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 28:25KJV
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Exodus 28:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:25 mean?

Exodus 28:25 describes how the chains attached to the priest’s breastpiece were to be secured to his clothing. Their free ends were to be fastened to settings on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, a special garment worn by the priest.

God is giving Moses instructions for Aaron’s priestly clothing. After the chains have been attached to the breastpiece, this verse describes where their other ends go. The result is a connection between the breastpiece and the front of the shoulderpieces.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:25

  • “wreathen” — עָבֹת (ʿavot): This word carries the sense of something twisted or braided. It describes the chains’ cord-like appearance.
  • “ouches” — מִשְׁבְּצוֹת (mishbetsot): These are settings or mountings. In the KJV, “ouches” refers to the fittings on the shoulderpieces, not to pockets.
  • “shoulderpieces” — כְּתֵפֹת (ketefot): The word refers to shoulder parts. Here it identifies the parts of the ephod where the chain ends are secured.

Why Exodus 28:25 matters

  • The breastpiece was meant to stay connected to the ephod. The chains link its upper ends to the settings, while verses 27–28 describe another fastening near its lower edge.
  • The connection places the breastpiece on the front of the priest’s garment. The KJV says the fittings are put on the shoulderpieces “before it,” meaning toward the front of the ephod.
  • The breastpiece had a particular role in the clothing. Its stones bore the names of Israel’s tribes, according to Exodus 28:21, so the fastenings helped hold those named stones in place.

Where else these words appear

“ouches” Hebrew H4865 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 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 28:14 And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.
  • 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.

“wreathen” Hebrew H5688 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 28:14 And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.
  • Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
  • Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

“ends” Hebrew H7098 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
  • Exodus 37:7 And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;
  • 1 Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

“it” Hebrew H4136 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
  • Joshua 22:11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.