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

EXODUS 39:11KJV
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Exodus 39:11 (KJV)

What does Exodus 39:11 mean?

Exodus 39:11 lists the three stones that made up the second row on the high priest’s breastplate: an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. This verse is part of a detailed description of how the sacred garments for Aaron, the high priest, were crafted according to God’s instructions.

In this passage, skilled workers are making the special clothing for Aaron to wear when serving in the tabernacle. Each stone in the breastplate represents one of the tribes of Israel, and the careful listing of each gem shows the care and value placed on every tribe. The verse is part of a larger section that emphasizes obedience to God’s specific directions for worship.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 39:11

  • emerald (בָּרֶקֶת, bareqet): This word is often understood as a bright green gemstone, possibly an emerald or another precious green stone. Its inclusion highlights the beauty and value of the priestly garments.
  • sapphire (סַפִּיר, sappir): This term usually refers to a deep blue stone, likely what we know as sapphire today, though some suggest it could mean lapis lazuli. The color and rarity would have made it stand out on the breastplate.
  • diamond (יָהֲלֹם, yahalom): The exact identification is uncertain, but it is often translated as “diamond.” In ancient times, this may have referred to a hard, sparkling stone, not necessarily the modern diamond.

Why Exodus 39:11 matters

  • This verse shows the importance of following God’s instructions in detail, especially in matters of worship and representation.
  • The careful mention of each stone underlines that every tribe of Israel had a unique and honored place before God.
  • Understanding the specific stones helps readers appreciate the richness and symbolism of the high priest’s garments, which were meant to reflect both beauty and holiness.

Where else these words appear

“diamond” Hebrew H3095 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 28:18 And the second row shall be 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 28:18 And the second row shall be 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.