The Meaning of Exodus 28:9 Explained

Exodus 28:9

KJV: And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

YLT: 'And thou hast taken the two shoham stones, and hast opened on them the names of the sons of Israel;

Darby: And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel:

ASV: And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt take  two  onyx  stones,  and grave  on them the names  of the children  of Israel: 

What does Exodus 28:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 28:1-14 - The Beaten Oil The Ephod
Always in Scripture oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. It is His grace communicated to the wick of our character and life, which makes them capable of giving a bright light for God. This oil was pure, because none shine brightly for God who are not pure in heart and poor in spirit. It was beaten, because our best work is often the result of our sorrows. McCheyne used to say, "Beaten oil for the sanctuary," referring to the care with which ministers and teachers should prepare for their work. Get your oil direct! See Zechariah 4:2-3.
It is befitting that we should consider the priestly garments. We minister within the curtained court; order the lamp of testimony till daybreak, and stand before the altar of incense-it is meet that we should be arrayed in the beauty of holiness. Our Lord bears our names, graven indelibly and eternally, and we are accepted in the Beloved. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 28

1  Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
2  Holy garments are appointed
6  The ephod and girdle
15  The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
30  The Urim and Thummim
31  The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
36  The plate of the mitre
39  The embroidered coat
40  The garments for Aaron's sons

What do the individual words in Exodus 28:9 mean?

And you shall take - two stones onyx and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel
וְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔ אֶת־ שְׁתֵּ֖י אַבְנֵי־ שֹׁ֑הַם וּפִתַּחְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁמ֖וֹת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

וְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔  And  you  shall  take 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
שְׁתֵּ֖י  two 
Parse: Number, fdc
Root: שְׁנַיִם  
Sense: two.
אַבְנֵי־  stones 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: אֶבֶן  
Sense: stone (large or small).
שֹׁ֑הַם  onyx 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֹׁהַם  
Sense: a precious stone or gem.
וּפִתַּחְתָּ֣  and  engrave 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: פָּתַח 
Sense: to open.
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם  on  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: עַל 
Sense: 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.
שְׁמ֖וֹת  the  names 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
בְּנֵ֥י  of  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.