Greater Friendship Baptist Church SSFFF
The Priestly Garments
Exodus Chapter 28
Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, [even] Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."
“Minister unto me in the priest’s office”:
The 3-fold repetition of this phrase in the opening words about Aaron’s priestly wardrobe would appear to stress the importance of his role in the religious life of the nation. Aaron’s sons were part of the priesthood being set up. The Hebrew text groups the sons in two pairs, the first pair being Nadab and Abihu, both of whom died because of wanton disregard of God’s instructions (Lev. 10:1-2). Aaron and his descendants, as well as the tribe of Levi, were selected by God to be Israel’s priests, they did not appoint themselves to the position. The law clearly defined their duties for worship and the sacrifices in the tabernacle and for the individual worshiper and the nation’s covenantal relationship to God. The preparation for formally establishing Israel’s priesthood begins here. “Aaron” and his “sons” were appointed by Yahweh. Their principal function, according to the LORD, was to “minister unto Me”, through the administration of the temple and its sacrifices. From this point forward, all true priests in Israel were to be descended from Aaron’s line (see Hebrews 5:4). God was telling Moses, to separate Aaron and his sons for priests for the temple of God. Notice also, that Aaron was to minister to God.
The job of a high priest was two-fold.
Not only was he to present himself as a representative of God to the people, but was to represent the people to God once a year on Day of Atonement. “Abihu": Means worshipper. “Nadab": Means liberal. “Eleazar": Means God is helper. “Ithamar": Means coast of the palm tree.
Verses 2-39
The priestly “garments” were made by “gifted artisans” and included some of the same materials as the curtains of the tabernacle (28:8, 15, 33, 39, 42), plus gold and precious stones (28:17-20). The high priest’s clothing signified dignity and honor (28:40), and served as a constant reminder of the LORD’s holiness.
Exodus 28:2 "And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty."
“For glory and for beauty”: The garments were designed to exalt the office and function of the priesthood, vividly marking out Aaron as a special person playing a special mediatorial role. Instructions to Moses that certain men would be especially empowered by Him to work skillfully on this construction project.
God was explaining that Aaron, the high priest, must not dress just any old way. This garment should be beautiful, not only to please Aaron, but to please God. These garments would be worn by Aaron for a specific purpose.
These garments had a meaning. This glory was to separate Aaron from the people. They would know just by his dress that he was the high priest. These were not to be just regular clothing.
Exodus 28:3 "And thou shalt speak unto all [that are] wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."
That have knowledge and understanding in mechanic arts, particularly in making garments. And it required men of more than ordinary skill to be employed in making these, because they were uncommon ones, and required a good deal of thought and judgment.
And care and application, to make them exactly as they should be.
“Whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom”:
For besides a common understanding of things, these required a peculiar gift from God, which some men, as Bezaleel and Aholiab had.
"That they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him”:
To put upon him at the time of his consecration; and indeed this was one way, by which, as well as by sacrifices, that he was consecrated (see Exodus 29:1). “That he may minister unto me in the priest's office":
For the priests, without having these garments on, might not minister in their office.
For when these garments were off, as they were when they were out of their service, they were as other men, as laymen (see note on Ezek. 42:14).
Some in the families of the Israelites had been specially gifted with the knowledge and skill by God to make this garment for Aaron.
It must be made precisely to specifications.
"Consecrate":
This means to set aside or sanctify.
Exodus 28:4 "And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."
The garments peculiar to the high priest are taken first, and described with great elaboration in thirty-six verses (4-39).
The most conspicuous was the breastplate, (described in Exodus 28:13-30), and here mentioned first of all.
Next to this came the peculiar vestment called the “ephod,” a sort of jerkin or waistcoat, upon which the breastplate was worn (described in Exodus 28:6-12).
Under the ephod was the long robe of blue, called “the robe of the ephod,” which may be considered as the main garment, and which is described (in Exodus 28:31-35).
Upon his head the high priest wore a “mitre” or turban (described in Exodus 28:36-38).
And inside his “robe” he wore a linen shirt or tunic, secured by a girdle (Exodus 28:39).
Underneath the tunic, he wore linen drawers (Exodus 28:42-43).
Nothing is said as to any covering for his feet; but it is probable that they were protected by sandals.
"And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons”: As those before mentioned, with some others not mentioned.
Some for Aaron only, and others that were to be worn by his sons also.
"That he may minister unto me in the priest's office":
These were necessary to the execution of the priestly office, and an essential qualification for it, and without which it was not lawful to serve in it.
These were the separate items that Aaron was to wear.
They were not necessarily in the order he would put them on.
In (chapter 6 of Ephesians), we see the garment that Christians are to be clothed in.
If we carefully look at the two, we can probably see some comparisons.
Ephesians 6:13-17 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
You see, both have a breastplate, both have a head piece and both have something about the feet; to mention a few.
As we go on, I believe we will be able to see more similarities.
Verses 5-13
“Ephod”: Whenever Aaron entered the sanctuary; he carried with him on his shoulders the badge and the engraved stones that were representative of the 12 tribes.
Exodus 28:5 "And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen."
Except for the gold, the materials were the same as those of the tabernacle cloth.
The veil of the tabernacle and the entrance curtain of the tent (Exodus 26:1; 26:31; 26:36; 25:4).
The gold was made into thin flat wires which could either be woven with the woolen and linen threads, or worked with the needle.
Regarding the mixture of linen and woolen threads in the High priest's dress (see Lev. 19:19).
Verses 6-21
The “ephod” was a two-part, sleeveless outer garment that covered the priest’s upper body.
The names of Israel’s 12 tribes were engraved on the “stones” at the shoulders so that as Aaron entered the tabernacle, he would bear Israel’s “names” before the LORD.
Aaron’s “breastplate” bore 12 precious gems.
Each “stone” was also inscribed with the name of one of the “sons of Israel,” showing that the priest represented all 12 tribes.
Exodus 28:6 "And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work."
“The ephod”: The Hebrew word has the same breadth of meaning as our word vestment. The garment was worn over the shoulders, and was the distinctive vestment of the High priest, to which "the breast-plate of judgment" was attached (Exodus 28:25-28).
"Cunning work”: Skilled work, or work of a skilled man (Exodus 35:35).
This "ephod" was kind of like an over garment.
This was made of the fine linen and colored linen of blue, purple and scarlet. This was the garment the breastplate would fit over.
This was held together on the shoulders by the two onyx clasps.
The material was sewn by gold thread which held it together.
This beautiful, thin, pure gold thread was what it was sewn with.
Exodus 39:3 “And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut [it into] wires, to work [it] in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, [with] cunning work."
This gold interwoven in this garment made it beautiful.
Exodus 28:7 "It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and [so] it shall be joined together."
The ephod consisted of two principal pieces of cloth, one for the back and the other for the front, joined together by shoulder straps.
Below the arms, probably just above the hips, the two pieces were kept in place by a band attached to one of the pieces.
On the respect in which the ephod of the High priest was held (see 1 Sam. 2:28; 14:3; 21:9; 23:6- 9; 30:7).
But an ephod made of linen appears to have been a recognized garment not only for the common priests (1 Sam. 22:18), but also for those who were even temporarily engaged in the service of the sanctuary (1 Sam. 2:18; 2 Sam. 6:14; 1 Chron. 15:27).
Exodus 28:8 "And the curious girdle of the ephod, which [is] upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; [even of] gold, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen."
Which was worn along with it; and went out from it like two thongs, as Jarchi says; which girt the ephod close to the back and breast.
"Shall be of the same":
Of the same matter as the ephod, and woven in the same manner, and together with it.
"According to the work thereof":
Wrought with the same colored, curious, and cunning work.
"Even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen":
And from the gold in it, it was called a golden girdle, to distinguish it from others. And with it the priest was girt under the arm holes about the paps, to which the allusion is (Rev. 1:13).
And is an emblem of the close union of the human nature of Christ to his divine which is the effect of his love to his people.
Which, as it is seen in his incarnation, so more especially in his sufferings and death.
And it may denote his strength to do his work as a priest, his readiness to perform it, and his faithfulness and integrity in it.
Righteousness being the girdle of his loins; and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Exodus 28:9 "And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:"
Two onyx stones.
The correctness of this rendering has been much disputed.
The LXX give "emerald (meaning green in color)" as the Greek equivalent in the present passage, while many argue for the beryl for the sardonyx. This last rendering has the support of Josephus and Aquila.
The sardonyx is, in fact, nothing but the best kind of onyx, differing from the onyx by having three layers - black, white, and red - instead of two, black and white only.
The probability is, that it is the stone here intended.
It is an excellent material for engraving.
With respect to the possibility of Moses having in the congregation persons who could engrave the sardonyx, we may remark that the Egyptians cut stones quite as hard, from a date long earlier to the exodus. “Grave on them the names of the children of Israel”:
Egyptian names are frequently found engraved on rings and amulets in hard stone. These rings and amulets date from the time of the twelfth dynasty. The names here intended are evidently the Israelite tribe names, which are reckoned as twelve, the double tribe of Joseph counting as one only (compare Num. 1:10; Deut. 33:13-17).
Exodus 28:10 "Six of their names on one stone, and [the other] six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth."
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 engraved the names of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, 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.
We need to take another look at this garment of linen (blue, purple, and red), sewn together with this beautiful 24 karat hammered gold thread.
This garment and the girdle of the ephod were both of the same material.
In fact, it was difficult to separate the two as they were part of the same garment. The Hebrew word translated "onyx", means to shine with the luster of fire.
This was a very precious stone to have this brilliance and is not the same stone we call onyx today. This stone on each side of the shoulder was mounted in pure gold and the stone on each shoulder was engraved with six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Both stones together carried all the names of the children of Israel. Aaron carried the names of all the tribes on his shoulders.
This girdle of the ephod probably held the garment close enough so as to spiritually make it a part of the high priest's body.
Exodus 28:11 "With the work of an engraver in stone, [like] the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold."
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 engraved the names of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, 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.
These names were on these stones like a signet on a ring.
The family name had an initial or a symbol that left no doubt which of the twelve tribes it was. One of the things (on the high priest's shoulder), indicates the responsibility of the pastor for his congregation.
The weight of the church falls upon the shoulder of the pastor.
Exodus 28:12 "And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod [for] stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial."
Rather, for the children of Israel.
The intention was that the stones should be “stones of memorial” to God, on behalf of Israel; should remind God that the high priest represented all the tribes, and pleaded before Him on their behalf, and in their name. The tribes were represented doubly in the costume of the high priest, by the onyx stones and by the stones of the breastplate.
"And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial”: Signifying his presentation of them to the LORD when he appeared before him on the mercy seat. His intercession for them, and his patient bearing all their infirmities and weaknesses.
In which he was a type of Christ, who presents all his people to his divine Father, makes intercession for them, and bears all their burdens, the care and government of them being upon his shoulders (Isa. 9:6).
These "stones of memorial" here, just meant that Aaron was not just representing himself when he appeared before God, but was in fact representing himself and all the children of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Exodus 28:13 "And thou shalt make ouches [of] gold;"
“Buttons” or “rosettes” of similar open-work to that which formed the setting of the onyx stones upon the shoulders of the ephod (Exodus 28:11). These “buttons” must have been sewn on to the ephod.
This just means that the stones that bore the names of six tribes on each shoulder were set in a gold mount.
Gold meaning "God", shows us that He was right there with them as long as they were stayed in Him.
Exodus 28:14 "And two chains [of] pure gold at the ends; [of] wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches."
The use of which was to hang the breast plate on, after described.
One end of them was fastened to rings on the ouches in the shoulder pieces, and the other end to rings on the breastplate, and thus it hung.
"Of wreathen work shall thou make them":
These chains were not made after the manner of circles or ringlets coupled together, as chains usually are, but of golden wires twisted together as a rope is twisted.
"And fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches":
To the ouches on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, in which the onyx stones were set, very probably to rings that were in these ouches.
These chains would be connected to the ouches and the breastplate to secure the breastplate to the garment of the high priest.
Verses 15-30
“Breastplate of judgment”:
The 12 precious stones, each engraved with a tribe’s name, colorfully and ornately displayed Aaron’s representative role of intercession for the tribes before the LORD.
The breastplate was to be securely fastened to the ephod so as not to come loose from it (verse 28; 39:21).
Thus, to speak of the ephod after this was done would be to speak of the whole ensemble.
Exodus 28:15 "And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it."
The word khoshen does not really signify “breastplate,” but “ornament.”
It was the main ornament of the priestly attire.
It was called “the ornament of judgment” on account of its containing the Urim and Thummim, whereby God’s “judgments” were made known to His people (see Note on Exodus 28:30).
"With cunning work":
Rather, of the work of the weaver (compare Exodus 26:1; 26:31; 28:6).
"Of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it":
A piece of stuff interwoven with threads of gold, or golden wires, and with threads of yarn, of blue, purple, and scarlet colors.
And with threads of fine twined linen six times doubled.
All which may signify the beautiful array of the saints, with the several graces of the Spirit.
And especially their being clothed with fine linen, called the righteousness of the saints.
That raiment of needlework, and clothing of wrought gold, the righteousness of Christ, consisting of his obedience, sufferings, and death, fitly expressed by these various colors.
This breastplate was like an ornament.
In fact, that is what the original word translated breastplate means.
The Greek word for breastplate is translated oracle.
We find that the breastplate was made of this same fine twined linen; woven with blue, red, and purple that was used in the ephod.
Exodus 28:16 "Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof."
It was doubled for greater strength that it might better support and secure the precious stones which were put into it, and that it might receive the Urim and Thummim (Lev. 8:8).
This was a square piece to be worn in the center of the front.
This was doubled to make a kind of pouch at the back called the Urim and Thummim.
I believe this Urim and Thummim held a stone engraved with the unspeakable name of God on it; next to the heart, under the breastplate.
"Urim" means lights or fire and "Thummim" means perfections.
We will see by this that God speaks through the heart.
Exodus 28:17 "And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the
first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first row."
Or "fill in it fillings of stones"; which shows that there were in it ouches, or sockets of gold, the hollows of which were to be filled up with precious stones.
"Even four rows of stones”:
Making a four square, and so filling up the measure of the breastplate.
"The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle":
About these stones, and those that follow, there is a great variety of interpretations of them, both among Jews and Christians; and they seem to be little known.
Exodus 28:18 "And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond."
"An emerald”: Rather the garnet, which when cut with a convex face is termed the carbuncle.
"A sapphire":
Not the stone now called the sapphire; the lapis-lazuli is most probably meant.
"A diamond":
There is no trace of evidence that the ancients ever acquired the skill to engrave on the diamond, or even that they were acquainted with the stone.
The "diamond" here may possibly be some variety of chalcedony, or (perhaps) rock crystal.
Exodus 28:19 "And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst."
The term "ligure" is unknown in modern mineralogy; and it is to the last degree uncertain what stone the ancients intended by their lingurium or lapis ligurius. Some think that "jacinth," others that "tourmaline," is the stone here meant. A few suggest amber, but amber cannot receive an engraving.
"Agate" and "amethyst" are generally allowed to be right translations.
Exodus 28:20 "And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their enclosings."
If the identifications above suggested are allowed, two at least of these translations must be rejected.
We have supposed the third stone in the first row to have been the "beryl," and the third in the second the "onyx."
Perhaps we should translate, "a turquoise, a sardonyx, and a jasper" (see comment on verse 9), their enclosings, rather, "their settings," as (in verse 17).
Exodus 28:21 "And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes."
Rather, the stones shall be "according to their names" etc., the twelve, neither more nor fewer. “Every one with his name":
Rather, each stone, according to its name (i.e., the name engraved upon it), shall be (or stand for), one of the twelve tribes.
We see that this square breastplate had four rows of three stones each.
These stones were set down in little gold holders.
Each stone had one name of one of the tribes of Israel engraved in the stone. The mark or signet signified which tribe it represented.
This breastplate's position over the heart tells us that the high priest had all the people on his heart all the time.
We talked earlier about the Urim and Thummim being inside this breastplate. The stones in various colors probably had some significant reason and meaning. Each family possibly had a stone or color or both, that represented, along with their signet, their tribe. These perhaps, were not the same names these stones are known by in our society today. Since we are unsure of any further meaning, we will not belabor this point. We are all precious stones to the LORD.
Exodus 28:22 "And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends [of] wreathen work [of] pure gold."
One end of them to be put to the breastplate and the other end to the ouches on the shoulder pieces of the ephod; by which the breastplate hung from. The Targum of Jonathan renders it, chains of a certain determined size, of length and thickness exactly alike.
Or terminable ones, as it may be rendered, not circular like a locket, or chain of gold worn about the neck, but that had ends to it.
Some interpret it chains, made like ropes, in the same manner as cables are, twisted together; and such it is certain they were, by what follows.
"Of wreathen work of pure gold":
Not of circles and ringlets of gold coupled together, but of golden wires twisted together, as ropes are.
Exodus 28:23 "And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate."
Meaning; on the two upper corners of the breastplate.
The chains were to be passed through the two rings, which they were then to unite with the “ouches” of the ephod (see Exodus 28:13-14).
Exodus 28:24 "And thou shalt put the two wreathen [chains] of gold in the two rings [which are] on the ends of the breastplate."
This expresses both how many chains were to be made, which is not before said, and the use of them, or where they were to be put, as well as the use of the rings. "Which are on the ends of the breastplate":
The two uppermost ends or corners of it.
Exodus 28:25 "And [the other] two ends of the two wreathen [chains] thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put [them] on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it."
In which the two onyx stones were set on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, and were as buttons to them. Probably there were rings to those ouches, into which these ends of the wreathen chains of gold, reaching from the breastplate, were put. Or however, by some means or other they were fastened to these ouches or sockets. "And put them in the shoulder pieces of the ephod before it”: That is, on the ouches upon them, as before observed: into that part or side of the ouches which was to be the fore part of the ephod. So that the breastplate hung by these chains from the shoulder pieces of the ephod, on the fore part of it, upon the breast of the high priest.
Exodus 28:26 "And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which [is] in the side of the ephod inward."
Two other rings besides those before mentioned.
"And thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate": On the other two ends or corners of it.
"In the border thereof which is in the side of the ephod inward":
These were at the two lower ends of the breastplate, towards the ephod on the inside.
Exodus 28:27 "And two [other] rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod."
Two gold rings were also to be sewn on to the ephod, low down and in front, so as just to appear above the “curious girdle of the ephod,” and the lower rings of the breastplate were to be laced to these rings by a “lace of blue.” The breastplate was thus securely attached to the ephod, and showed above the “curious girdle” without covering it.
We see that these chains of gold connected the ephod, breastplate and ouches together. The chain that binds the church and its people together is of God. This chain from the ouches went through the rings and connected all the garments.
Exodus 28:1-27 Questions
1.Who did God tell Moses to set aside for the priesthood?
2.Name them.
3.What two jobs did the high priest have?
4.Who was the only one who could enter into the Holy of Holies?
5.What does "Abihu" mean?
6.What does "Nadab" mean?
7.What does "Eleazar" mean?
8."Ithammar" means what"
9.What two things did the holy garments stand for?
10.Who was to make the garment of the priest?
11.What six things were they to make?
12.Where do we find the instructions on the garment Christians are to wear?
13.What is the sword of the Spirit?
14.What shall the ephod be made of?
15.What was the thread made of?
16.What was on the shoulders?
17.What was engraved on the onyx?
18.The word translated "onyx" means what?
19.What was the girdle like?
20.What was the engraving in the stones like?
21.What does the fact that these stones were carried on the high priest's shoulder mean to us today?
22.What did these stones of memorials mean?
23.What was the purpose of the two chains?
24.The breastplate was like an ______________.
25.The Greek word for breastplate means what?
26.Where were the Urim and Thummim?
27.What does "Urim" mean?
28.What does "Thummim" mean?
29.What was the shape of the breastplate?
30.How were the stones on the breastplate arranged?
31.What was a descriptive word used describing the girdle?
Exodus 28:28 "And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that [it] may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod."
By the rings at the lower ends of it, as it was by the rings at the upper ends of it to the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Or "lift it up", so some interpret it as if it was said, they shall lift up the breastplate to join it with the ephod that is above it.
"Unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue":
This blue lace was put both into the rings of the breastplate and into the rings of the ephod, and so being tied in a knot, fastened them together.
As the shoulder pieces of the ephod and the breastplate were coupled above, with wreathen chains of gold put into rings: now this was done.
"That it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod":
That the breastplate might be above it, or else the lace of blue.
"And that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod”:
But be kept tight and close to it by the wreathen chains above, and by the knots of blue lace below. Which may denote the conjunction of the prophetic and priestly offices in Christ.
The former being signified by the breastplate of judgment, in which the Urim and Thummim were, and the latter by the ephod.
Or else the union of the saints to Christ. The bond of which is everlasting love, from which there can be no separation.
This union can never be dissolved, his people can never be loosed from him, they are members of his body, and one spirit with him.
Here we see this lace strip of blue showing spiritually that the heavenly is what holds all of this together.
Exodus 28:29 "And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy [place], for a memorial before the LORD continually."
"Aaron,":
Shall not only bear the names of the twelve tribes upon his shoulders (verse 12), but also upon his heart.
He shall thus make a double presentation of them to God continually.
The explanation is somewhat fanciful, that the names on the shoulder stones indicated that the people were somewhat of a burden to him, while those on the stones of the breast plate, being upon his breast, indicated that he bore them affection.
The breast and the shoulder were probably chosen as being conspicuous and honorable positions.
This is just telling us over again, that a minister (then and now), must keep his people upon his heart and think of their needs before his own.
Exodus 28:30 "And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually."
“Urim and the Thummim”:
The purpose for the “breastplate” was for “judgment” (verse 15).
The Urim and Thummim were deposited in the pouch and functioned as sacred lots used as the means of making judgments (verse 30).
The word Urim begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and Thummim begins with the last letter.
This may imply the lots were restricted to giving either positive or negative responses to questions asked of them.
A good translation of the terms into English is “curses and perfections,” meaning that if Urim dominated when the lots were cast, the answer would be “no”; but if Thummim dominated, the answer would be “yes.”
The passages in which the terms Urim and the Thummim appear (Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21; Deut. 33:8; 1 Sam. 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65), and those which record inquiries of the LORD when a High-Priest with the ephod was present (Joshua 9:14; Judges 1:1-2; 20:18; 1 Sam. 10:22; 23:2, 4, 10-12; 1 Chron. 10:14), allow for the following conclusions:
(1)That these two objects represented the right of the High-Priest to request guidance for the acknowledged leader who could not approach God directly, as Moses had done, but had to come via the God-ordained priestly structure;
(2)That the revelation then received gave specific direction for an immediate problem or crisis, and went beyond what could be associated with some sort of sacred lots providing merely a wordless “yes” or “no” response.
We do not know how many there were, what they looked like, or exactly how they were used.
There were numerous instances in the Old Testament where they were employed, even though it was not always explicitly stated in such cases.
It was not like throwing dice, because the results were not determined by chance.
The priest knew that the lots’ outcome was “of the LORD” (Prov. 16:33).
(Acts 1:23-26), is the last mention of a divine decision mediated through lots.
When the Holy Spirit came in power on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the need for the casting of lots disappeared.
This concern for his people was continued, as long as he was the high priest.
This tells our pastors of our churches today of the great responsibility they have toward their members.
Verses 31-39
The “hem” of Aaron’s robe was interspersed with golden “bells.”
The sound of the bells indicated to those outside the Most Holy Place that the high priest was alive, he had not been consumed by the LORD’s anger while fulfilling his duties.
Verses 31-35 Explain about the priest’s outer garment.
Exodus 28:31 "And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all [of] blue."
This was next under the ephod, and reached down to the knees, without sleeves, and was put on over the head, having holes on the sides to put the arms through. Or, as Maimonides describes it, was not sewed together on the sides at all. The hole on the top, through which the head was put, was carefully bound about that it might not tear in the putting on. The bells gave notice to the people in the outer court when he went into the holy place to burn incense, that they might then apply themselves to their devotions at the same time (Luke 1:10).
In token of their concurrence with him, and their hopes of the ascent of their prayers to God in the virtue of the incense he offered.
Aaron must come near to minister in the garments that were appointed him, so that he doesn’t die.
It is at his peril if he attends otherwise than according to the institution.
Exodus 28:32 "And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent."
“Hole of a habergeon”:
A flexile metal covering used by the Egyptians for protection in battle.
This means that around the neck where the head went through was not left raw, where the linen garment could ravel away, but had binding around the opening so it wouldn't ravel out.
Exodus 28:33 "And [beneath] upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:"
“Bells of gold”:
The sound of the tinkling bells sewn on the hem of the High-Priest’s robe signaled those waiting outside the Holy Place that their representative ministering before the LORD as still alive and moving about, fulfilling his duties.
Exodus 28:34 "A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about."
The bells were hung between the pomegranates, which were said to have amounted to seventy- two.
And the use of them seems to have been to announce to the people when the high priest entered the most holy place, that they might accompany him with their prayers. And also, to remind himself to be attired in his official dress, to minister without which was death.
These "pomegranates" which were the fruit of the land of the Hebrews, represented to God that the high priests came from the people.
These "pomegranates" on the special robe of the priest were red, blue and purple. This could be associated with the fruit of the Spirit spiritually. This robe of peace that the high priest wore had these pomegranates, which was the fruit of the land, on it.
This is peaceable fruit.
Jesus, who brought peace and rooted the Christian in love, expects us to bear fruit. These "golden bells" brought a beautiful melody as he walked. In fact, it served two purposes.
The beautiful melody was pleasing unto God.
If the high priest was not accepted of God when he entered the Holy of Holies and God killed him, they could tell that the bells had stopped chiming and knew he was dead.
They could drag him out with the rope tied to his leg.
It seemed also, that if God didn't hear these bells ringing when they came in, He was angry with the priest.
The high priest wore this special garment, when he went to speak to God for the people. The garment he wore on Day of Atonement when he went into the Holy of Holies, had no ornamentation.
The shed blood that he carried in and put on the mercy seat, was what kept the high priest safe.
Exodus 28:35 "And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy [place] before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not."
Its sound, i.e. the sound of the robe, that the people, who stood without, when they heard the sound of the bells within the tabernacle, might have a sensible proof that the high priest was performing the sacred rite in their behalf, though he was out of their sight.
"That he die not":
The bells also bore witness that the high priest was, at the time of his administration, duly attired in the dress of his office.
And so was not incurring the sentence of death (see Exodus 28:43).
An infraction of the laws for the service of the sanctuary was not merely an act of disobedience; it was a direct insult to the presence of Yahweh from His ordained minister, and justly incurred a sentence of capital punishment (compare Exodus 30:21; Lev. 8:35; 10:7).
This was just saying that he must not come in unto God without God being aware he was coming and going.
These bells sounded with every step and he could be kept up with easily with this sound.
Verses 36-38
“Mitre”:
The headdress carried the declaration essential to worship and priestly representation. Namely the holiness of the LORD, and in so doing reminded the High-Priest and all others that their approach to God must be done with reverence.
Exodus 28:36 "And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD."
The plate, though a mere ornament of the mitre, was, at once, its most conspicuous and its most significant feature.
Placed directly in front, right over the forehead, and probably of burnished gold, it would attract universal attention, and catch the eye even more than the breast plate. Its position made it "the culminating point of the whole priestly attire", and its inscription gave to that position extraordinary force and significance. For it taught that "holiness to the LORD" is the very highest crown and truest excellence of religion. That to which all ceremonial is meant to conduce, that without which all the paraphernalia of worship must ever be in God's sight a mockery. It set this truth conspicuously before the eyes, and was apt to impress it upon the hearts of all.
It taught the high priest himself not to rest upon outward forms, but to aim in his own person, and teach the people to aim continually, at internal holiness. The extreme importance of this, causes the putting forward at once of the plate and its inscription before any account of the "mitre" is given.
Exodus 28:37 "And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be."
“they tied unto it a lace of blue.” Probably the two ends of the plate were perforated, and a blue lace or cord passed through the holes and tied to the plate, which was then put in front of the turban and kept in place by the two cords being tied together at the back of the head.
Exodus 28:38 "And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD."
It shall be upon his forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the sacred things. Imperfection attaches to everything that man does; and even the sacrifices that the people offered to God required to be atoned for and purified. It was granted to the high priest in his official capacity to make the necessary atonement, and so render the people's gifts acceptable. For this purpose, he was invested with an official holiness, proclaimed by the inscription upon the plate, which exhibited him as the type and representative of that perfectly Holy One.
Through whom alone can any real atonement be made to the Father?
It shall be always upon his forehead, i.e., whenever he ministers.
The Hebrew word translated "mitre", is an unusual word in that it was used only for the name of the high priest's headdress.
This headdress of linen was very similar to a turban.
This ribbon that went around the head held this metal plate that proclaimed, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD", in the front of the headdress. This "mitre", worn in the presence of God seems to show the high priest's humility before God. The linen this was made of symbolized righteousness. The person representing the people to God must have righteousness.
They must be in right standing with God.
This "mitre" could be showing Jesus' power and authority.
(Ezekiel chapter 21:25-27), tells of some person who really is evil having a mitre or diadem on, proclaiming to be the leader of God's kingdom when, in fact, he is the antichrist.
He is told to remove this headdress of authority.
It appears that he will be of Hebrew descent and have great church power, as well as world power.
At any rate, this mitre shows power and authority.
The metal plate, which proclaimed Holiness to the LORD, showed in the Spirit that the LORD must be on the mind of the high priest always.
The forehead is a symbol of man's mind or will.
A person with the mind of Christ proclaims HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
The world calls people crazy who believe in God.
The Christian's mind should be stayed on God.
Jesus is the greatest high priest of all time.
Hebrews 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession."
Hebrews 7:26-27 "For such a high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”
Exodus 28:39 "And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre [of] fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle [of] needlework."
A long tunic or cassock.
Josephus says that it was worn next the skin, that it reached to the feet, and that it had closely fitting sleeves.
The verb translated "embroider" appears rather to mean weave in diaper work. The tissue consisted of threads of one and the same color diapered in checkers, or in some small figure.
The girdle of needlework":
The girdle of the work of the embroiderer (Exodus 26:1; 35:35).
The word translated "girdle" is different from that so rendered (see the note in Exodus 28:80), and is probably Egyptian.
Josephus says that it was wound several times round the body, and that its ends ordinarily hung down to the feet, but was thrown over the shoulder when the priest was engaged in his work.
“Coat (or tunic) … girdle”: An undergarment.
This is saying that all of this was worked in fine linen, a cunning needlework.
Verses 40-43
Special garments were also made for Aaron’s sons.
The “trousers” protected the priests from unintentional immodesty as they led the people in worship. The rest of the priests also had distinctive dress to wear, visually setting them apart from the ordinary citizen. Failure to comply with the dress regulations when serving in the sanctuary brought death. Such a severe consequence stressed the importance of their duties and should have motivated the priests not to consider their priestly role as a mundane, routine, and thankless task.
Exodus 28:40 "And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty."
I.e., linen tunics like that of the high priest already described (see the note on Exodus 28:39), but not woven in any peculiar fashion.
“Girdles": Perhaps similar to the inner girdle of the high priest, but nowhere described. “Bonnets": Rather, caps. Plain, close-fitting caps, like those so commonly worn in Egypt, seem to be intended.
The word used, migbâ’ah, is derived from gâbia’, “a cup” or “basin.”
"For glory and for beauty”: It is certainly remarkable that so plain a dress as that of the ordinary priests, a white tunic, a girdle, which may or may not have been embroidered, and a plain white close-fitting cap; should be regarded as sufficing “for glory and for beauty.”
White robes, however, are in Scripture constantly represented as eminently glorious (Dan. 7:9; Mark 9:3; John 20:12; Acts 1:10; Rev. 4:4; 6:11; 7:9-14; 15:6).
Aaron's sons were to have special garments as well, but they were plainer.
Their garments were for priests; whereas Aaron's garment was for the high priest.
There were several differences.
The son's or priests' clothing was made of fine white linen with no embroidery.
Their entire outfit was a coat, girdle and bonnet.
There was no breastplate and no engraved stones.
These priests were really symbolic of members of the churches today.
They had access to the Holy Place, but do not bear the great responsibility for the people that the high priest did.
These priests had on white robes.
The victorious Christians in heaven are dressed in white robes of righteousness.
Jesus is the pattern the Christians look to, the high priest was the pattern the priest looked to.
This girdle or belt the priests wore was the girdle of truth for the Christians' mentioned (in chapter 6 of Ephesians).
These "bonnets" of the priests were for beauty and glory.
The Christians headdress is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:7).
Exodus 28:41 "And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office."
Moses was by these words commanded to take the part in the consecration of Aaron and his sons which he is related to have taken (in Leviticus 8:6-30).
"And shalt anoint them":
He anointed Aaron by pouring the holy oil upon his head (Lev. 8:12); but his sons only by sprinkling some of it upon their garments, as he did upon Aaron’s also, together with some blood of the sacrifice (Exodus 29:21; Lev. 8:30).
"And consecrate them":
In the Hebrew it is, Thou shalt fill their hands; alluding, probably, to the ceremony of putting into their hands the ensigns of their office, or to that of putting the wave-offering into their hands, that they might wave it before the LORD (Exodus 29:24; Lev. 8:27).
Hebrew, fill their hand, i.e. present them to God with part of the sacrifice in their hands, as we find (Exodus 29:24), by that rite putting them into their office.
“And sanctify them”:
By all this, set them apart, and devote them to the sacred office of priesthood.
“That they may minister unto me in the priest's office”:
By offering sacrifices for the people, burning incense, and doing other things relative to the office.
It seems that the garments we have been describing above, and in the last few lessons, were the only acceptable attire of the high priest and his sons, the priests, when they came into the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies to minister to God.
There were no exceptions.
Each garment had a purpose and a meaning.
Moses was instructed to put these garments on all of them, anoint them for the priesthood and teach them how to be acceptable to God.
Exodus 28:42 "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:"
Or "the flesh of nakedness", that part of the body which ought not to be naked and exposed to view, and which, when it is, causes shame and ridicule.
What part is designed is easily gathered from the next clause; great care was taken, in the service of God's house, to preserve decency, prevent immodesty, and to guard against laughter and levity. And the like care should be always taken (see Exodus 28:2).
"From the loins even unto the thigh they shall reach":
They were to reach above the navel near the heart, and to the end of the thigh, which is the knee.
As Maimonides says; who also observes, that they had strings, but had no opening before or behind, but were drawn up round like a purse.
They were a sort of drawers, and somewhat like our sailors' trousers.
Exodus 28:43 "And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy [place]; that they bear not iniquity, and die: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him."
Not the linen breeches only, but all the other garments.
"When they come into the tabernacle of the congregation":
Even into that part of it where the people assembled, the court of the tabernacle, and where was the altar of burnt offering, on which they offered the sacrifices of the people, but never without the priestly garments on.
"Or when they came near unto the altar to minister in the holy place":
At the altar of incense which stood there.
Or when they came to trim the lamps of the candlestick, and set the shewbread on the table, and take away the old, which candlestick and shewbread table were both in the holy place.
"That they bear not iniquity and die":
Be guilty of sin in not having their priestly garments on in time of service, and so bear the punishment of it and die for it.
The Targum of Jonathan adds: with flaming fire, with fire from heaven, such as Nadab and Abihu were afterwards consumed with.
A high priest that had not the eight garments on, or a common priest that had not his four garments, his service was illegal and rejected, and he was guilty of death by the hand of heaven.
As Maimonides says; that is, he was deserving of immediate death from the hand of God, and might expect it.
"It shall be a statute for ever unto him, and his seed after him":
As long as the Aaronic priesthood continued, until Christ should arise, made a high priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedek.
And should put an end to the priesthood of the former, by answering and fulfilling all the types and shadows of it.
This respects all that is said in this chapter concerning the vestments of the priests, one and another.
These garments of righteousness (linen), were not to be decorated as the embroidered coat. These were used for a special purpose: to cover the nakedness of the legs and hips.
The first result of sin in the Bible was that man discovered he was naked.
The Christian's sins have been forever covered with the righteousness (white linen), of Jesus Christ.
The truth is that our sins are no more.
Jesus as Christ washed us in His precious blood and our sins have been washed away. We are clothed in white robes, washed in His blood.
We have taken on His righteousness.
We too are acceptable to God in our white linen.
Many in our society would try to do away with the blood of the cross of Calvary, but it is the shed blood of Jesus Christ that makes us acceptable to the Father.
If we did not have this blood of the precious Lamb of God (Jesus Christ), covering us, our nakedness (sin), would be unacceptable to the Father.
I believe this is the spiritual meaning of these "linen breeches”
Exodus Chapter 28:28-43 Questions
1.Who did God tell Moses to set aside for the priesthood?
2.Name them.
3.What two jobs did the high priest have?
4.Who was the only one who could enter into the Holy of Holies?
5.What does "Abihu" mean?
6.What does "Nadab" mean?
7.What does "Eleazar" mean?
8."Ithammar" means what"
9.What two things did the holy garments stand for?
10.Who was to make the garment of the priest?
11.What six things were they to make?
12.Where do we find the instructions on the garment Christians are to wear?
13.What is the sword of the Spirit?
14.What shall the ephod be made of?
15.What was the thread made of?
16.What was on the shoulders?
17.What was engraved on the onyx?
18.The word translated "onyx" means what?
19.What was the girdle like?
20.What was the engraving in the stones like?
21.What does the fact that these stones were carried on the high priest's shoulder mean to us today?
22.What did these stones of memorials mean?
23.What was the purpose of the two chains?
24.The breastplate was like an ______________.
25.The Greek word for breastplate means what?
26.Where were the Urim and Thummim?
27.What does "Urim" mean?
28.What does "Thummim" mean?
29.What was the shape of the breastplate?
30.How were the stones on the breastplate arranged?
31.What was a descriptive word used describing the girdle?
1.What did this "blue lace" that joins show spiritually?
2.Where shall Aaron bear the names of the sons of Israel?
3.What is this saying to the ministers of our day?
4.What two things were to be put into the breastplate?
5.How long was a high priest to be concerned about his people?
6.What color was the robe of the ephod to be?
7.What two ornamental things were to be around the hem of the garment?
8.What were the colors of the fruit mentioned?
9.What were the bells to be made of?
10.What did the "pomegranates" spiritually mean?
11.What does Jesus expect Christians to do that is represented by these "pomegranates"?
12.What two purposes did the bells fulfill?
13.Describe the garment the high priest wore on Day of Atonement?
14.What protected him, when he went into the Holy of Holies?
15.What was the plate for the headdress made of?
16.What was the high priest's headdress called?
17.What was written on the plate?
18.This mitre, the high priest wore, showed ____________ to God.
19."Linen" symbolizes what?
20.In Ezekiel, we read of an evil one wearing a mitre or diadem. Who is he, probably?
21.What should be on the mind of the High priest continually?
22.Who was the greatest high priest of all?
23.Describe the Christian's high priest.
24.How did Aaron's sons' coats differ from Aaron's?
25.What garment do victorious Christians wear in heaven?
26.The girdle the Christians wear is what?
27.What is the Christian's headdress?
28.What was the headdress of the priests?
29.What was Moses to do to the priests to consecrate them to God?
30.What were the breeches to be made of?
31.What was their purpose?
32.What was the first result of sin in the Bible?
33.Our sins are not just hidden. If we are a Christian, they are what?
34.What is the move in the Christian world that would actually do away with our salvation, if it is successful?
35.What is the spiritual meaning of the "linen breeches”?
“May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other,” says Laban to Jacob, in words that have come to be known as the Mizpah. (Genesis 31:49)