The Shoulder Stones: The Order of Birth

The Shoulder Stones: The Order of Birth

The Ephod features two Onyx stones, fixed upon the shoulders. These stones are engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, six on each stone.

The Symbolism of Birth and Predestination

The arrangement follows the Order of Birth, representing God’s sovereign "choosing" or "predestination." This symbolizes the reality that God claims His own from the mother’s womb, long before any individual service is rendered. By placing these names on the shoulders—the seat of strength—the High Priest signifies that the people are carried, protected, and supported by a power higher than their own under an eternal covenant.

The Tablets of Witness

These two stones are the structural equivalent of the "Tablets of Witness" (the Ten Commandments). To reach the symbolic number of 12 (matching the 12 tribes), we must observe the speaker’s specific categorization of the "Do Nots":

• The Six "Do Nots" Related to God (Stone 1): 1. No other gods, 2. No idols, 3. No bowing to images, 4. No false service (serving them), 5. No using the Name in vain, and 6. No forgetting the Sabbath.

• The Six "Do Nots" Related to Man (Stone 2): 1.Adultery, 2.Murder, 3.Stealing, 4.False Witness, and a double emphasis on the 5,6.prohibition of Coveting.

Carrying these names on the shoulders demonstrates that the strength of the Law and the Covenant supports the identity of the people. However, the spiritual journey must progress from the strength of the shoulders to the intimacy of the heart.