The Meaning of Exodus 28:11 Explained

Exodus 28:11

KJV: With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

YLT: the work of an engraver in stone, openings of a signet, thou dost open the two stones by the names of the sons of Israel; turned round, embroidered with gold, thou dost make them.

Darby: According to the work of an engraver in stone, as the engravings of a seal, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; surrounded by enclosures of gold shalt thou make them.

ASV: With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be inclosed in settings of gold.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

With the work  of an engraver  in stone,  [like] the engravings  of a signet,  shalt thou engrave  the two  stones  with the names  of the children  of Israel:  thou shalt make  them to be set  in ouches  of gold. 

What does Exodus 28:11 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 28:11 mean?

With the work of an engraver in stone [like] the engravings of a signet you shall engrave - two the stones with the names of the sons of Israel set in settings of gold You shall them
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה חָרַשׁ֮ אֶבֶן֒ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חֹתָ֗ם תְּפַתַּח֙ אֶת־ שְׁתֵּ֣י הָאֲבָנִ֔ים עַל־ שְׁמֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מֻסַבֹּ֛ת מִשְׁבְּצ֥וֹת זָהָ֖ב תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם

מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה  With  the  work 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
חָרַשׁ֮  of  an  engraver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֶרֶשׁ 
Sense: craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer.
אֶבֶן֒  in  stone 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶבֶן  
Sense: stone (large or small).
פִּתּוּחֵ֣י  [like]  the  engravings 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: פִּתּוּחַ  
Sense: engraving, carving.
חֹתָ֗ם  of  a  signet 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֹותָם  
Sense: seal, signet, signet-ring.
תְּפַתַּח֙  you  shall  engrave 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: פָּתַח 
Sense: to open.
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.
שְׁתֵּ֣י  two 
Parse: Number, fdc
Root: שְׁנַיִם  
Sense: two.
הָאֲבָנִ֔ים  the  stones 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: אֶבֶן  
Sense: stone (large or small).
שְׁמֹ֖ת  the  names 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
בְּנֵ֣י  of  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל  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.
מֻסַבֹּ֛ת  set 
Parse: Verb, Hofal, Participle, feminine plural construct
Root: סָבַב  
Sense: (Hophal).
מִשְׁבְּצ֥וֹת  in  settings 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: מִשְׁבְּצֹות  
Sense: plaited or filigree or chequered work (of settings for gems).
זָהָ֖ב  of  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה  You  shall 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.