The Hebrew that is translated into a wide and often differing variety of gemstones on Aaron’s breastpiece in English and other translations, was translated with a focus on their colors in a West African language:
Row One: a red stone, a stone the color of the yellow fruit inside the pod of the African locust bean (parkia biglobosa ), and a blue colored stone mixed with the color of fresh growth on trees (green)
Row Two: deep red stone, a blue colored stone, diamond
Row Three: a stone the color of an orange, a stone with many colored stripes, a stone the color of a local purple fruit
Row Four: a stone of deep green color, a stone with splotches of color, and a green stone.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 28:20:
Kupsabiny: “And the fourth one, someone arrange in a row a beryl an onyx, and jasper. Each of this stones should be tightened/fixed with/in a golden frame.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “a topaz, a beryl and jasper in the fourth row. These all must be fitted into gold filigree settings.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “and in the fourth row, chrysolite/[krisolito], onyx/[onix], and jasper. The stones should be-fastened/attached to the golden thing-to-put-in.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Bariai: “And in the fourth group of stones, arrange a blue/green krisolait stone, and a dual/multi-coloured oniks stone, and a blue/green iaspa stone. And you must affix the bases of each of these stones onto their gol holders.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Opo: “They must sew gem good on it, arrange it for three times four. Gem three which be present its top, let it be gem which be called odem, with pitdah, with bareqet, and gem three which be present underneath it, let it be gem which be called nopek, and sapir, and yahalom, and gem three which be present underneath it, let it be gem which be called lesem, and sebo, and ahlamah, and gem three which end it, let it be gem which be called tarsis, and soham, and yospeh.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
English: “In the fourth row he must put a yellow beryl, a red carnelian, and a green jasper.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Jacinth is a reddish-orange stone, quite different from the bluish-green “turquoise” in Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and Translator’s Old Testament. The hyacinth (New Jerusalem Bible) is similar in color but not as bright as the jacinth. The Hebrew word, found only here and in 39.12, offers no help.
The agate is a translucent quartz with white and brown concentric bands. There is general agreement that this is the meaning of the Hebrew word, but this word also is found only here and in 39.12.
The amethyst is a deep purple quartz frequently used in beads in ancient Egypt and Palestine. Some believe the Hebrew word, found only here and in 39.12, is related to the Egyptian word for red or brown jasper.
Beryl is usually sea-green or bluish-green in color, but it may also be yellow or pink. The emerald is a superior kind of beryl. The word used in the Septuagint suggests that it was a yellow stone, possibly yellow jasper or yellow topaz, like chrysolite.
Onyx is the same stone mentioned in verse 9, two of which were to be attached to the shoulder straps of the ephod. (See also 25.7.) Onyx is the traditional translation of the Hebrew word, but scholars today are divided as to whether it refers to the onyx or the “carnelian” (Good News Translation), which is a red stone. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh identifies this as lapis lazuli.
Jasper is usually a greenish-colored stone.
They shall be set in gold filigree is literally “they shall be woven [in] gold in their settings.” The word for “woven” is the basis for filigree, as explained at verse 11, and the word for “settings” comes from a word meaning “to fill.” It refers to the frame or bed into which a jewel is mounted. (The same word is used in 25.7.)
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 .
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