As a jeweler engraves signets is literally “work of a craftsman of stone, engravings of a seal.” So this kind of “jeweler” would be “a gem-cutter” (New Revised Standard Version). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh uses the more technical term “lapidary.” Signets are specially cut seals or symbols often set in signet rings. The phrase “engravings of a seal” may be read with what follows, shall you engrave the two stones. (The word so is supplied.) This gives the meaning “On the two stones you shall make seal engravings—the work of a lapidary” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). But the difference in meaning is not significant. Good News Translation simply says “Have a skillful jeweler engrave on the two stones,” or one may say “Have a skilled worker take a sharp instrument and write [or, cut] the names.”

With the names of the sons of Israel repeats what is said in verse 9. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree is literally “encircled [in] settings of gold you [singular] shall make them.” The idea of filigree comes from the root meaning of settings, which is “to weave in patterns.” They were ornamental frames made with fine gold wires, possibly in the form of “rosettes” (Revised English Bible), that is, in the shape of roses. Since this is not explicit, some translations have just “gold settings” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version has “Put … in gold settings.” However, “put them into gold frames” is another possible rendering (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Jerusalem Bible, and Revised English Bible).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .