What Does Exodus 39:17 Mean in the King James?

And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.

Exodus 39:17 · 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

What is precious is held in place through its connections: the gold chains pass through rings at the breastplate’s edges.

THE MEANING

The breastplate is secured through chains placed into rings at both ends. The verse gives attention to the joins: what is precious is held by specific attachments, each deliberately set in place.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

That something precious stays secure on its own; the verse locates its security in the points where it is joined.

THE ROOT

וַיִּתְּנוּ

vayitnu

GROWS FROM

נתן

Give, set, place.

The verb translated “put” is ⁨וַיִּתְּנוּ⁩ (vayitnu, “they set or placed”), from ⁨נתן⁩ (natan, “give, set, place”). The chains are deliberately given their place inside the rings; placement is part of how the breastplate is held.

ALSO GROWS

mattanah: A gift: something given.

מַתָּנָה

This branch keeps giving and placement in one family: the chains are given a specific place in the rings.

netinim: Those assigned or given for service.

נְתִינִים

The word echoes the chains’ designated position at the breastplate’s ends.

THE PATTERN

A structure holds together through deliberately placed points of connection.

And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

Exodus 26:6 · KJVThe curtains become one tabernacle through gold fasteners placed at their joins.

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:16 · KJVThe body is held together through its joints, with each part contributing to the whole.

THE THREAD

And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.

Exodus 39:18 · KJV

The next verse uses the same root, ⁨נתן⁩ (natan, “give, set, place”), for putting the chains on the ephod’s shoulderpieces. It reveals their path: from the breastplate rings to the structure that carries them.

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