Exodus 39:15-19 · Bible study
Exodus 39:15-19 Commentary: Gold Chains and the High Priest's Breastplate
Hebrew · 4 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the gold chains linking the high priest’s breastplate to the ephod and the symbolic security of being borne before God.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The gold chains and rings securely attach the breastplate (tribal names) to the ephod, symbolising the high priest’s role of bearing Israel before God and God’s keeping of his people.
- Key words: שַׁרְשְׁרֹת (chains of pure gold), מִשְׁבְּצֹת (filigree settings), טַבְּעֹת (rings). The verb נָתַן (put, set) occurs four times, emphasising the deliberate, obedient action.
- Main debate: No significant interpretative disagreement; the debate is minimal. Some discuss whether the attachment method reflects practical or symbolic priorities, but most agree both are present.
- Theological theme: Security of God’s people in the priestly mediation, fulfilled in Christ who holds believers securely (John 10:28; Jude 1:1).
- Best use: A text for teaching the reliability of God’s design, the obedience of Israel, and the comfort of being held by a mediator.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
15For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.
16They also made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the two rings to the two corners of the breastpiece.
17Then they fastened the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
18and they fastened the other ends of the two chains to the two filigree settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.
19They made two more gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the inside edge next to the ephod.
WEB World English Bible 2000
15They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
16They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front.
19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward.
KJV King James Version 1769
15And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.
16And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
17And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
18And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
19And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
15And they made upon the breastplate chains like cords, of wreathen work of pure gold.
16And they made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
18And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, in the forepart thereof.
19And they made two rings of gold, and put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge thereof, which was toward the side of the ephod inward.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
15And they make on the breastplate wreathed chains, work of thick bands, of pure gold;
16and they make two embroidered things of gold, and two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate,
17and they put the two thick bands of gold on the two rings on the ends of the breastplate;
18and the two ends of the two thick bands they have put on the two embroidered things, and they put them on the shoulders of the ephod, over-against its front.
19And they make two rings of gold, and set them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its border, which is on the side of the ephod within;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
15And they made on the breastplate chains of laced work of wreathen work, of pure gold.
16And they made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17And they put the two wreathen [cords] of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate;
18and the two ends of the two wreathen [cords] they fastened to the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, on the front thereof.
19And they made two rings of gold, and put [them] on the two ends of the breastplate, on the border thereof, which faceth the ephod inwards.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
15They made also in the rational little chains, linked one to another, of the purest gold,
16And two hooks, and as many rings of gold. And they set the rings on either side of the rational,
17On which rings the two golden chains should hang, which they put into the hooks that stood out in the corners of the ephod.
18These both before and behind so answered one another, that the ephod and the rational were bound together,
19Being fastened to the girdle, and strongly coupled with rings, which a violet fillet joined, lest they should flag loose, and be moved one from the other, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 39:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
The supplied commentaries agree that Exodus 39:15-19 faithfully carries out the instructions given in Exodus 28:23-28. Cambridge Bible notes the direct correspondence, especially w.15-16a to Exodus 28:21-22 and the rest to 28:23-28. The breastplate, set with the names of the twelve tribes, is attached to the ephod by gold chains, rings and filigree settings. This attachment was not decorative only: it kept the breastplate secure against the high priest’s chest. Commentators see the careful work in 'pure gold' and 'braided cords' as underscoring the holiness and value of the priestly ministry. The structural link means the high priest bears Israel both on his shoulders (the onyx stones of Exodus 28:12) and on his heart (the breastplate). The consensus is that the passage shows Israel’s faithful obedience to God’s design, and that this design points to the security of God’s people in the ministry of their mediator.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The text describes the construction of the high priest’s breastplate attachments according to God’s precise instructions, with pure gold and secure fastenings that symbolise the priest bearing the tribes before the Lord.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning of the gold chains | The chains serve both a practical function (attachment) and a symbolic one (securing the tribes on the priest's person). | Some traditions stress the physical security of the breastplate as guaranteeing the priest's intercession; others emphasise the decorative beauty as pointing to the glory of Christ's priesthood. |
| Relevance of the Old Testament details | The passage matters because it shows Israel’s exact obedience to God's command. | Some Christians read these details as directly typological of Christ (e.g., chains represent the unbreakable bond of Christ’s love), while others see them primarily as historical narrative establishing the pattern for worship later fulfilled in Christ. |
| Relationship to the New Testament theme of 'keeping' | The secure attachment is seen as a picture of God keeping his people safe. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions often connect the security to the ongoing intercession of the heavenly High Priest and the role of the Church’s priesthood, while Protestant traditions tend to emphasize the direct keeping power of God in Christ without human mediators. |
Historical & Cultural Context
These verses come near the end of the tabernacle construction narrative in Exodus 35-40. The people have responded to God with freewill offerings, and skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 35:30-35) are executing every detail exactly as the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai. The breastplate (choshen) was a square pouch worn over the high priest’s chest, containing the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30). On its front were twelve gems, each engraved with a tribe’s name (Exodus 39:14). The ephod was a sleeveless garment made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet and linen, with two shoulder-pieces that each held an onyx stone engraved with six tribal names (Exodus 28:9-12).
The gold chains described in w.15-19 serve as the physical link between breastplate and ephod. The Hebrew term sharsherot (chains) also appears in Exodus 28:14 and II Chronicles 3:5 for ornamental gold work. The rings (tabba’ot) and filigree settings (mishbetsot) create a system of attachment: two rings on the ends of the breastplate receive the gold chains, which then fasten to settings on the shoulder-pieces. A second set of rings on the lower edge of the breastplate (v.19) connects to the ephod’s rings with a blue lace (v.21), preventing the breastplate from coming loose. Every component, gold, rings, settings, chains, was specified by God to ensure the priestly garments stayed secure during worship. This was not mere ritual precision; the high priest carried the names of the people into the holy place, and the security of the attachment dramatised the security of Israel before God.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants in these verses. Cambridge Bible points to the direct correspondence with Exodus 28:21-28, indicating that the transmission of the passage matches the earlier instruction passage closely. The few minor translation differences (e.g., 'ouches' in KJV vs 'settings' in WEB, 'chains like cords' vs 'braided chains') reflect alternative renderings of the same Hebrew terms, mishbetsot (filigree settings) and sharsherot (chains), rather than textual uncertainty.
Reception History
Church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria (Stromata) interpreted the high priest’s vestments as allegories of the cosmos and of Christ’s person. The gold chains were seen as the bond of wisdom or the unbreakable connection between the incarnation and the divine. During the Reformation, commentators like Matthew Henry focused on the obedience of the craftsmen and the security of the believer: just as the breastplate could not come loose, so true believers cannot be separated from Christ. In modern scholarship, the passage is read within the larger narrative of Israel’s covenant faithfulness, emphasizing that every detail matters because it reflects God’s revealed pattern. Across traditions, the gold chains continue to function as a visual reminder that God’s people are held securely before him.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s design demands faithful execution. Every gold ring and chain was made exactly as commanded. Obedience to God’s instructions matters, even in details that seem small. The labour of the craftsmen was an act of worship.
- The high priest bears the people on his heart and shoulders. The breastplate (heart) and ephod (shoulders) both carry the tribal names, linked by gold chains. Israel is held close, symbolising the priest’s intercessory role.
- Christ, our High Priest, holds his people securely. The New Testament echoes this security: Jesus says his sheep will never perish (John 10:28). The gold chains picture a fastening that cannot break, pointing to the keeping power of Christ.
Five-point outline
- Structure of the passage: Five short verses that mirror Exodus 28:23-28 exactly. The repetition underscores that God’s word was followed to the letter.
- Materials used: Pure gold for chains, rings and settings. Gold signifies what is precious, enduring and divine. The priestly ministry is of highest value.
- Method of attachment: Chains looped through rings and fastened to settings. This mechanical detail ensures nothing slips loose.
- Placement of the breastplate: Worn over the heart, ‘toward the ephod inward’ (v.19). The names are closest to the priest’s own life, as the mediator identifies with the people.
- The theological payoff: A God-given system keeps Israel securely before the Lord. Under the new covenant, believers are kept by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:1).
Illustration hooks
- A chain linking a child’s ID bracelet to a parent’s wrist at a busy theme park, visible sign of belonging and security.
- The clean, snug fit of a well-made carabiner when rock climbing, each click confirms the climber is safely attached.
- A locket that holds two photos, pressed against the heart, with a clasp that stays shut even during hard movement.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I be sure God won’t let go of me when I struggle or stumble?
- Does the detail of the Old Testament priesthood still matter for my faith today?
- What does it mean that Jesus ‘bears’ me before the Father, is it active, or just symbolic?
Leading a Discussion
This passage describes the gold chains and rings that fastened the high priest’s breastplate to the ephod. It was a practical detail with deep meaning: the names of the twelve tribes were securely held on the priest’s heart and shoulders. Use these questions to explore what security before God looks like, and how the Old Testament priesthood points to Christ.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about the repeated phrases in these verses? Why do you think the Bible records even the hardware of the priestly garments?
- Read Exodus 28:23-28 side by side with our passage. How do the words compare? What does the exact repetition tell you about God’s character and Israel’s obedience?
- Gold is mentioned five times in these five verses. What does the emphasis on ‘pure gold’ suggest about the value of the priest’s work?
- The breastplate carried the names of the tribes (Exodus 39:14). Why might the attachment system, chains, rings, settings, be so carefully described?
- In the New Testament, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd who holds his sheep (John 10:28). How does the image of gold chains and rings help you understand being ‘kept’ by Christ?
- Some Christians read this passage as a type of Christ as High Priest. Others focus on the importance of obeying God’s instructions. Which reading speaks to you today, and why?
- How does knowing that the high priest once physically carried Israel’s names affect your confidence in approaching God through Jesus?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 28:14 | and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings. |
| II Chronicles 3:5 | He made the larger room with a ceiling of cypress wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. |
| Song of Solomon 1:10 | Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. |
| John 10:28 | I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. |
| John 17:12 | While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. |
| I Peter 1:5 | who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. |
| Jude 1:1 | Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: |
| Exodus 25:12 | You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four feet. Two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
3 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that this passage in Exodus is a direct copy from Exodus 28, with a few phrases inserted from earlier verses. The details of the ephod and its gold settings are not newly described here but are repeated verbatim from the earlier instructions, showing the close correspondence between the command and its execution.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes detail the precise method of attaching the breastplate to the ephod. Gold rings were placed at the corners and two bosses on the shoulders, with woven gold chains linking them. This ensured the breastplate was held securely in place.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the people's generous and joyful giving was matched by a careful, exact obedience to every command. This obedience, rendered first to Moses, signaled that the covenant with Israel had been firmly reestablished. Their willingness to serve the Lord in both spirit and detail was a sign that God's blessing would follow.