Exodus 28:9

28:9 “You are to take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, ¹ 

Exodus 28:11

28:11 You are to engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel with the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a seal; ²  you are to have them set ³  in gold filigree ⁴  settings.

Exodus 28:21

28:21 The stones are to be for the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to the number of ⁵  their names. Each name according to the twelve tribes is to be like ⁶  the engravings of a seal.

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¹ tn Although this is normally translated “Israelites,” here a more literal translation is clearer because it refers to the names of the twelve tribes – the actual sons of Israel.

² sn Expert stone or gem engravers were used to engrave designs and names in identification seals of various sizes. It was work that skilled artisans did.

³ tn Or “you will mount them” (NRSV similar).

⁴ tn Or “rosettes,” shield-like frames for the stones. The Hebrew word means “to plait, checker.”

⁵ tn For clarity the words “the number of” have been supplied.

⁶ tn The phrase translated “the engravings of a seal” is an adverbial accusative of manner here.