Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 28:16
Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof.
16. double ] More clearly, doubled, viz. so as to form a bag or pouch.
a span ] a cubit, or 9 inches. A piece of material, a cubit long and a cubit broad, was to be doubled over, and sewn together, so as to form a pouch a cubit square.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 16. Four-square it shall be] Here we have the exact dimensions of this breastplate, or more properly breast-piece or stomacher. It was a span in length and breadth when doubled, and consequently two spans long one way before it was doubled. Between these doublings, it is supposed, the Urim and Thummim were placed. See Clarke on Ex 28:30.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It was doubled for greater strength, that it might better support and secure the precious stones which were put into it, and that it might receive the Urim and Thummim, Lev 8:8.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Four square it shall be, [being] doubled,…. That is, when it was doubled; for the length of it, according to Maimonides c, was a cubit, which is two spans, and so, when it was doubled, was but one, and its length and breadth being alike, as follows:
a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof; a square, which is the measure, the form of the new Jerusalem, the church of Christ, Re 21:16 and may denote the perfection, firmness, and immovableness of it, Ps 125:1. Some have thought that this breastplate was doubled, in order to have something enclosed in it: some imagine, that within this fold were put the Urim and Thummim, which they suppose to be two words engraved on a stone, and different from the twelve stones in it; others, that the name of Jehovah was written and put there, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi on Ex 28:30 and other Jewish writers, and others, fancy some little images were put within these folds, the name with the teraphim, and supposed to be the Urim and Thummim; but if these were hid in the folds, they could not be seen when consulted; it is most probable there is nothing put within the double, which was not done for any such use; but most likely that it might be strong to bear the weight of the precious stones, put in ouches of gold upon it.
c Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) Foursquare it shall be.On the idea of perfection connected with the square, see Note on Exo. 27:1. But for this, twelve gems would probably have been arranged in the shape of an oblong.
Doubled.Symmachus translates khoshen by , a receptacle or bag; and if the Urim and the Thummim, being material objects, were to be put in it (Exo. 28:30), such a construction would seem to have been absolutely necessary. Hence the doubling, which would not have been needed merely for strength, since linen corselets, stout enough to resist the blow of a sword, were among the manufactures of Egypt, and could no doubt have been produced by the Hebrews.
A span.The span was reckoned at half a cubit, or about nine inches.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Foursquare it shall be doubled Being a span, that is, half a cubit (about 9 . 5 inches) in length and breadth, the doubling or folding of it would form a kind of bag, adapted to contain the Urim and Thummim .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
span. See App-51.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Reciprocal: Exo 39:10 – the first row
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
28:16 {i} Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof.
(i) The description of the breastplate.