Exodus 28:16
Exodus 28:16 in Multiple Translations
It must be square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
Foursquare it shall be and double; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof.
It is to be square, folded in two, a hand-stretch long and a hand-stretch wide.
It has to be square when folded, measuring around nine inches in length and width.
Foure square it shall be and double, an hand bredth long and an hand bredth broade.
it is square, doubled, a span its length, and a span its breadth.
It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length, and a span its width.
Foursquare it shall be, being doubled; a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its breadth.
It shall be foursquare and doubled: it shall be the measure of a span both in length and in breadth.
It is to be square, and the material must be folded double, so that it is ◄9 in./22 cm.► on each side.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 28:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 28:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רָב֥וּעַ
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
כָּפ֑וּל
זֶ֥רֶת
אָרְכּ֖/וֹ
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
רָחְבּֽ/וֹ
רָב֥וּעַ
râbaʻ
H7251
to square
V-Qal-Inf-c
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כָּפ֑וּל
kâphal
H3717
to double
V-Qal-Inf-c
זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
span
N-fs
אָרְכּ֖/וֹ
ʼôrek
H753
length
N-ms | Suff
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
span
Conj | N-fs
רָחְבּֽ/וֹ
rôchab
H7341
width
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 28:16
רָב֥וּעַ
râbaʻ
H7251
"to square"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to make something square or four-sided, like a square-shaped building. It is used to describe something with four equal sides. In the Bible, it is used to describe the shape of the altar in Ezekiel's vision.
Definition: 1) to square, be squared 1a) (Qal) square (participle) 1b) (Pual) square (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: (four-) square(-d). See also: Exodus 27:1; 1 Kings 7:5; Ezekiel 45:2.
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כָּפ֑וּל
kâphal
H3717
"to double"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This verb means to double or repeat something, like folding something together. In the Bible, it can mean to repeat a task or action. The KJV translates it as double.
Definition: 1) to double, fold double, double over 1a) (Qal) to double over 1b) (Niphal) to be doubled
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: double. See also: Exodus 26:9; Exodus 39:9; Ezekiel 21:19.
זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
"span"
N-fs
A span is a unit of measure, about half a cubit, or the distance from thumb to little finger on an outstretched hand. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe length.
Definition: 1) span 1a) a unit of measure, approx half-cubit, or the distance from the thumb to the little finger on an outstretched hand
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: span. See also: Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4; Isaiah 40:12.
אָרְכּ֖/וֹ
ʼôrek
H753
"length"
N-ms | Suff
Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.
Definition: 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] forever, length, long. See also: Genesis 6:15; Psalms 93:5; Psalms 21:5.
וְ/זֶ֥רֶת
zereth
H2239
"span"
Conj | N-fs
A span is a unit of measure, about half a cubit, or the distance from thumb to little finger on an outstretched hand. It appears in the Bible as a way to describe length.
Definition: 1) span 1a) a unit of measure, approx half-cubit, or the distance from the thumb to the little finger on an outstretched hand
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: span. See also: Exodus 28:16; 1 Samuel 17:4; Isaiah 40:12.
רָחְבּֽ/וֹ
rôchab
H7341
"width"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means width or breadth, used to describe physical size or space. It appears in the Bible to describe the width of the earth or a room. In the KJV, it is translated as breadth or broad.
Definition: breadth, width, expanse
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. See also: Genesis 6:15; Ezekiel 40:13; Isaiah 8:8.
Study Notes — Exodus 28:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Exodus 28:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 28:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 28:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 28:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
Context — The Breastpiece
14and two chains of pure gold, made of braided cord work; and attach these chains to the settings.
15You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
16It must be square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
17And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; 18in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;Exodus 28:16 Summary
The breastpiece being square when folded over double, as described in Exodus 28:16, shows us that God values perfection and completeness. This reminds us of God's perfect nature, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. Just like the high priest had to follow God's instructions carefully, we too should strive to obey God's commands in our lives, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 11:1 and Matthew 22:37-40. By doing so, we demonstrate our love and commitment to Him, and we can trust that He will guide us in our decisions and actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the breastpiece being square when folded over double?
The square shape of the breastpiece, as described in Exodus 28:16, signifies perfection and completeness, reflecting God's perfect judgment and righteousness, as seen in Exodus 28:15 and supported by the holy nature of God in Leviticus 11:44-45.
Why is the breastpiece made to be a span long and a span wide?
The dimensions of the breastpiece, being a span long and a span wide, as stated in Exodus 28:16, demonstrate the careful and precise instructions given by God for the construction of the priestly garments, emphasizing the importance of obedience and attention to detail, as also seen in Exodus 25:9 and Exodus 31:6-11.
How does the description of the breastpiece in Exodus 28:16 relate to the high priest's role?
The breastpiece, as described in Exodus 28:16, was a crucial part of the high priest's garments, symbolizing his role in making judgments and interceding on behalf of the people, as explained in Exodus 28:29-30 and supported by the broader context of the high priest's responsibilities in Leviticus 10:10-11 and Numbers 27:21.
What can we learn from the precise measurements and materials used in the breastpiece?
The precise measurements and materials used in the breastpiece, as outlined in Exodus 28:16, teach us about the importance of following God's instructions and the value of careful craftsmanship, as also demonstrated in the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 35:30-35 and the wisdom of the skilled workers in Exodus 36:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What does the square shape of the breastpiece teach me about God's character and how can I apply this to my life?
- How can I, like the high priest, seek to follow God's instructions precisely in my own life and decisions?
- What role does obedience play in my relationship with God, and how can I demonstrate my commitment to following His commands?
- In what ways can I, like the skilled workers who made the breastpiece, use my talents and skills to serve God and others?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 28:16
Four square it shall be, [being] doubled,.... That is, when it was doubled; for the length of it, according to Maimonides (c), was a cubit, which is two spans, and so, when it was doubled, was but
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 28:16
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
It was doubled for greater strength, that it might better support and secure the precious stones which were put into it, and that it might receive the Urim and Thummim, .
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
(16) Foursquare it shall be.—On the idea of perfection connected with the square, see Note on Exodus 27:1. But for this, twelve gems would probably have been arranged in the shape of an oblong. Doubled.—Symmachus translates khoshen by δόχιον, “a receptacle” or “bag;” and if the Urim and the Thummim, being material objects, were to be “put in” it (Exodus 28:30), such a construction would seem to have been absolutely necessary. Hence the “doubling,” which would not have been needed merely for strength, since linen corselets, stout enough to resist the blow of a sword, were among the manufactures of Egypt, and could no doubt have been produced by the Hebrews. A span.—The “span” was reckoned at half a cubit, or about nine inches.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
Verse 16. Four-square it shall be] Here we have the exact dimensions of this breastplate, or more properly breast-piece or stomacher. It was a span in length and breadth when doubled, and consequently two spans long one way before it was doubled. Between these doublings, it is supposed, the Urim and Thummim were placed. See Clarke on Exodus 28:30.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 28:16
16. double] More clearly, doubled, viz. so as to form a bag or pouch. a span] ½ a cubit, or 9 inches. A piece of material, a cubit long and ½ a cubit broad, was to be doubled over, and sewn together, so as to form a pouch ½ a cubit square.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 28:16
16. Foursquare it shall be… doubled — Being a span, that is, half a cubit (about 9.5 inches) in length and breadth, the doubling or folding of it would form a kind of bag, adapted to contain the Urim and Thummim.