And you shall make uses the singular you, and again it may be helpful for many translators to begin a new section as follows: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Have them make….’ ” A breastpiece of judgment should not be understood as a “breastplate” (King James Version) or piece of armor. The meaning of the word for breastpiece is uncertain. It was a kind of covering for the chest, which was worn by the high priest (verses 4, 29). It was made from a piece of square cloth and formed into a pouch in which were kept “the Urim and the Thummim” (verse 30). The word for judgment (mishpat) here refers to its use “in determining God’s will” (Today’s English Version). (See the comment on mishpat in the introduction to 20.22-26.) Other possible translations are “pouch of judgment” (Translator’s Old Testament), “judicial pouch” (Moffatt), “breastpiece of decision” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible), and “breastpiece for making decisions” (New International Version). Contemporary English Version has “breastpiece for the high priest to use in learning what I want my people to do.”

In skilled work is identical with “skillfully worked” in verse 6 and 26.1. (See the comment there.) Like the work of the ephod you shall make it (literally “an ephod,” without the definite article), may refer either to the workmanship or to the material of the ephod. Probably both meanings are intended. New Revised Standard Version has “in the style of the ephod”; \jmp Today’s English Version has “of the same materials as the ephod”; and Contemporary English Version has “From the same costly material.” (See the comment at verse 8.)

Of gold, blue and purple and scarlet stuff is identical with the phrase in verse 6. The word stuff is not in the Hebrew. And fine twined linen is also identical with verse 6, literally “and fine linen twisted.” (See the comment on the colors at 25.4, and on the materials at 26.1.) Shall you make it simply repeats the first part of the verse.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .