Fashion gold filigree settingsThe instruction to "fashion gold filigree settings" is part of the detailed directions given to Moses for the creation of the priestly garments, specifically for the high priest. Gold filigree refers to intricate metalwork, often involving delicate and elaborate designs. This craftsmanship highlights the importance and sacredness of the high priest's role, as gold was a symbol of purity, divinity, and kingship in ancient cultures.
In the context of the tabernacle and its furnishings, gold was extensively used, signifying the divine presence and the heavenly nature of the worship conducted there. The use of gold filigree in the priestly garments connects to the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation unto God, as seen in
Exodus 25-31, where detailed instructions for the tabernacle and its elements are given.
The craftsmanship required for such work would have been highly skilled, indicating the value and honor placed upon the service of the high priest. This reflects the broader biblical principle that those who serve God are to be set apart and adorned with righteousness, as seen in passages like
Isaiah 61:10, which speaks of being clothed with garments of salvation.
The gold filigree settings were likely used to mount the stones on the high priest's breastplate, which bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This symbolizes the high priest's role as a mediator between God and His people, bearing their names before the Lord. This mediatorial role is a type of Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest, as described in
Hebrews 4:14-16, who intercedes on behalf of humanity before God.
In summary, the phrase "fashion gold filigree settings" encapsulates the themes of divine craftsmanship, holiness, and mediation, all of which are central to the understanding of the priestly ministry in the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
AaronMoses' brother, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The instructions for the priestly garments were specifically for him and his sons.
3.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were to be represented by the high priest in the tabernacle.
4.
Mount SinaiThe place where God gave Moses the law and the detailed instructions for the tabernacle and priestly garments.
5.
TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, where the high priest would serve.
Teaching Points
The Importance of ObedienceThe detailed instructions for the priestly garments highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. Just as Moses followed God's instructions precisely, we are called to obey God's Word in our lives.
Symbolism of GoldGold in the priestly garments symbolizes purity, value, and divinity. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness and value in our conduct and character.
Role of the High PriestThe high priest served as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This foreshadows Christ's role as our ultimate mediator, reminding us of the access we have to God through Him.
Attention to Detail in WorshipThe intricate design of the priestly garments teaches us that God values detail and excellence in worship. Our worship should be intentional and reflect the glory of God.
Community RepresentationThe high priest represented the entire community before God. As Christians, we are called to intercede for others and represent Christ to the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 28:13?
2.How does Exodus 28:13 emphasize the importance of detailed obedience to God?
3.What role do the gold settings play in the priestly garments' symbolism?
4.How can we apply the concept of "gold settings" to our spiritual lives?
5.Connect Exodus 28:13 with other scriptures about holiness and divine craftsmanship.
6.How does Exodus 28:13 inspire us to honor God through our daily actions?
7.What is the significance of the gold settings in Exodus 28:13 for the priestly garments?
8.How do the gold settings in Exodus 28:13 reflect God's holiness and perfection?
9.Why were gold settings chosen for the priestly garments in Exodus 28:13?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 28?
11.What defines an altar?
12.What is the Bible's perspective on crystals?
13.Exodus 39:8-21: How did they manage the sophisticated techniques required to craft and engrave the breastpiece with gemstone settings in a wilderness setting?
14.Exodus 28:15-21: Could the precise identification and sourcing of twelve specific gemstones align historically with the Israelites' environment and trading networks?What Does Exodus 28:13 Mean
Fashion“Fashion” signals more than craftsmanship; it reflects obedient response to God’s detailed revelation.Exodus 28:13 is part of a larger set of instructions for the high priest’s garments (Exodus 28:1-14).
• God speaks, Moses obeys—illustrating that holy service begins with precise submission (Exodus 25:9;John 14:15).
• The command is specific; nothing is left to human guesswork. Likewise, God provides clarity for worship today (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• The divine initiative in design points to God’s initiative in salvation, where He “prepared in advance” good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).
goldGold, repeatedly linked with divine presence, purity, and worth, marks the ephod as belonging to God’s service.
• In the tabernacle, gold overlays the ark (Exodus 25:11) and fills the lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40), echoing heaven’s splendor (Revelation 21:18).
• Its incorruptible nature mirrors the holiness expected of the priest (Leviticus 19:2;1 Peter 1:15-16).
• The costly metal underscores the value God places on intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:24-25).
filigreeFiligree describes delicate, intertwined work—beauty mingled with strength.
• God equips artisans like Bezalel “with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship” (Exodus 31:1-5; 35:30-35).
• The intricate pattern suggests that God values excellence, not mere functionality (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Such ornamentation invites reverent awe, echoing the psalmist’s praise for creation’s intricate design (Psalm 19:1).
settingsThese settings will hold onyx stones engraved with the names of Israel’s tribes (Exodus 28:11-12).
• The secure mountings keep every name visible upon the priest’s shoulders—a picture of faithful representation (Isaiah 49:16;John 10:28-29).
• The arrangement points forward to the heavenly city’s foundation stones, each bearing a name (Revelation 21:12-14).
• By fixing the stones firmly, God ensures continual remembrance, foreshadowing believers kept “sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
summaryExodus 28:13 compresses a wealth of meaning into four short words. God calls for carefully fashioned, golden, intricately woven settings to carry Israel’s names before Him. The verse showcases divine authority, holiness, beauty, and covenant faithfulness—inviting us to honor the same God with obedient hearts, pure devotion, and lives securely set in His gracious hands.
2. THE BREASTPLATE.
(13-30) The space devoted to the "breastplate" is indicative of its high importance. It was the most costly, most magnificent, and most conspicuous of the high priest's garments, while at the same time it was the most mysterious. Externally it was a blaze of goldandjewels; internally it held those strange and precious objects known as "the Urim and the Thummim" (Exodus 28:30), by means of which the Divine will was made known to the high priest, and through him to the people. The basis of the garment was a linen fabric of similar materials and workmanship with the ephod (Exodus 28:15), square in shape, about nine inches each way, and "doubled," so as to form internally a bag or pocket. Upon this linen groundwork were fastened twelve "stones," or jewels, set in an open-work of gold, and arranged in four rows, three in each (Exodus 28:17-21). These stones covered probably the greater portion of the external surface of the breastplate. To its two upper corners were attached two rings of gold, which were made fast by means of gold chains to buttons (" ouches") on the upper part of the ephod; and to its two lower corners were attached similar rings, which were fastened by a lace to rings of the same material on the lower part of the ephod (Exodus 28:13-14;Exodus 28:22-28). . . .
Verses 13-30. - THE BREAST-PLATE. It has been noticed that the ephod had for its main object or purpose to be a receptacle for the breast-plate which was attached to it after it had been put on, and formed its principal ornament. The Hebrew word
khoshen, which is translated "breast-plate," means "ornament;" and the khoshen must certainly have been the most striking and brilliant object in the whole attire of the high priest. Externally, it did but repeat the symbolism of the ephod, exhibiting the high priest as the representative of the twelve tribes, whose names were engraved upon its twelve stones, as well as upon the onyxes of the ephod. Internally, it had, however, another, and a deeper import. It contained within it the Urim and the Thummim (ver. 30), by means of which God was consulted, and signified his will to his people. This must be regarded as its main end and use. It was from the
decisions thus given that it received the name of "the breastplate (or ornament) of judgment."
Verse 13. -
Ouches of gold. "Buttons" according to one view (Cook): "sockets," according to another (Kalisch): "rosettes," according to a third (Keil). Some small ornament of open-work (see the comment on ver. 11), which could be sewn on to the ephod, and whereto a chain might be attached, seems to be intended. The object was to fasten the "breast-plate" firmly to the ephod.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Fashionוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ(wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makegoldזָהָֽב׃(zā·hāḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear skyfiligree settingsמִשְׁבְּצֹ֖ת(miš·bə·ṣōṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4865:A brocade, a, setting of a, gem
Links
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OT Law: Exodus 28:13 You shall make settings of gold (Exo. Ex) 
