Exodus 28:7 — Word Study
WLCשְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת יִֽהְיֶה־ לּ֛וֹ אֶל־ שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָ֖יו וְחֻבָּֽר׃
BSAIt shall havehâyâh▸ twoshᵉnayim [a pair, dual] shoulder pieceskâthêph [upper ends of the arm, where garments hang] attachedchâbar atʼêl twoshᵉnayim [a pair, dual] of its cornersqâtsâh [ends, edges] so it can be fastenedchâbar [to unite, join together, charming or spellbinding, joined together, closed]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שְׁתֵּ֧י | two | Adj |
| כְתֵפֹ֣ת | shoulder-pieces | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת | joined | Verb, Qal, participle (active) feminine plural |
| יִֽהְיֶה־ | it will be[long] | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לּ֛וֹ | to it | Preposition, suffix |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| שְׁנֵ֥י | [the] two | Adj |
| קְצוֹתָ֖יו | ends its | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| וְחֻבָּֽר׃ | and it will be joined together | Verb, Pual, sequential perfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened. |
| KJV | It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. |
| ASV | It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together. |
| YLT | it hath two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined. |
| WEB | It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. |
| BBE | It is to have two bands stitched to it at the top of the arms, joining it together. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two subordinate phrases that clarify the attachment and purpose of the shoulder pieces.





6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָבַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 28:7
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for the Priestly Garmentsgenerated
Exodus 28:7 provides specific instructions for the construction of the ephod, a sacred garment worn by the high priest. This verse highlights the importance of the shoulder pieces, which are essential for fastening the garment securely. The ephod represents the priest's role in mediating between God and the people, as seen in the broader context of Exodus 28 where detailed guidelines for priestly attire are given.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 39:4 | They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שְׁנַיִם, she.Teigenerated
The word שְׁנַיִם (shnayim) means 'two' and denotes a pair or duality. It serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number, indicating the concept of pairs, such as two witnesses or two tablets. Its dual form emphasizes the significance of having two shoulder pieces in the construction of the ephod.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where duality is essential. The parsing as an adjective highlights its role in describing the specific number of shoulder pieces required for the ephod.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses two for שְׁנַיִם and shoulder pieces for כְתֵפֹת.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is יִֽהְיֶה, it will be, which governs the entire clause. The structure indicates that the ephod will have two shoulder pieces, with additional phrases providing details about their attachment.
The phrase שְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת serves as a noun phrase indicating the subject, while the prepositional phrases clarify the location of the shoulder pieces. The Hebrew word order emphasizes the duality and the specific function of the shoulder pieces.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שְׁנַיִם is rendered as δύο, which directly corresponds to the Hebrew meaning of 'two.' This translation maintains the duality emphasized in the original text.
The term for shoulder pieces, כְתֵפֹת, is translated as ἐπωμίδες, indicating the same concept of garments worn on the shoulders, preserving the functional aspect of the ephod.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 28:7 explains that the ephod, a priestly garment, must have two shoulder pieces attached at its corners. This design ensures that the ephod can be fastened securely, highlighting the importance of unity and functionality in the priestly attire.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The two shoulder pieces serve to secure the ephod, symbolizing the importance of stability and support in the priestly role.
Finely spun linen represents purity and quality, suitable for garments worn in sacred service.
To be 'attached' indicates that the shoulder pieces are securely fastened, ensuring the integrity of the ephod during use.
This verse is part of detailed instructions for the priestly garments, emphasizing the importance of proper attire for mediating between God and the people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What do the two shoulder pieces symbolize in the context of the ephod?
- How can we apply the principles of unity and support seen in the ephod to our own lives?
- In what ways does the design of the ephod reflect the holiness required in serving God?
- How does understanding the details of the ephod enhance our appreciation for the priestly role in ancient Israel?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 28:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIt shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof,.... Which were two pieces that joined to the ephod, reaching from the arm holes to the shoulders both on the right and left, coming from before and
Read John Gill on Exodus 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. Ephod.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe two shoulder-pieces were two parts of the ephod going up from the body of the ephod, the one before, the other behind, which when the priest had put over his head, were tied together, and covered the priest’ s shoulders, and part of his back and breast.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) The two shoulder pieces thereof.—Rather, two shoulder pieces.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. Read with Sam. LXX. and Exodus 39:4 : It shall have two shoulder-straps joined (to it): at its two (top) edges shall it be joined (ιηαψ for εηαψ). The ephod went closely round the body; and it was supported by two straps passing over the shoulders, and attached in front and behind to its top edges.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. Two shoulderpieces — Hence the ephod is called, by the Septuagint translators, επωμις, and the Vulgate, superhumerale, a garment to be worn upon the shoulder.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 28 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.
It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be joined together.
Tyndale line
It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together.
It shall have two shoulderpieces joined to the two ends thereof; that it may be joined together.
It shall have the two shoulder-pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
The two shoulders thereof shalbe ioyned together by their two edges: so shall it be closed.
Strictly literal
It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined at the two ends thereof, where it is joined together.
it hath two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined.
it has two shoulders joining at its two ends, and it is joined.
Two shoulder-pieces shall it have joined at the two edges thereof; by which it shall be joined together.
It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two upper corners.
From the Latin
It shall have the two edges joined in the top on both sides, that they may be closed together.
Simplified
Two shoulder pieces are to be attached to the front and back pieces.
It is to have two bands stitched to it at the top of the arms, joining it together.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all nine words of this verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, shows five differences: it uses כתפות (shoulder), חברות (be united), על (upon), קצתיו (end), and יחבר (be united), indicating variations in the wording but maintaining the overall meaning.
שְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת יִֽהְיֶה־ לּ֛וֹ אֶל־ שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָ֖יו וְחֻבָּֽר׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
שׁתי כתפות חברות יהיה לו על שׁני קצתיו יחבר
5 words differ from the Masoretic Text: כתפות (shoulder), חברות (be united), על (upon), קצתיו (end), יחבר (be united)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 28:7
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.
שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two
base
H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two
8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim
dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also
(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +
twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
see HEBREW for 08145
שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.
1) two
1a) two (the cardinal number)
1a1) two, both, double, twice
1b) second (the ordinal number)
1c) in combination with other numbers
1d) both (a dual number)
Adj — AdjHAcfdc
too.
See NUMBER.
כָּתֵף (katheph) means 'shoulder' and can refer to the shoulder-blade, side, or slope of a mountain. It is derived from a root meaning to clothe, indicating the shoulder as the place where garments hang. The term can also describe shoulder-pieces of animals and supports, as well as lateral projections.
כָּתֵף n.f. shoulder, shoulder-blade, side
base
H3802 כָּתֵף shoulder, shoulder-blade, side
3802 katheph kaw-thafe'
from an unused root meaning to clothe; the shoulder (proper,
i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the
garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection
of anything:--arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side,
undersetter.
כָּתֵף (ka.teph) — shoulder.
1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope
1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man)
1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals)
1c) side, slope (of mountain)
1d) supports (of laver)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
Pieces
(1) of silver. In Ps. 68:30 denotes “fragments,” and not properly money. In 1 Sam. 2:36 (Heb. agorah), properly a “small sum” as wages, weighed rather than coined. Josh. 24:32 (Heb. kesitah, q.v.), supposed by some to have been a piece of money bearing the figure of a lamb, but rather simply a certain amount. (Comp. Gen. 33:19).
(2.) The word pieces is omitted in many passages, as Gen. 20:16; 37:28; 45:22, etc. The passage in Zech. 11:12, 13 is quoted in the Gospel (Matt. 26:15), and from this we…
חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense, but can also refer to tying magic spells or charms. It encompasses various forms of joining, including making alliances or being in fellowship. The verb appears in different stems, indicating nuances like being allied or compacted, but no significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[חָבַר] vb. unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm
Qal
unite, be joined
tie magic knots, charm
Pi.
make an ally of, unite one with
unite, join (trans.)
Pu.
be allied with
be united to = be one of
be joined together
Hiph. I could make a joining with words
Hithp. join oneself to, make an alliance with
base
H2266 חָבַר unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm
2266 chabar khaw-bar'
a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively);
specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er),
be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up,
join (self, together), league.
חָבַר (cha.var) — to unite.
1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to unite, be joined
1a2) to tie magic charms, charm
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to unite with, make an ally of
1b2) to unite, join, ally
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be allied with, be united
1c2) to be joined together
1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words)
1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine pluralHVqrfpa
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
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
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
שְׁנַ֫יִם (shnayim) means 'two' and serves as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It can denote 'both,' 'double,' or 'twice,' and is used in various combinations with other numbers. The word is derived as a dual form of שָׁנָה (shanah), which relates to the concept of pairs.
שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם 768 n.m. et f. du. two
base
H8147 שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם two
8147 shnayim shen-ah'-yim
dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also
(as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, +
twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
see HEBREW for 08145
שְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) — two.
1) two
1a) two (the cardinal number)
1a1) two, both, double, twice
1b) second (the ordinal number)
1c) in combination with other numbers
1d) both (a dual number)
Adj — AdjHAcbdc
too.
See NUMBER.
קָצָה (qatsah) refers to an end or extremity, indicating a termination point. It can denote a coast, corner, or edge, and is derived from the related word קָצָה (qatsah), which shares similar meanings. The entries collectively emphasize its use in describing boundaries or limits.
קָצָה n.f. et (pl.) m. end
base
H7098 קָצָה end
7098 qatsah kaw-tsaw'
feminine of 7097; a termination (used like 7097):--coast,
corner, (selv-)edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle
see HEBREW for 07097
see HEBREW for 07097
קָצָה (qa.tsah) — end.
1) end, extremity
1a) end
1b) from the whole of, from among (of what is included between extremities)
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp3ms
חָבַר (chabar) means to unite or join together, often in a figurative sense, but can also refer to tying magic spells or charms. It encompasses various forms of joining, including making alliances or being in fellowship. The verb appears in different stems, indicating nuances like being allied or compacted, but no significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[חָבַר] vb. unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm
Qal
unite, be joined
tie magic knots, charm
Pi.
make an ally of, unite one with
unite, join (trans.)
Pu.
be allied with
be united to = be one of
be joined together
Hiph. I could make a joining with words
Hithp. join oneself to, make an alliance with
base
H2266 חָבַר unite (usu. intr.), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm
2266 chabar khaw-bar'
a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively);
specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate:--charm(- er),
be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up,
join (self, together), league.
חָבַר (cha.var) — to unite.
1) to unite, join, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, heap up, have fellowship with, be compact, be a charmer
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to unite, be joined
1a2) to tie magic charms, charm
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to unite with, make an ally of
1b2) to unite, join, ally
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be allied with, be united
1c2) to be joined together
1d) (Hiphil) to join together, pile up (words)
1e) (Hithpael) to join oneself to, make an alliance, league together
Conj | V-Pual-3ms — Verb · Pual · sequential perfect third person masculine singularHc/VPq3ms
