Exodus 28:30

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞
And thou shalt put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
חֹ֣שֶׁן
in the breastplate
perhaps a pocket (as holding the urim and thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest
#4
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הָֽאוּרִים֙
the Urim
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
#7
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
הַתֻּמִּ֔ים
and the Thummim
perfections, i.e., (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth
#9
וְהָיוּ֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#12
אַֽ֠הֲרֹן
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#13
בְּבֹא֖וֹ
when he goeth
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
וְנָשָׂ֣א
shall bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#17
אַֽ֠הֲרֹן
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#20
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#21
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#22
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#23
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#24
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#25
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#26
תָּמִֽיד׃
continually
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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