And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

EXODUS 28:18KJV
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Exodus 28:18 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:18 mean?

Exodus 28:18 describes the second row of precious stones that were to be set into the breastplate worn by Israel’s high priest, listing them as an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. This verse is part of detailed instructions for making the high priest’s special garments, emphasizing the beauty and significance of each stone.

God is speaking to Moses, giving him specific directions for the design of the high priest’s breastplate, which would be worn during important religious ceremonies. Each stone in the breastplate represented one of the tribes of Israel, and the careful listing of the stones in Exodus 28:18 shows the value and individuality of each tribe in God’s sight.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:18

  • "emerald" (בָּרֶקֶת, bareqet): This word is often understood as referring to a bright green gemstone, possibly an emerald or a similar stone. The exact identification is uncertain, but the emphasis is on its brilliance and value.
  • "sapphire" (סַפִּיר, sappir): This word is usually associated with a deep blue gemstone, likely what we call sapphire today. In the ancient world, it symbolized purity and preciousness.
  • "diamond" (יָהֲלֹם, yahalom): The Hebrew word here may not refer to the modern diamond but to a very hard stone, possibly jasper or another durable gem. The focus is on its strength and enduring quality.

Why Exodus 28:18 matters

  • This verse highlights the care and detail God required in the high priest’s garments, showing that beauty and craftsmanship were important in worship.
  • By naming each stone, Exodus 28:18 underlines the individuality and worth of each tribe of Israel, as each stone stood for a specific tribe.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew words helps clarify that the exact types of stones may differ from modern names, but the main point is their value and significance in representing the people before God.

Where else these words appear

“diamond” Hebrew H3095 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
  • 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.

“emerald” Hebrew H5306 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
  • Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
  • 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.

“sapphire” Hebrew H5601 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 24:10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
  • Job 28:16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
  • Lamentations 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

“row” Hebrew H2905 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 28:17 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 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
  • 1 Kings 7:18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.