Exodus 28:12

¹⁰ six of their names on one stone and the remaining six on the other, in the order of their birth.

¹¹ Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings.

Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

¹³ Fashion gold filigree settings

¹⁴ and two chains of pure gold, made of braided cord work; and attach these chains to the settings.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.
KJV: And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
WEB: You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial.
ASV: And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
DARBY: And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod [as] stones of memorial for the children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
BLB: And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod, stones of memorial for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the face of YHWH on his two shoulders for a memorial.

ÅB: Og du skal sette begge steinene på livkjortelens skulderstykker, for at de skal minne om Israels barn; og når Aron står for Herrens åsyn, skal han bære deres navn på begge sine skuldrer for å minne om dem.
OTB: Fest steinene til skulderstykkene på efoden som minnesmerker for Israels sønner. Aron skal bære deres navn på sine skuldre som et minnesmerke for Herren.
B1930: Og du skal sette begge stenene på livkjortelens skulderstykker, forat de skal minne om Israels barn; og når Aron står for Herrens åsyn, skal han bære deres navn på begge sine skuldrer for å minne om dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Exodus 28:29
Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD.
Read in context
Joshua 4:7
you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”
Read in context
Exodus 39:6–7
They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
Read in context
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Read in context
Numbers 16:40
just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Read in context
Numbers 31:54
And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.
Read in context
Leviticus 24:7
And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Read in context
Psalms 89:19
You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
Read in context