Exodus 39:7
And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֣שֶׂם
And he put
H7760
וַיָּ֣שֶׂם
And he put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֹתָ֗ם
H853
אֹתָ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּתְפֹ֣ת
them on the shoulders
H3802
כִּתְפֹ֣ת
them on the shoulders
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
4 of 14
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
הָֽאֵפֹ֔ד
of the ephod
H646
הָֽאֵפֹ֔ד
of the ephod
Strong's:
H646
Word #:
5 of 14
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
זִכָּר֖וֹן
for a memorial
H2146
זִכָּר֖וֹן
for a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
7 of 14
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
לִבְנֵ֣י
to the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י
to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Joshua 4:7Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.Exodus 28:12And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.Exodus 28:29And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Historical Context
The 'memorial' concept (zikaron) appears throughout Scripture for practices that bring covenant realities before God and people (Passover, Sabbath, stones at Jordan). Aaron wearing Israel's names symbolized his representative capacity—he stood before God on their behalf.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's continual intercession, bearing believers' names before the Father, impact your prayer life?
- What does Aaron's memorial stones teach about God's covenant faithfulness to remember His people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Placing the engraved stones 'on the shoulders of the ephod' for 'a memorial' (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron, remembrance) before YHWH teaches that the high priest represented Israel constantly in God's presence. The shoulder signifies strength and support; Aaron bore Israel's names not on weak hands but strong shoulders. This memorial function prefigures Christ's perpetual intercession—He ever lives to make intercession (Hebrews 7:25), bearing His people's names before the Father. The phrase 'as the LORD commanded Moses' (the 2nd of 15 times in chs 39-40) underscores covenant faithfulness.