What does Exodus 39:19 mean?
"And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward." - Exodus 39:19

Exodus 39:19 states in the King James Version: "And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward."
To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to examine the context in which it appears. The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. In the preceding chapters, the Israelites have been instructed by God through Moses to construct the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among his people. The tabernacle was to be a place of worship, sacrifice, and communion with God, and its construction required precise adherence to God's instructions.
In this verse, we see the craftsmen of the tabernacle following God's commands by fashioning two rings of gold and placing them on the two ends of the breastplate. The breastplate was a significant part of the high priest's attire, and it was adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These rings of gold served a practical purpose, as they were used to attach the breastplate to the ephod, a garment worn by the high priest. However, their significance goes beyond their utilitarian function.
One of the key themes in this verse is the importance of obedience and attention to detail in the service of God. The Israelites were not to deviate from God's instructions in any way when constructing the tabernacle, as doing so would compromise its holiness and effectiveness as a place of communication with God. The meticulous crafting of the rings of gold and their precise placement on the breastplate demonstrate the Israelites' commitment to following God's commands with care and reverence.
Furthermore, the use of gold as the material for the rings carries symbolic weight. Gold is often associated with purity, value, and divine presence in the Bible. In this context, the use of gold underscores the sacred nature of the tabernacle and its furnishings, and by extension, the holiness of God himself. The placement of the rings on the breastplate, which symbolized the high priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, also speaks to the importance of the priestly office and the need for proper reverence and order in approaching God.
The imagery of the rings of gold and their attachment to the breastplate can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the unity and connection between God and his people. Just as the rings firmly bound the breastplate to the ephod, so too does God desire to be securely connected to his people. The attention to detail in the construction of the tabernacle communicates the idea that God values a close, intimate relationship with his people, and that this relationship is to be approached with reverence and precision.
In conclusion, Exodus 39:19 is a verse that may seem mundane at first glance, but upon closer examination, it reveals profound insights into the nature of God, the importance of obedience, and the symbolism of materials and objects in the service of God. It serves as a reminder of the significance of every detail in the worship and service of God, and the need for attentiveness and reverence in our approach to him.
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Exodus 39:19 Artwork
Exodus 39:19 - "And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward."
"And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward." - Exodus 39:19
Exodus 39:37
Exodus 39:37
Exodus 39:37
Exodus 39:39 - "The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,"
Exodus 39:12 - "And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst."
Exodus 39:36 - "The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,"
Exodus 39:11 - "And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond."
Exodus 39:35 - "The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,"
Exodus 39:22 - "¶ And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue."
Exodus 39:4 - "They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together."
Exodus 25:39 - "Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels."
Exodus 39:15 - "And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold."
Exodus 39:17 - "And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate."
Exodus 39:27 - "¶ And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,"
Exodus 39:38 - "And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,"
Exodus 39:13 - "And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings."
Exodus 39:2 - "And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen."
Exodus 39:24 - "And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen."
Joshua 19:39 - "This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages."
Exodus 39:34 - "And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,"
Exodus 39:31 - "And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Exodus 39:42 - "According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work."
Exodus 39:23 - "And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend."
Exodus 39:29 - "And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses."
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."
"And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst." - Exodus 39:12
"The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread," - Exodus 39:36
Exodus 39:6 - "¶ And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel."