The Meaning of Exodus 28:20 Explained

Exodus 28:20

KJV: And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

YLT: and the fourth row is beryl, and onyx, and jasper; embroidered with gold are they in their settings,

Darby: and the fourth row, a chrysolite, and an onyx, and a jasper; enclosed in gold shall they be in their settings.

ASV: and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be inclosed in gold in their settings.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the fourth  row  a beryl,  and an onyx,  and a jasper:  they shall be set  in gold  in their inclosings. 

What does Exodus 28:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 28:15-30 - The Breastplate And Its Stones
The breastplate bore twelve precious stones, on each of which the name of a tribe was engraved-the smallest as well as the greatest, Benjamin as well as Judah, Simeon which faded in the desert, as well as Ephraim which occupied the center of the Promised Land. Whatever might be their sins and failures, their chastenings and penalties, nothing could remove them from that sacred place. They might even be at enmity among themselves, but still they would abide there in perfect unity. So it is with ourselves. Our names are engraven on the heart of Jesus, and ever presented before God. Neither life nor death can separate us from His love. Do not look at your shortcomings and failures, but at your standing in Christ Jesus. You cannot be forgotten by God. The dark waters may flow over your soul, the voice of the accuser may be hoarse in your ear, your heart and your flesh may fail, but you are precious in God's sight, and sparkle in His light like a jasper or sapphire. [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 28:20 mean?

And the row fourth a beryl and an onyx and a jasper set gold they shall be in settings
וְהַטּוּר֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה מְשֻׁבָּצִ֥ים זָהָ֛ב יִהְי֖וּ בְּמִלּוּאֹתָֽם

וְהַטּוּר֙  And  the  row 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: טוּר  
Sense: row.
הָרְבִיעִ֔י  fourth 
Parse: Article, Number, ordinal masculine singular
Root: רְבִיעִי 
Sense: fourth.
תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ  a  beryl 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: תַּרְשִׁישׁ  
Sense: a precious stone or semi-precious gem.
וְשֹׁ֖הַם  and  an  onyx 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֹׁהַם  
Sense: a precious stone or gem.
וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה  and  a  jasper 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָשְׁפֵה  
Sense: jasper (a precious stone).
מְשֻׁבָּצִ֥ים  set 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, masculine plural
Root: שָׁבַץ  
Sense: to weave in checkered or plaited work or pattern (meaning probable).
זָהָ֛ב  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
יִהְי֖וּ  they  shall  be 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בְּמִלּוּאֹתָֽם  in  settings 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מִלֻּאָה  
Sense: setting (of jewel).