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.

EXODUS 28:12KJV
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Exodus 28:12 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:12 mean?

Exodus 28:12 describes how two special stones were to be placed on the shoulders of the ephod, a sacred garment worn by Aaron, as a memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron was to carry the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders before the LORD as a lasting reminder.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions about the priestly garments for Aaron, the first high priest. The two stones, set on the ephod’s shoulders, each had the names of six tribes of Israel engraved on them. This act symbolized that Aaron, as high priest, represented all the people of Israel before God, carrying their names and their memory into God’s presence.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:12

  • "memorial" (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron): This word means a reminder or something that causes remembrance. Here, it highlights that the stones were not just decorative but served to keep the people of Israel continually in mind before God.
  • "bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This word means to lift, carry, or bear. The idea is that Aaron was literally and symbolically carrying the names of the tribes, showing his role as their representative.
  • "shoulders" (כָּתֵף, katef): The shoulders are a place of strength and responsibility. Placing the stones here underlines the weight and importance of Aaron's duty to the people.

Why Exodus 28:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the high priest’s role was deeply connected to the people, not just to God; Aaron was to represent every tribe before the LORD, not just himself or his family.
  • The emphasis on "memorial" shows that God wanted the people of Israel to be remembered and present symbolically in the worship and rituals of the tabernacle.
  • Understanding the placement of the stones on the shoulders helps explain the seriousness and honor of the priestly office—carrying the people’s names was both a privilege and a responsibility.

Where else these words appear

“memorial” Hebrew H2146 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
  • Numbers 5:15 Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
  • Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

“ephod” Hebrew H646 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 39:2 And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
  • Judges 18:18 And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?

“shoulders” Hebrew H3802 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 27:14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
  • Joshua 18:16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,
  • Isaiah 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.