Exodus 39:5

Authorized King James Version

And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְחֵ֨שֶׁב
And the curious girdle
a belt or strap (as being interlaced)
#2
אֲפֻדָּת֜וֹ
of his ephod
a girding on (of the ephod); hence, generally, a plating (of metal)
#3
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
עָלָ֗יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
הוּא֮
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#7
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂהוּ֒
that was upon it was of the same according to the work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#8
זָהָ֗ב
thereof of gold
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#9
תְּכֵ֧לֶת
blue
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
#10
וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן
and purple
purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
#11
וְתוֹלַ֥עַת
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
#12
שָׁנִ֖י
and scarlet
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
#13
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ
linen
bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble
#14
מָשְׁזָ֑ר
and fine twined
to twist (a thread of straw)
#15
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
צִוָּ֥ה
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#17
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
מֹשֶֽׁה׃
Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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