Exodus 31:10

And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,

And the cloths {H899} of service {H8278}, and the holy {H6944} garments {H899} for Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548}, and the garments {H899} of his sons {H1121}, to minister in the priest's office {H3547},

the garments for officiating, the holy garments for Aharon the cohen and the garments for his sons, so that they can serve in the office of cohen,

as well as the woven garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests,

and the finely wrought garments, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,

Commentary

Exodus 31:10 continues God's meticulous instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of its service. This verse specifically lists various garments essential for the Levitical priesthood, highlighting the divine order and sanctity required for ministering before the Lord.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Exodus (chapters 25-31) where God outlines every detail for building the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the sacred vestments for the priests. Having just named Bezalel and Aholiab as divinely gifted craftsmen (Exodus 31:2-6), God then reiterates the specific items to be made, including these crucial garments. The purpose of these instructions was to create a dwelling place for God's presence among His people and to establish the means by which they could approach Him in worship and atonement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Detail and Order: The specificity of God's commands, down to the clothing, underscores His desire for order, beauty, and reverence in worship. Nothing was left to human discretion; every element of service was divinely appointed.
  • Holiness and Consecration: The garments were not mere uniforms but "holy garments," signifying the consecrated status of Aaron and his sons. They represented purity and separation for sacred service, essential for those who drew near to God's presence.
  • The Priesthood: This verse emphasizes the distinct role of Aaron and his sons as the appointed priests, tasked with mediating between God and Israel. Their special attire marked them for this unique office.
  • Preparation for Service: The mention of "cloths of service" and "garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office" highlights the necessity of proper preparation and attire for holy duties, reflecting the seriousness and dignity of serving God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "the cloths of service" translates the Hebrew bigdei ha-serad (בִּגְדֵי הַשְּׂרָד), which refers to garments specifically used for ministering in the Tabernacle, especially when handling or transporting the holy articles (like the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, etc.) during journeys. These were distinct from the "holy garments" (bigdei ha-kodesh, בִּגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ) worn by Aaron as the High Priest and his sons for their daily priestly duties, as described in Exodus 28:4. The distinction indicates different functions and levels of holiness associated with various priestly tasks.

Significance and Application

Exodus 31:10, while rooted in Old Testament ritual, carries enduring significance. It teaches us about God's character—His holiness, His desire for proper worship, and His meticulous care in establishing the means for His people to draw near. For ancient Israel, these garments visually represented the solemnity and sacredness of the priestly office and the necessity of purity in approaching God. The detailed instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons further underscore this.

For believers today, while we do not wear physical priestly garments, the principle of preparation, reverence, and consecration for service remains. The New Testament teaches that all believers are part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices. Our "garments" are now spiritual: righteousness, humility, and the armor of God. The intricate details of the Tabernacle and priesthood point forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all the requirements of the law and through whom we now have direct access to God's presence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 8:13

    And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 4:5

    And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:

  • Numbers 4:14

    And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, [even] the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.

  • Exodus 39:1

    ¶ And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Exodus 39:43

    And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
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