And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

EXODUS 28:17KJV
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Exodus 28:17 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:17 mean?

Exodus 28:17 gives part of the instructions for decorating the breastpiece worn by Israel’s priest. God tells Moses that the stones are to be arranged in four rows, and names the three stones for the first row: sardius, topaz, and carbuncle.

The “settings” are the places where the stones are held in the breastpiece. The verse begins a detailed description of their arrangement, following the instructions for making the breastpiece itself.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:17

  • “set” — מָלֵא (maleʾ): The word can mean “fill.” Here it pictures the breastpiece being filled with stones arranged in their places.
  • “settings” — מִלֻּאָה (milluʾah): This word can refer to a filling or something set in place. In this verse, it points to the mounted stones as part of the breastpiece’s design.

Why Exodus 28:17 matters

  • The stone names identify the first row, but their exact modern equivalents are uncertain. Ancient names for gems do not always match the names used by jewelers today.
  • The arrangement belongs to a larger pattern tied to Israel’s people. Exodus 28:21 says the stones are to bear the names of Israel’s twelve sons, one name on each stone.
  • The stones are part of a garment with a specific use. Exodus 28:29 says Aaron is to carry those names over his heart when he enters the holy place.

Where else these words appear

“settings” Hebrew H4396 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
  • Exodus 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.

“sardius” Hebrew H124 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 39:10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
  • Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

“carbuncle” Hebrew H1304 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 39:10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
  • Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

“topaz” Hebrew H6357 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 39:10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
  • Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
  • Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.