Exodus 28:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Speak to all the craftsmen to whom I have given the spirit of wisdom, and have them make Aharon's garments to set him apart for me, so that he can serve me in the office of cohen.

Berean Standard Bible:

You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest.

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt speak^{H1696} unto all that are wise^{H2450} hearted^{H3820}, whom I have filled^{H4390} with the spirit^{H7307} of wisdom^{H2451}, that they may make^{H6213} Aaron's^{H175} garments^{H899} to consecrate^{H6942} him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office^{H3547}.

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Commentary for Exodus 28:3

**Themes:**

1. **Divine Appointment and Wisdom:** The verse emphasizes that the skills and wisdom necessary to create the priestly garments are divinely bestowed gifts. God has filled certain individuals with the spirit of wisdom for a specific purpose.
2. **Consecration and Holiness:** The creation of Aaron's garments is part of the process of setting Aaron apart as the high priest, a role that requires holiness and is symbolized by specific attire.
3. **Craftsmanship as Worship:** The act of making the garments is an integral part of worship and service to God, highlighting the importance of using one's talents in service to the divine.
4. **Priestly Role and Mediation:** Aaron's role as high priest is to mediate between God and the people, and his garments are a symbol of his office and the dignity associated with it.

**Historical Context:**

Exodus 28:3 is set within the broader context of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws at Mount Sinai, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God would dwell among His people. This includes the establishment of the priesthood, with Aaron, Moses' brother, as the first high priest.

The garments mentioned in this verse are not merely clothing but are ceremonial vestments that hold deep symbolic meaning. They are to be crafted with the finest materials and skilled workmanship, reflecting the holiness of the priestly office. The creation of these garments is a communal effort, involving those who have been specially gifted by God with the ability to create them.

This period reflects a formative time in the religious and cultural development of the Israelite nation, as they transition from a group of escaped slaves to a people with a distinct identity, centered on their relationship with God and the worship practices He prescribes. The detailed attention to the priesthood and its vestments underscores the importance of proper worship and the role of the priesthood in maintaining that worship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2450
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָכָם
   Transliteration: châkâm
   Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
   Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3820
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵב
   Transliteration: lêb
   Pronunciation: labe
   Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4390
   There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָלֵא
   Transliteration: mâlêʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-lay'
   Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
6. Strong's Number: H2451
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חׇכְמָה
   Transliteration: chokmâh
   Pronunciation: khok-maw'
   Description: from חָכַם; wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
8. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
9. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6942
    There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָדַשׁ
    Transliteration: qâdash
    Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
    Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3547
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּהַן
    Transliteration: kâhan
    Pronunciation: kaw-han'
    Description: a primitive root, apparently meaning to mediate in religious services; but used only as denominative from כֹּהֵן; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia; deck, be (do the office of a, execute the, minister in the) priest('s office).