Exodus 35:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece,

NIV: The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

NASB: The rulers, moreover, brought the onyx stones and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece;

CSB: The leaders brought onyx and gemstones to mount on the ephod and breastpiece,

NLT: The leaders brought onyx stones and the special gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.

KJV: And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;

NKJV: The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate,

Exodus 35:20–29 records Israel's response to a call for donations (Exodus 35:4–9). God has asked the people to contribute, voluntarily, to construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). They bring so much material that Moses asks them to stop donating (Exodus 36:4–5).

The tabernacle-building project begins with a reminder about Sabbath-keeping. The subtext is that even temple-building work is still "work," and cannot be done on the Sabbath. Using nearly the exact same words from prior passages, Scripture records the people donating materials. Moses assigns Bezalel and Oholiab as project managers, training and overseeing as Israelites create sacred objects.

The Lord gave Moses extensive designs for the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). He has just renewed the covenant (Exodus 34) broken by Israelite sin (Exodus 32). Now, Moses begins repeating these instructions to the people. The next several chapters will record Israel following God's directions closely, completing the sanctuary.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 9/19/2025 12:30:01 PM