Exodus 39:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The first row of the breastplate contained three gems: sardius, topaz, and carbuncle.
The Context of Exodus 39:10
The gemstones of the breastplate are listed, beginning with the first row.
What Does Exodus 39:10 Mean?
Four rows of three stones each (twelve total) filled the breastplate, each stone representing one tribe of Israel. The sardius (reddish stone), topaz (golden), and carbuncle (deep red) of the first row began a spectrum of colors that communicated beauty, value, and variety among the tribes.
Precious stones were chosen not for their monetary worth alone, but for their durability and the way they refracted light. Each tribe, represented by its own jewel, was honored as unique and valuable, yet all twelve stones together formed one complete, unified breastplate.
Exodus 39:10 in the Original Language
sardius (אֹדֶם) — red stone, likely carnelian; topaz (פִּטְדָה); carbuncle (בָּרֶקֶת) — a translucent red or fiery stone
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 39:10
What does Exodus 39:10 mean?
The first row of the breastplate contained three gems: sardius, topaz, and carbuncle.
What is the context of Exodus 39:10?
The gemstones of the breastplate are listed, beginning with the first row.