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.
The ephod was the high priest's outermost garment, shot through with gold thread; a short coat without sleeves, fitted close with a curious girdle. Those shoulder-pieces bore the names of all Israel in precious stones, and Christ our High Priest bears us the same way before His Father, our advocate and our memorial.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 28:6-14
With the work of an engraver in stone,.... Not in common but precious stones: Moses was not to do this himself, as it could not be supposed he should, but he was to employ an engraver, whose business it was, and one that was capable of doing it in a professional manner: like the engravings of a signet shall thou engrave the two stones with...
Like the engravings of a signet - So signets or seals were in use at this time, and engraving on precious stones was then an art, and this art, which was one of the most elegant and ornamental, was carried in ancient times to a very high pitch of perfection, and particularly among the ancient Greeks; such a pitch of perfection as has never been...