With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

EXODUS 28:11KJV
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Exodus 28:11 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:11 mean?

Exodus 28:11 gives instructions for making two stones for the clothing of Aaron, Israel’s priest. The stones are to carry the names of Israel’s children and be mounted in gold. Their careful workmanship makes the names a visible part of Aaron’s clothing.

God is giving these instructions to Moses. The engraving is to be like that on a signet, a seal used to make a distinctive impression. The comparison calls for the kind of skilled cutting used on a small, important object.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:11

  • “signet” — חוֹתָם (ḥotam): A signet is a seal, often engraved with a design or identifying mark. The comparison helps explain the precise kind of stonework in view.
  • “ouches” — מִשְׁבְּצוֹת (mishbetsot): The word refers to settings or mounts. In the KJV, “ouches of gold” means gold fittings made to hold the stones.

Why Exodus 28:11 matters

  • The names identify the people represented by the stones. Verse 10 specifies six names on each stone, arranged according to birth.
  • The stones have a place and purpose on Aaron’s clothing. Verse 12 puts them on the shoulder pieces and calls them “stones of memorial,” so Aaron carries the names before the Lord.
  • The gold settings are part of how the stones are attached. In verses 13–14, the settings are joined with gold chains, connecting the stonework to the rest of the clothing.

Where else these words appear

“set” Hebrew H4142 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 39:6 And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
  • Exodus 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
  • Numbers 32:38 And Nebo, and Baalmeon,(their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.

“ouches” Hebrew H4865 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 28:13 And thou shalt make ouches of gold;
  • Exodus 28:25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
  • Exodus 39:16 And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.

“engravings” Hebrew H6603 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 28:21 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.
  • Exodus 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

“signet” Hebrew H2368 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
  • Exodus 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
  • Job 41:15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.