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.

And of the blue {H8504}, and purple {H713}, and scarlet {H8144}{H8438}, they made {H6213} cloths {H899} of service {H8278}, to do service {H8334} in the holy {H6944} place, and made {H6213} the holy {H6944} garments {H899} for Aaron {H175}; as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made the garments for officiating, for serving in the Holy Place; and they made the holy garments for Aharon, as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, as well as the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made finely wrought garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

Exodus 39:1 marks a pivotal moment in the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, detailing the actual execution of God's precise instructions given earlier to Moses. This verse focuses on the creation of the specialized textiles for both the Tabernacle's service and the elaborate priestly attire for Aaron, all made with the rich and symbolic colors of blue, purple, and scarlet.

Context

This verse falls within the latter portion of the Book of Exodus (chapters 35-40), which describes the meticulous construction and erection of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. Following the detailed divine blueprints laid out in Exodus 25-31, chapter 39 specifically recounts the crafting of the priestly garments and the "cloths of service." The repetition of "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout these chapters underscores the unwavering faithfulness of the artisans and leaders in adhering to God's exact specifications for worship and ministry in the holy place.

Key Themes

  • Divine Specification and Obedience: The most prominent theme is the absolute adherence to God's commands. Every detail, from the colors of the fabric to the purpose of the garments, was divinely ordained. This emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's word in all aspects of worship and service.
  • Holiness and Consecration: The "holy garments for Aaron" and "cloths of service" were not mere attire or decorations; they were specifically designed to facilitate service in the "holy place," symbolizing the separation and consecration required for approaching a holy God. These items were set apart for sacred use.
  • Symbolism of Materials: The chosen colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—were highly symbolic. Blue often represented the heavens, divinity, and God's glory; purple signified royalty and majesty (befitting the High Priest who served a King); and scarlet typically pointed to life, blood, and sacrifice, foreshadowing the atoning sacrifice necessary for sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for these colors carry specific weight. Techelet (blue) refers to a dye derived from a specific mollusk, known for its deep, sky-like hue. Argaman (purple) was another costly dye, associated with royalty and wealth. Tola'at shani (scarlet) came from an insect, producing a vibrant red. The expense and rarity of these dyes underscore the preciousness and significance of the items being created for God's service, reflecting His glory and the high esteem in which His sanctuary was held.

Practical Application

Exodus 39:1 reminds believers today that our service to God should be marked by intentionality, excellence, and obedience to His revealed will. While we no longer minister in a physical Tabernacle with specific garments, the principle remains: our spiritual service, whether in worship, evangelism, or acts of love, should be performed with a heart devoted to God's glory and according to His principles. As a royal priesthood, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices and live lives consecrated to Him, reflecting His holiness in all we do.

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

  • 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,

  • Exodus 35:19

    The cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.

  • Exodus 35:23

    And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' [hair], and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought [them].

  • Hebrews 9:25

    Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

  • Hebrews 9:12

    Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

  • Psalms 93:5

    Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

  • Ezekiel 42:14

    When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy [place] into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they [are] holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to [those things] which [are] for the people.
← Back