Exodus 39

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXXIX. Ver. 3. Beat the gold.—{For the purpose, as it is supposed, of cutting it into wires. pethalim, threads, from pathal, to twist, twine. Some, with Bp. Patrick, have supposed, they had not then the art of making gold thread; but this seems improbable, as they possessed several ornamental arts of far more difficult acquirement. In the present instance, it is probable figures made in a more solid form than could have been effected by gold thread might have been required; as narrow filaments, cut out of thin plates, appear more suitable to embroider the ephod, and at the same time would be more

Ver. 6. Onyz-stone.—Shoham, the meaning of which is not easily determined. It has been variously rendered a beryl, emerald, prasius, sapphire, sardius, ruby, carnelian, onyx, and sardonyx.

It is probable that it may signify both the onyx and sardonyx. This latter stone is a mixture of the chalcedony and carnelian, sometimes in strata, and at other times blended together, and is found striped with white and red strata, or layers. It is generally allowed, that there is no real difference, except in hardness, between the carnelian, chalcedony, agate, Netice ats“ and onyx. The onyx, it is well known, is of a darkish horny colour, resembling the nail or hoof, from which circumstance it has its name. It has often a plate of a diweish white or red in it, and when on one or both sides of this white, there appears a plate of a reddish colour, the jewellers, says Woodward, call the stone a sardonyx.

— Bagster. Ver. 11. Diamond.—Yahalom, probably the diamond, so called from halam, to beat, smite, because of its extreme hardness, by which it will beat to pieces the other stones. It is a fine pellucid substance, never debased with any