Discovery BoxExodus 28:9-11 
Context28:9 “You are to take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 1 28:10 six 2 of their names on one stone, and the six remaining names on the second stone, according to the order of their birth. 3 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; 4 you are to have them set 5 in gold filigree 6 settings.
Exodus 28:21
Context28:21 The stones are to be for the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to the number of 7 their names. Each name according to the twelve tribes is to be like 8 the engravings of a seal.
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 tn This is in apposition to the direct object of the verb “engrave.” It further defines how the names were to be engraved – six on one and the other six on the other.
3 tn Heb “according to their begettings” (the major word in the book of Genesis). What is meant is that the names would be listed in the order of their ages.
4 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.
5 tn Or “you will mount them” (NRSV similar).
6 tn Or “rosettes,” shield-like frames for the stones. The Hebrew word means “to plait, checker.”
7 tn For clarity the words “the number of” have been supplied.
8 tn The phrase translated “the engravings of a seal” is an adverbial accusative of manner here.
