Read Exodus 28:6-29:46 at Bible Gateway.
Strong theme paragraph divisions
Exo 28:6-12 {s} The pattern for the ephod
Exo 28:13-14 {s} The pattern for the chain and settings of gold
Exo 28:15-30 {s} The pattern for the breastplate
Exo 28:31-35 {s} The pattern for the robe of blue
Exo 28:36-43 {s} The pattern for the remaining garments
Exo 29:1-37 {s} Instructions for the service of consecration
Exo 29:38-46 {p} Continual burnt offerings for the altar
The strong theme
The pattern for the priests’ to be clothed with glory and beauty, and their consecration for service in tending the continual things.
Exo 28:6-29:46 Chiastic structure
1A) EXO 28:6-43 The pattern for the priests’ garments; {sx5} ?
1B) EXO 29:1-35 CONSECRATION for the priests;
1C) EXO 29:36-42A Atonement for the ALTAR, {s} division following vs. 37;
1D) EXO 29:42B Where I WILL MEET you;
CENTRAL AXIS) EXO 29:42C TO SPEAK WITH YOU;
2D) EXO 29:43A And there I WILL MEET with the children of Israel;
2C) EXO 29:43b-44A Consecration for the tabernacle and the ALTAR;
2B) EXO 29:44B I will also CONSECRATE both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests;
2A) EXO 29:45-46 I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM;
1a. 1) Exo 29:45a I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God;
1a. 2) Exo 29:46a And they shall know that I am YHVH their God;
central axis) Exo 29:46b Who brought them up out of the land of Egypt;
2a. 1) Exo 29:46c That I may dwell among them;
2a. 2) Exo 29:46d I am YHVH their God. {p}
Please note the central axis: it is all about our relationship with Father God! Now as to the puzzle: clearly the A pairs are forced together by their surrounding elements. I am working on the structure for the 1A pair, hoping it would provide a clue as to HOW the A pairs pair. I am not wise enough yet to see it. But one thing I did notice, was a repeating phrase in Exo 28:6-43. Repetition is a teaching tool of Scripture:
AARON SHALL BEAR the name of the children of Israel on the memorial stones of the ephod … Exo 28:12
AARON SHALL BEAR the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart … Exo 28:29
AARON SHALL BEAR the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart by the Urim and Thummin on the breastplate … Exo 28:30
The holy crown on Aaron’s forehead, that AARON MAY BEAR the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts … Exo 28:38
In every instance, shall bear is Strong’s H5375 to take up נשא nasa. As per the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, the shin was transposed from an original sin.
nun נ ן = seed, thus continue, heir, son
sin ס = thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
aleph א = ox head, thus strength, power, leader
The story: Persistently (continually, nun) grabbing hold (sin) with strength (aleph), thus labor, to take up or lift up a burden. This word is often translated “to pardon:”
[One application of this root is in] the taking away, forgiveness, or pardon of sin, iniquity, and transgression. So characteristic is this action of taking away sin, that it is listed as one of God’s attributes (Exo 34:7; Num 14:8; Mic 7:18). Often this form of nasa is used in prayers of intercession; by the messenger of Joseph’s brothers (Gen 50:17), by Pharaoh (Exo 10:17), by Moses for Israel (Exo 32:32, Num 14:19), by Abigail for Naboth (1 Sam 25:28), and by Saul to Samuel (1 Sam 15:25). It is used by Joshua in his farewell address (Jos 24:19). No doubt the classical expression of this meaning is to be found in Psa 32:1, 5. – Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
Of David. Maschil. Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven [nasa], whose sin is pardoned. Psa 32:1
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have I not hid;
I said: “I will make confession concerning my transgressions unto YHVH”–
and You, You forgave [nasa] the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Psa 32:5
Sin can be forgiven and forgotten, because it is taken up and carried away.
Is the teaching tool of repetition teaching us that the form of the priesthood, that is, all of his coverings and “furnishings,” are there to fulfill the function of the priesthood, that is, that the High Priest shall bear the iniquity of the children of Israel? And it is that bearing, that is, pardoning, that opens the door for the presence of YHVH to come and dwell among them, preaching the gospel of grace from Torah? It might very well be …
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