Verse 4 is similar to 28.7, with a few changes. They made for the ephod shoulder-pieces is literally “shoulders they made for it, joined.” Good News Translation has “two shoulder straps,” transferring the “two” from its two edges. Joined to it at its two edges is literally “upon two of its edges it was joined.” Good News Translation has “and attached it to its sides,” assuming that the word for edges means “sides.” (See the comment at 28.7.)

Verse 5 is almost identical with 28.8. The verb was, of course, replaces “shall be.” Materials and workmanship are changed from “workmanship and materials” because of the change in word order. The only other difference is the addition of the formula as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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 .