What Does Exodus 28:22 Mean in the King James?

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.

Exodus 28:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The breastpiece is fastened with gold shaped into cordwork: the ornament itself is the bond.

THE MEANING

What is held over your heart is secured by chains of pure gold shaped as twisted cordwork. The strands joined together are not just a finish; they form the fastening.

THE ROOT

עֲבֹת

avot

GROWS FROM

עבת

ʿāḇaṯ

To braid, interlace, or form into a cord.

“wreathen” in this verse is avot. The word carries the image of strands twisted together into cords. The same root names cords used for binding, so the chains here are not merely decorative: their corded form is also their fastening.

ALSO GROWS

avotim: Cords or twisted ropes.

עֲבֹתִים

Judges 15:13 uses this form for the cords that bind Samson, showing the same corded form serving as a fastening.

avoteimo: Their cords.

עֲבֹתֵימוֹ

In Psalm 2:3, this form names cords spoken of as bonds, further showing how the twisted strands bind.

THE PATTERN

Joined strands turn separate threads into a bond that holds.

And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.

Exodus 28:14 · KJVThe chains are made of corded work and fastened to the breastpiece, making the joined strands part of what holds it in place.

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 · KJVThe verse shows how strands joined into a cord make a bond harder to break.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:14 · KJVLove is named as a bond that holds things together, extending the pattern from corded material to relationship.

THE THREAD

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalm 2:3 · KJV

The word rendered “cords” here comes from the same Hebrew root as “wreathen” in Exodus: both name strands twisted into cords. Exodus shows that form securing the breastpiece; Psalm 2 describes cords as bonds to be broken, revealing the binding force carried by the same root.

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