Comentario sobre Exodo 28:13

ועשית משבצת AND THOU SHALT MAKE SETTINGS — two settings, for the minimum number of settings (the plural) is two. In this section it explains to you only part of their purpose, whilst in the section dealing with the breast-plate it completes for you the explanation about them.

ועשית משבצות זהב, a golden plate to serve as the background to the settings which held the various gemstones of the breastplate in place. The plate had holes through which the chains could be attached to them by fastening the chains to the breastplate, as described in more detail in verse 25, the whole would in effect be as if a single piece.

Only part of their purpose. . . I.e., for the chains should be inserted in them. But it does not explain here that the ends of the chains should be inserted in the settings on the two shoulder straps of the eiphod from above. And that these chains should be inserted through the rings of the breastplate from below, so that the breastplate does not detach from the eiphod. (Re”m)

V. 13. משבצות. Wo diese "Einfassungen" ihre Stelle am Ephod hatten, ist dunkel. Aus VV. 14 u. 25 ist klar, dass sie an den Achselblättern des Ephod oberhalb des Choschen ihre Stelle hatten und an sie die Ketten befestigt waren, an welchen das Choschen hing. Wir sind sehr geneigt, zu glauben, daß diese משבצות keine andern als die V. 11 erwähnten Einfassungen der Schohamsteine waren.

ועשית משבצות זהב, “you are to make frames for settings of the gemstones, out of gold;” these were indentations; like miniature frames surrounding a picture which is inset. They would form the place to which the braided chains of which the Torah speaks in verse 14 and 22, could be fastened.