Exodus 39:9 Meaning and Explanation
“It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The breastplate was square-shaped, folded in half to create a pocket that could hold the sacred lots.
The Context of Exodus 39:9
The dimensions and shape of the breastplate are specified.
What Does Exodus 39:9 Mean?
A span is roughly the distance from thumb to pinky when the hand is spread open—about nine inches. Making the breastplate double (folded in half) created a pouch that would contain the Urim and Thummim, the sacred lots by which the priest discerned God's will for the people. Its square shape reflected order and stability.
The precise dimensions (span by span when doubled) underscore that nothing was left to chance. Every measurement, every fold, every detail served the function of containing and protecting the instruments through which God would speak to His people.
Exodus 39:9 in the Original Language
span (זָרֶת) — the distance from the thumb to little finger when the hand is spread
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 39:9
What does Exodus 39:9 mean?
The breastplate was square-shaped, folded in half to create a pocket that could hold the sacred lots.
What is the context of Exodus 39:9?
The dimensions and shape of the breastplate are specified.