Exodus 28:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And take {H7126} thou unto thee Aaron {H175} thy brother {H251}, and his sons {H1121} with him, from among {H8432} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office {H3547}, even Aaron {H175}, Nadab {H5070} and Abihu {H30}, Eleazar {H499} and Ithamar {H385}, Aaron's {H175} sons {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.

Berean Standard Bible

“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

American Standard Version

And bring thou near 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 28:1 marks a foundational moment in Israel's history, as God divinely institutes the formal priesthood. This pivotal verse details the specific selection of Aaron and his four sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—from among the Israelites to serve in the sacred and exclusive office of priest, thereby establishing the crucial human component for the Tabernacle worship system and mediating between a holy God and His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse transitions the narrative from the detailed architectural and furnishing plans for the Tabernacle (beginning in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")) to the personnel who would minister within it. Chapters [Exodus 25-27](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-27 - Tabernacle Design and Furnishings") meticulously describe the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Tabernacle structure itself, the altar of burnt offering, and the court. With the sacred space now conceptually prepared, God turns His attention to the sacred servants. Immediately following [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Appointment of Aaron and His Sons"), the text provides elaborate instructions for the priestly garments ([Exodus 28:2-43](/exodus/28-2 "Exodus 28:2-43 - Priestly Garments")), followed by the intricate ceremony for their consecration ([Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests")). This logical progression underscores God's meticulous order: first the dwelling, then the ministers, then their attire, and finally their sanctification for service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this divine directive is Mount Sinai, where God is establishing His covenant with the newly liberated nation of Israel. Having delivered them from Egyptian bondage, God is now forming them into His holy people, a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" ([Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Kingdom of Priests")). However, given humanity's fallen nature and God's absolute holiness, direct, unmediated access was impossible. Therefore, a designated class of intermediaries was necessary to facilitate worship, offer sacrifices for sin, and teach God's laws. Unlike the self-appointed or politically chosen priests of surrounding pagan cultures, the Aaronic priesthood was divinely initiated and meticulously prescribed, emphasizing that access to God was solely on His terms and through His chosen representatives. This divine appointment highlighted the gravity and sanctity of their role, setting them apart from the rest of the congregation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Hebrew, _laqach'_):** The Hebrew verb לָקַח (_laqach_), translated "take," is a powerful imperative signifying a divine command and selection. It implies a deliberate act of choosing and setting apart. This is not a human initiative or a self-appointed role, but God's sovereign will being enacted through Moses. The phrase "take thou unto thee" emphasizes that Aaron and his sons are to be brought into a close, intimate relationship with the divine service, signifying their exclusive dedication to God.
* **Minister (Hebrew, _sharath'_):** The verb שָׁרַת (_sharath_) denotes active, diligent, and attentive service, often in a sacred or official capacity. It describes the act of waiting upon, attending to, or serving a superior. When applied to God, as here ("minister unto me"), it highlights that the priests' primary duty was directed towards God Himself, on behalf of the people. This was not merely a ceremonial presence but a functional, ongoing service that facilitated the covenant relationship.
* **Priest's Office (Hebrew, _kahan'_):** The noun כָּהַן (_kahan_), from the root for "priest," refers to the specific function and status of one who officiates in sacred rites. It encapsulates the multifaceted duties of the priesthood: offering sacrifices, burning incense, maintaining the Tabernacle, blessing the people, and teaching the Law. The phrase "in the priest's office" defines the precise nature of the service Aaron and his sons were being called to, a role of mediation and sacred representation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine command from God to Moses, specifying the individuals chosen for this sacred task: Aaron and his four sons. The phrase "from among the children of Israel" underscores their selection from the general populace, emphasizing their unique separation and designation for a holy purpose. This highlights divine election and the principle of setting apart for sacred service.
* **"that he may minister unto me in the priest's office,"**: This clause articulates the explicit purpose of their appointment. Their role is not primarily to serve the people, but to "minister unto me" – directly to God. This emphasizes the God-ward orientation of the priesthood, whose functions (sacrifices, intercession, ritual purity) were all designed to maintain the relationship between a holy God and His covenant people. The "priest's office" defines the scope and nature of this sacred service.
* **"[even] Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."**: This final segment provides a precise enumeration of the individuals chosen, explicitly naming Aaron and his four sons. This detailed listing ensures no ambiguity regarding the lineage and specific members designated for this hereditary office. The repetition of "Aaron's sons" reinforces the familial and hereditary nature of the priesthood that God was establishing for Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Divine Command** is evident in the imperative "take thou," emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and initiative in establishing the priesthood. This highlights that the priesthood is not a human invention but a divine institution. The device of **Enumeration** is used to list the specific individuals—Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—underscoring the precise and intentional nature of God's selection. This detailed naming provides clarity and formalizes the establishment of the priestly line. Furthermore, there is an element of **Separation** or **Designation**, as Aaron and his sons are explicitly "taken... from among the children of Israel," visually and theologically setting them apart for a unique and holy function. This separation reinforces the concept of holiness required for those who draw near to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 28:1 lays the groundwork for the entire Old Testament sacrificial and worship system, establishing the necessary human mediation between a holy God and His sinful people. The divine initiative in appointing the priesthood underscores that access to God is always on His terms, not by human merit or ambition. This verse introduces the concept of a divinely chosen, set-apart class dedicated to sacred service, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture concerning the nature of true ministry and the holiness required for those who draw near to God. The hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood points to the need for continuity in mediation, a need ultimately and perfectly fulfilled in Christ.

* [Hebrews 5:4](/hebrews/5-4 "Hebrews 5:4 - No One Takes This Honor to Himself")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")
* [Leviticus 10:1](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine appointment of Aaron and his sons in Exodus 28:1 serves as a profound reminder that all genuine ministry originates from God's sovereign call, not from human ambition or self-selection. While the specific office of the Levitical priest has been fulfilled and superseded by Christ, the underlying principles remain eternally relevant for believers today. We are called to recognize and affirm God's initiative in raising up leaders and servants within His church, understanding that true authority and effectiveness flow from His divine commissioning. Furthermore, just as Aaron and his sons were set apart for holy service, every believer, as part of Christ's "royal priesthood," is called to live a life of holiness and devotion, offering spiritual sacrifices of praise, service, and obedience. Our daily lives become an act of worship, ministering "unto God" through our vocations, relationships, and spiritual disciplines, reflecting the sanctity required for those who bear His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine calling of Aaron and his sons inform our understanding of ministry and leadership in the church today?**
* **In what ways does our identity as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9) call us to a life of separation and holiness in our contemporary context?**
* **What does it mean for us to "minister unto God" in our daily lives, beyond formal church service?**

### FAQ

**Why were Aaron and his sons specifically chosen for the priesthood?**

Answer: Aaron and his sons were chosen by divine decree to establish a specific, hereditary line of priests for Israel. This was not based on their merit or a democratic vote, but on God's sovereign selection. Their appointment was essential for establishing a structured system of worship and mediation, allowing sinful people to approach a holy God through designated representatives. This divine choice underscored the sanctity and exclusivity of the priestly office, ensuring that those who served were authorized by God Himself.

**What were the primary responsibilities of the "priest's office" established in this verse?**

Answer: The "priest's office" encompassed a wide range of sacred duties vital to Israel's covenant relationship with God. Their primary responsibilities included offering sacrifices for sin and fellowship, burning incense, maintaining the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, discerning between clean and unclean, teaching God's laws to the people, and blessing the Israelites in God's name. They served as intermediaries, representing the people before God and God to the people, facilitating worship and upholding the terms of the covenant.

**The verse mentions Nadab and Abihu. What is their significance, especially considering later events in the Torah?**

Answer: Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons mentioned here, tragically serve as a stark warning about the importance of reverent obedience in worship. While initially chosen for the priesthood, they later offered "strange fire" before the Lord, which He had not commanded them ([Leviticus 10:1](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")). As a result, fire came out from the Lord and consumed them ([Leviticus 10:2](/leviticus/10-2 "Leviticus 10:2 - Nadab and Abihu Consumed by Fire")). Their inclusion in [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Appointment of Aaron and His Sons") subtly foreshadows the severe consequences of failing to adhere to God's precise instructions for sacred service, emphasizing the holiness and gravity of approaching Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 28:1, with its establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, powerfully foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Levitical priests, chosen "from among the children of Israel" to "minister unto me in the priest's office," served as temporary and imperfect mediators between God and humanity. Their repeated sacrifices and rituals pointed to a greater, once-for-all sacrifice to come. Jesus, however, is revealed in the New Testament as our perfect and eternal High Priest, not according to the order of Aaron, but "according to the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - Christ a Priest Like Melchizedek")), signifying a new and superior covenant. Unlike the Levitical priests who were limited by death and sin, Christ "holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever" ([Hebrews 7:23-24](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23-24 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). He offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice that truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby fulfilling the need for all Old Testament sacrifices and priestly intercession ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His finished work, Jesus has opened a new and living way for all believers to draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")), making every believer part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), able to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering Sacrifices of Praise")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.