BibleService BibleService Read, Study & Search the Scriptures

Bible Study

Try an example:

WEB · Bible Study

Exodus 28:15-30

← PreviousChapterNext →Read this passage
Exodus 28:15 is part of this passage.
15“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it. 16It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length, and a span its width. 17You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row; 18and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 19and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. 21The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes. 22You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 23You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 24You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 25The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart. 26You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. 27You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod. 29Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. 30You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.

Read more

Summary

“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine…. God gives a pattern so that He may dwell among His people.

Interpretation

In Exodus 28:15-30, “You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine… The narrator wants us to see God’s redeeming ways in real history. Listen to the text: ““You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it. It shall…”

The tabernacle pattern shows God desires to dwell with His people on His terms. Beauty, order, and blood-taught access prepare hearts for worship centered on His presence.

Priestly garments for Aaron and sons: ephod, breastpiece, robe, and holy crown—beauty and glory for ministry before God. In the tabernacle instructions, God shows how He will dwell in their midst. This passage belongs in that movement: Exodus 28:15-30 is not an isolated anecdote but a step in God’s unfolding purpose. Read Exodus as Christian Scripture: Passover lamb, sea crossing, manna, and tabernacle find their yes in Jesus Christ.

A pastoral word for today: Prepare a concrete space or time for meeting God with reverence this week.

Hold rescue and holiness together. Exodus never frees Israel to invent their own gods, yet never abandons them after failure. That combination is good news for imperfect churches learning to follow the Redeemer. Keep Exodus 28:15-30 inside that larger mercy.

If Exodus 28:15-30 feels technical or detailed, read it as love’s precision. God cares how He is approached and how neighbors are treated; every specification serves presence, justice, or memory.

As you sit with Exodus 28:15-30, ask what it shows you about the God who redeems, commands, and dwells with His people. Exodus is not only ancient national memory; it is living Scripture that forms faith, repentance, and worship. Let the text steady your trust in the LORD’s faithful character.

Context

Chapter 28 in Exodus: Priestly garments for Aaron and sons: ephod, breastpiece, robe, and holy crown—beauty and glory for ministry before God.

Tabernacle instruction movement (Exodus 25–31): pattern for God’s dwelling, priesthood, and Sabbath.

Audience

Worshipers valuing God’s dwelling and ordered holiness

Themes

  • Tabernacle
  • Presence
  • Worship
  • Pattern

Keywords

breastplate · judgment · skillful · workman · purple · scarlet · twined · square