Exodus28

Exodus 28 details God's instructions for the holy garments of Aaron and his sons, to consecrate them for the priestly office. These garments include an ephod with engraved onyx stones, a breastplate of judgment with twelve precious stones representing the tribes, and a blue robe with bells and pomegranates. A golden plate inscribed "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" for Aaron's mitre, and linen breeches for all priests, complete the attire, ensuring their acceptance and protection in service.

The Selection of Aaron and His Sons

1
"You are to summon your brother Aharon and his sons to come from among the people of Isra'el to you, so that they can serve me as cohanim -Aharon and his sons Nadav, Avihu, El'azar and Itamar. ​

The Purpose of the Holy Garments

2
You are to make for your brother Aharon garments set apart for serving God, expressing dignity and splendor. ​
3
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. ​
4
"The garments they are to make are these: a breastplate, a ritual vest, a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make holy garments for your brother Aharon and his sons, so that he can serve me in the office of cohen. ​
5
They are to use gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and fine linen.

The Ephod and Shoulder Stones

6
"They are to make the ritual vest of gold, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely woven linen, crafted by a skilled artisan. ​
7
Attached to its front and back edges are to be two shoulder-pieces that can be fastened together.
8
Its decorated belt is to be of the same workmanship and materials - gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen.
9
Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Isra'el - ​
10
six of their names on one stone and the six remaining names on the other, in the order of their birth.
11
An engraver should engrave the names of the sons of Isra'el on the two stones as he would engrave a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings,
12
and put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the vest as stones calling to mind the sons of Isra'el. Aharon is to carry their names before ADONAI on his two shoulders as a reminder. ​
13
"Make gold squares
14
and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; attach the cord-like chains to the squares.

The Breastplate of Judgment

15
"Make a breastplate for judging. Have it crafted by a skilled artisan; make it like the work of the ritual vest - make it of gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen. ​
16
When folded double it is to be square - a hand-span by a hand-span.
17
Put on it settings of stones, four rows of stones: the first row is to be a carnelian, a topaz and an emerald;
18
the second row a green feldspar, a sapphire and a diamond;
19
the third row an orange zircon, an agate and an amethyst;
20
and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They are to be mounted in their gold settings.
21
The stones will correspond to the names of the twelve sons of Isra'el; they are to be engraved with their names as a seal would be engraved, to represent the twelve tribes. ​
22
"On the breastplate, make two pure gold chains twisted like cords.
23
Also for the breastplate, make two gold rings; and put the gold rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
24
Put the two twisted gold chains in the two rings at the two ends of the breastplate;
25
attach the other two ends of the twisted chains to the front of the shoulder-pieces of the ritual vest.
26
Make two gold rings and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, at its edge, on the side facing in toward the vest.
27
Also make two gold rings and attach them low on the front part of the vest's shoulder-pieces, near the join, above the vest's decorated belt.
28
Then bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the vest with a blue cord, so that it can be on the vest's decorated belt, and so that the breastplate won't swing loose from the vest.
29
Aharon will carry the names of the sons of Isra'el on the breastplate for judging, over his heart, when he enters the Holy Place, as a continual reminder before ADONAI. ​
30
You are to put the urim and the tumim in the breastplate for judging; they will be over Aharon's heart when he goes into the presence of ADONAI. Thus Aharon will always have the means for making decisions for the people of Isra'el over his heart when he is in the presence of ADONAI. ​

The Blue Robe with Bells

31
"You are to make the robe for the ritual vest entirely of blue. ​
32
It is to have an opening for the head in the middle. Around the opening is to be a border woven like the neck of a coat of mail, so that it won't tear.
33
On its bottom hem make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet; and put them all the way around, with gold bells between them all the way around -
34
gold bell, pomegranate, gold bell, pomegranate, all the way around the hem of the robe.
35
Aharon is to wear it when he ministers, and its sound will be heard whenever he enters the Holy Place before ADONAI and when he leaves, so that he won't die. ​

The Golden Plate and Mitre

36
"You are to make an ornament of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal, 'Set apart for ADONAI.' ​
37
Fasten it to the turban with a blue cord, on the front of the turban,
38
over Aharon's forehead. Because Aharon bears the guilt for any errors committed by the people of Isra'el in consecrating their holy gifts, this ornament is always to be on his forehead, so that the gifts for ADONAI will be accepted by him. ​
39
"You are to weave the checkered tunic of fine linen, make a turban of fine linen, and make a belt, the work of a weaver in colors.

Garments for the Common Priests

40
Likewise for Aharon's sons make tunics, sashes and headgear expressing dignity and splendor. ​
41
With them clothe your brother Aharon and his sons. Then anoint them, inaugurate them, and consecrate them, so that they will be able to serve me in the office of cohen. ​
42
Also make for them linen shorts reaching from waist to thigh, to cover their bare flesh. ​
43
Aharon and his sons are to wear them when they go into the tent of meeting and when they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they won't incur guilt and die. This is to be a perpetual regulation, both for him and for his descendants. ​

Study Notes for Exodus 28

Verse 1

Aaron and his sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar) are formally designated as the hereditary priesthood, separating them from the rest of the Levites for distinct service.

Verse 2

The garments were designed not just for function, but also to convey the solemn dignity and sacredness ('glory and for beauty') required for approaching God.

Verse 3

The materials and craftsmanship were highly valued, requiring artisans whom God had specially gifted ('filled with the spirit of wisdom') for this sacred construction project.

Verse 4

This verse lists the six primary articles of clothing for the High Priest: breastplate, ephod, robe, coat, mitre, and girdle.

Verse 6

The ephod was a highly decorated, apron-like outer garment, woven from the same fine materials and colors used in the Tabernacle curtains (Exod 26:1).

Verse 9

The use of precious onyx stones emphasizes the value of the tribes of Israel whom the priest represented before God.

Verse 12

By bearing the names on his shoulders (a place of strength), Aaron symbolized carrying the tribes of Israel into God's presence as their representative and advocate ('memorial').

Verse 15

Also called the 'Breastplate of Decision,' this piece held the sacred stones and the Urim and Thummim, connecting the priest's clothing directly to his duty of discerning God's will.

Verse 21

The twelve engraved stones correspond directly to the twelve tribes, signifying that the High Priest represented the entire unified community of Israel before the Lord.

Verse 29

Bearing the names 'upon his heart' indicates Aaron's role as intercessor, carrying the concerns and identity of the people close to his person as he entered the Holy Place.

Verse 30

The Urim ('Lights') and Thummim ('Perfections') were objects used by the High Priest to discern God’s will, likely functioning as a sacred lot or oracle to answer binary questions (yes/no).

Verse 31

This robe was worn underneath the Ephod and was entirely blue, symbolizing the heavens and purity, distinguishing it from the multi-colored Ephod.

Verse 35

The sound of the bells ensured that the High Priest's movements were known while ministering in the Holy Place; silence could imply that he had approached God improperly and died.

Verse 36

This golden plate, engraved 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD,' signified that the High Priest was completely consecrated and dedicated to the service of God.

Verse 38

Aaron symbolically 'bears the iniquity of the holy things,' covering the unintentional faults or impurities that might contaminate the Israelites' sacred offerings, allowing them to be accepted by God.

Verse 40

Aaron's sons (the common priests) wore simpler, white linen garments (coat, girdle, bonnet) suitable for daily service, which also conveyed dignity and ritual purity.

Verse 41

Consecration involved washing, dressing, anointing with oil, and specific sacrifices (detailed in Exod 29), formally setting them apart for their sacred duties.

Verse 42

The linen breeches were mandatory to ensure modesty and ritual purity, preventing the priests from exposing themselves while ascending the altar ramp, which would violate the holiness of the sanctuary.

Verse 43

The strict commands regarding purity and dress underline the danger of approaching a holy God improperly; failure to adhere to these statutes resulted in the penalty of death.

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