Exodus 28:21

19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

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

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.

23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

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
The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
KJV
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
WEB
The 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.
ASV
And the stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, every one according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes.
DARBY
And the stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, engraved as a seal: every one according to his name shall they be for the twelve tribes.
BLB
And the stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel, two [and] ten, according to their names, the engravings of a signet, each one according to his name, they shall be for the two [and] ten tribes.
ÅB
steinene skal være tolv i tallet, etter navnene på Israels sønner, en for hvert navn; på hver stein skal navnet på en av de tolv stammer være innskåret slik som på et signet.
OTB
Det skal være tolv steiner, én for hvert av navnene på Israels sønner, hver gravert som et segl med navnet på en av de tolv stammene.
B1930
Stenene skal være tolv i tallet, efter navnene på Israels sønner, en for hvert navn; på hver sten skal navnet på en av de tolv stammer være innskåret likesom på et signet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Revelation 7:4–8

    And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 21:12

    And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 18:31

    And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

    Read in context
  • James 1:1

    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

    Read in context
  • Luke 22:30

    That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

    Read in context