What Does Exodus 28:9 Mean in the King James?

And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Exodus 28:9 · 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 Hebrew verb for engraving also means opening: the names are cut into stone so they can be carried into view.

THE MEANING

The names of Israel are given a durable form by being engraved on stone. A name carries the nature of the one named, and here that identity is made visible in a mark that can be borne.

THE ROOT

וּפִתַּחְתָּ

u-fittachta

GROWS FROM

פתח

Open; in this verb form, engrave.

“grave” in this verse is u-fittachta. The verb for engraving grows from ⁨פתח⁩ (pataḥ, open), which also gives language for an opening and a key. The engraved names are shemot (⁨שְׁמוֹת⁩, shemot, names), from shem (⁨שֵׁם⁩, shem, name as nature): the stone makes the named people’s identity visible in a lasting cut.

ALSO GROWS

petaḥ: Opening, doorway

פֶּתַח

This branch keeps the root’s basic sense of opening, which illuminates engraving as a cut that opens the stone’s surface.

mafteaḥ: Key

מַפְתֵּחַ

A key opens access; this branch carries the same root into an object that makes an opening usable.

THE PATTERN

Belonging is made present when names are carried, engraved, or written in a durable place.

And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

Exodus 28:12 · KJVThe names engraved on the stones are borne on the shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:16 · KJVThe engraved mark makes the one named continually present.

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:20 · KJVNames written in heaven express belonging as something held beyond the moment.

THE THREAD

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

Exodus 28:11 · KJV

This verse repeats ⁨פתח⁩ in its words for engraving and for the engraver’s work. The same root links the cut in the stone with the names fixed there.

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