Exodus 28:9 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Thou shalt take two onyx-stones— See Genesis 2:12. Moses was to cause the names of the twelve tribes of Israel to be engraved, as letters or devices are cut in a seal, Exodus 28:11 on two onyx-stones; six ranked according to their seniority on each stone, Exodus 28:10 and these stones were to be set in ouches of gold: the original word signifies, small edges, or pieces of metal, which enclose and hold fast a seal, or any thing set in that manner. These stones were to be fastened upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be borne by the high-priest, for a memorial that he always appeared before God in behalf of the whole people of Israel. See Isaiah 9:6. In Exodus 28:29 this reason is also given for his wearing the breast-plate; and Le Clerc thinks that three things were chiefly denoted by these names, which the high-priest wore on his shoulders and near his heart: first, the union of all the tribes in one common wealth; secondly, their union in one religion and priesthood; thirdly, the wearing of these names on his shoulders and near his heart, served to remind the priest, that the care of the public religion rested, as it were, upon his shoulders, and was, of all concerns, to be next his heart. See ch. Exodus 30:16. Leviticus 2:2 from whence, as well as from Numbers 10:9-10 and Acts 10:4 it appears, that the word memorial refers also to GOD. For thus Christ appears, Revelation 1:13 ever living to make intercession for his people. He presents their names, not merely engraven on stones of onyx, but more deeply on his heart in characters of divine love. With respect to the chains mentioned in the 14th verse, we shall see their use hereafter.