What Does Exodus 39:19 Mean in the King James?

And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.

Exodus 39:19 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The breastplate’s “border” is its “lip”, the same Hebrew word that names both a mouth’s edge and a language.

THE MEANING

What is worn close is held by points of fastening, not closeness alone. The breastplate’s two edges meet the ephod behind it through paired rings. Its boundary is also where it connects to what carries it.

THE ROOT

שְׂפָתוֹ

sephato

GROWS FROM

שפה

Lip; by extension, edge or boundary; also language.

The word translated “border” is ⁨שָׂפָה⁩ (safah, lip or edge), which also means language. The rings sit at this lip, the boundary where the breastplate meets the garment behind it.

ALSO GROWS

safah: Lip

שָׂפָה

The verse names the breastplate’s edge with the word for the edge of a mouth.

safah: Language

שָׂפָה

The same word names shared speech, linking an object’s boundary with a place where expression passes outward.

THE PATTERN

A thing is sustained when it remains joined to the structure that bears it.

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

Exodus 28:29 · KJVThe breastplate carries the names close to the heart while remaining part of what the wearer bears.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4 · KJVA branch bears fruit through its continuing connection to the vine that supports it.

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 grows as its parts remain joined and each connection supplies what the whole needs.

THE THREAD

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

Genesis 11:1 · KJV

The Hebrew word rendered “border” here is the same word rendered “language” in Genesis 11:1. There, one lip means shared speech; here, the breastplate’s lip is where its rings meet the garment behind it.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us