Exodus 28:16 - It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length of it, and a span its width.
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What does "Exodus 28:16" mean?
This verse is describing the dimensions of the breastplate (Hebrew: choshen) that the High Priest of Israel would wear as part of his priestly garments. Let's break it down:
"It shall be square": The breastplate was a square shape.
"and folded double": The breastplate wasn't just a single layer of fabric. It was folded in half, creating a pouch or pocket. This pouch held the Urim and Thummim (sacred lots used for divination).
"a span shall be its length of it, and a span its width": A "span" is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is outstretched. A common estimation is about 9 inches (23 cm). So, the breastplate was approximately square, with sides of about 9 inches (23 cm).
Therefore, Exodus 28:16 specifies that the breastplate, a significant part of the High Priest's attire, was a square, double-layered pouch measuring approximately 9 inches by 9 inches.
Exodus 28:16 - It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length of it, and a span its width.
What does "Exodus 28:16" mean?
This verse is describing the dimensions of the breastplate (Hebrew: choshen) that the High Priest of Israel would wear as part of his priestly garments. Let's break it down:
"It shall be square": The breastplate was a square shape.
"and folded double": The breastplate wasn't just a single layer of fabric. It was folded in half, creating a pouch or pocket. This pouch held the Urim and Thummim (sacred lots used for divination).
"a span shall be its length of it, and a span its width": A "span" is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is outstretched. A common estimation is about 9 inches (23 cm). So, the breastplate was approximately square, with sides of about 9 inches (23 cm).
Therefore, Exodus 28:16 specifies that the breastplate, a significant part of the High Priest's attire, was a square, double-layered pouch measuring approximately 9 inches by 9 inches.