And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Two onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were to be set on the gold-embroidered shoulder-pieces of the ephod of the high priest. That ephod belonged to garments of costly material and beautiful workmanship befitting his exalted station, worn in addition to the linen dress of the common priest and over a blue robe woven in one piece. The skirt of that robe was ornamented with golden bells and pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, while the ephod itself was a shorter, sleeveless garment of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and white, confined by a beautifully wrought girdle of the same colors.
The command belongs to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service, specifying the dress of those who minister before Him. It was part of the instruction given in the wilderness enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, giving the outline of the expressed will for the mental, physical, and moral improvement of the whole being. That instruction makes known the covenant with the people being sought for salvation, the terms of salvation, and the education of most value, which is the highest knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The description of the high priest's garments is reflected in Jesus' priestly clothing as He enters the second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, where the names of Israel are shown engraved among the jewels of His breastplate, while the onyx stones themselves are not described.
The care God required over the apparel of officiants shows He may be honored or dishonored by how they dress, requiring order in everything and especially cleanliness. Those instructions show that ministry was to be carried out with order, cleanliness, and reverence, so that the people would recognize God's holiness and the sacredness of His work. The design of Aaron's priestly garments was symbolic, and the care given to those garments shows that God has a preference concerning the dress of those who serve Him. Christ's followers are likewise to dress as representatives of Him.
Two onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were to be set on the gold-embroidered shoulder-pieces of the ephod of the high priest. That ephod belonged to garments of costly material and beautiful workmanship befitting his exalted station, worn in addition to the linen dress of the common priest and over a blue robe woven in one piece. The skirt of that robe was ornamented with golden bells and pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, while the ephod itself was a shorter, sleeveless garment of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and white, confined by a beautifully wrought girdle of the same colors.
The command belongs to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service, specifying the dress of those who minister before Him. It was part of the instruction given in the wilderness enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, giving the outline of the expressed will for the mental, physical, and moral improvement of the whole being. That instruction makes known the covenant with the people being sought for salvation, the terms of salvation, and the education of most value, which is the highest knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The description of the high priest's garments is reflected in Jesus' priestly clothing as He enters the second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, where the names of Israel are shown engraved among the jewels of His breastplate, while the onyx stones themselves are not described.
The care God required over the apparel of officiants shows He may be honored or dishonored by how they dress, requiring order in everything and especially cleanliness. Those instructions show that ministry was to be carried out with order, cleanliness, and reverence, so that the people would recognize God's holiness and the sacredness of His work. The design of Aaron's priestly garments was symbolic, and the care given to those garments shows that God has a preference concerning the dress of those who serve Him. Christ's followers are likewise to dress as representatives of Him.