10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Six of their names on one stone, and [the other] six names of the rest on the other stone, according to (e) their birth.
(e) As they were in age, so should they be graven in order.
Six of their names on one stone,.... The names of the six eldest on the stone upon the right shoulder:
and the other six names of the rest on the other stone: the names of the six youngest on the stone upon the left shoulder; for these stones, as afterwards said, were put on the shoulders of the priests:
according to their birth; the order of it; so that upon the first stone were engraven the names of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Daniel, and Naphtali; and on the second stone the names of Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin; and so they are disposed by Jarchi, with whom Josephus agrees (a); though some Jewish writers, and particularly Maimonides (b), place them otherwise; but this seems most agreeable to the letter and sense of the text.
(a) Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5.) (b) Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, ut supra. (c. 9. sect. 9.)
*More commentary available at chapter level.