Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

EXODUS 28:10KJV
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Exodus 28:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:10 mean?

Exodus 28:10 describes how the names of the sons of Israel were to be engraved on two stones, with six names on one stone and the other six on the second stone, arranged according to their birth order. This instruction is part of the directions for making the high priest’s garments, specifically the ephod.

God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for the priestly garments that Aaron and his sons will wear. The two stones, each engraved with six names, were to be placed on the shoulders of the high priest as a memorial of the twelve tribes of Israel. The arrangement by birth order emphasizes the importance of each tribe and their shared heritage.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:10

  • שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8337) means "six." The repetition of this word highlights the equal division of the twelve tribes’ names between the two stones.
  • שֵׁם (shem, H8034) means "name." The use of this word underlines the personal representation of each tribe on the stones.
  • לֵדָה (ledah, H8435) means "birth." This word shows that the names were not listed randomly but followed the order of the sons’ births, reinforcing the historical and familial structure of Israel.

Why Exodus 28:10 matters

  • Exodus 28:10 clarifies that every tribe was represented equally and specifically by name on the high priest’s garments, not just as a group but as individuals.
  • The verse’s emphasis on birth order shows the careful attention to Israel’s history and lineage, which was important for identity and inheritance.
  • This detail connects to the larger theme of remembrance and representation before God, as the high priest carried the names of all the tribes into the holy place, symbolizing their presence before God.

Where else these words appear

“birth” Hebrew H8435 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
  • Numbers 1:40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

“rest” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: