [מִלּוּא, מִלֻּא] setting, installation
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
מִלֻּא (mil.lu) — setting.
1) setting, installation
1a) setting, stones for setting
1b) installation (of priests)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
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.
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.
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
H646 אֵפוֹד (28 t.) & אֵפֹד (20 t.) ephod
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.
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
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
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…
(a sacred vestment originally appropriate to the high priest. (Exodus 28:4)
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
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.
חֹ֫שֶׁן n.m. the breast-piece or sacred pouch
base
H2833 חֹ֫שֶׁן the breast-piece or sacred pouch
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.
חֹ֫שֶׁן (cho.shen) — breastpiece.
1) breastplate, breastpiece
1a) sacred pouch of the high priest designed to hold the Urim and Thummim
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Rd/Ncmsa