On what type of stone were the 12 children of Israel to have their names engraved?

In Exodus 28:9, we find a fascinating detail about the twelve tribes of Israel: their names were engraved on two onyx stones installed on the priest's ephod. Isn't that cool? One might wonder why onyx, specifically. Onyx has a rich association with beauty and strength, much like the calling of the high priest itself—set apart from the ordinary, serving as a direct link between the Israelites and the divine.

Each stone represented a covenant or promise, acting as a literal and symbolic groundwork for who they were as a nation. Speaking of engraving, many ancient cultures used engraving as a way to memorialize people and events. It's a powerful way to assert identity and lineage, echoing throughout scriptural traditions. Consider also how stones appear throughout the Bible, from Joshua's monument of stones at Gilgal, serving as a reminder of God's deliverance, to the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem later described in Revelation.

The onyx stones on the ephod represented the unified community of Israel, conveyed their names before God, and underlined the priests' responsibility to carry the burdens of the people. This reflects a continuity across the ages, inviting the question: How do we today honor and recognize the collective identity that we share with those around us? Ultimately, the message seems clear: since ancient times, names engraved upon stones have connected us to the past and inspire us toward a continuity of shared experience and meaning.