Exo 28:15-30 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Exod 28:15-30: 28:15-30 More attention is given to the chestpiece than to any other item, suggesting the importance attached to it. It apparently symbolized the priest’s representation of Israel (28:17-21 , 29 ) and was a container for the Urim and Thummim , by which God made his will known (28:30 ). The chestpiece represented the totality of the high priest’s tasks of bringing the people to God and bringing God’s word to the people.

a28:15-30►

b28:17-21►

c29►

d28:30►

e28:29►

f28:30►

gNum 27:21►

hDeut 33:8►

i1 Sam 28:6►

jEzra 2:63►

kNeh 7:65►

‏ Exodus 28:15-30

Summary for Exod 28:15-30: 28:15-30 ^a More attention is given to the chestpiece than to any other item, suggesting the importance attached to it. It apparently symbolized the priest’s representation of Israel (28:17-21 ^b, 29 ^c) and was a container for the Urim and Thummim, by which God made his will known (28:30 ^d). The chestpiece represented the totality of the high priest’s tasks of bringing the people to God and bringing God’s word to the people.
28:29 ^e The high priest would go into the Holy Place (the outer room of the sanctuary) to trim the lamp, replace the bread on the table, and replenish the incense on the altar that stood outside the Most Holy Place.
28:30 ^f The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew terms that might translate as lights [or curses] and perfections) were apparently a pair of stones that were thrown down to get a yes or no answer from God. No physical description of these objects exists; their use is further explained in Num 27:21 ^g; Deut 33:8 ^h; 1 Sam 28:6 ⁱ; Ezra 2:63 ^j; and Neh 7:65 ^k.