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Exodus 28:40

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¶ And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

And for Aaron's {H175} sons {H1121} thou shalt make {H6213} coats {H3801}, and thou shalt make {H6213} for them girdles {H73}, and bonnets {H4021} shalt thou make {H6213} for them, for glory {H3519} and for beauty {H8597}.

Likewise for Aharon's sons make tunics, sashes and headgear expressing dignity and splendor.

Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.

And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and head-tires shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 28:40 (KJV)

Exodus 28:40 provides specific instructions for the garments of Aaron's sons, who served as priests under the high priest. This verse emphasizes that their attire was not merely functional but was designed "for glory and for beauty," reflecting the divine order and sanctity of their office.

Context

This verse is part of a detailed section (Exodus 28-29) outlining the divine commands for the construction of the Tabernacle and the consecration of the Levitical priesthood. Prior verses in Exodus 28 focused on the elaborate garments for Aaron, the High Priest, including the ephod, breastplate, and mitre. Verse 40 shifts attention to the simpler, yet equally significant, attire of his sons, who would assist in the sacred service within the Tabernacle. These instructions underscore God's meticulous attention to every detail concerning worship and service in His presence, highlighting the importance of reverence and order.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ordination of Priesthood: The garments signify the priests' unique calling and separation for God's service. Their attire set them apart from the general populace, marking them as consecrated individuals.
  • Glory and Beauty in Worship: The phrase "for glory and for beauty" (reflecting God's own splendor and desire for excellence in worship) indicates that the priestly garments were not plain but were to be visually appealing and dignified. This teaches that worship and service to God should be conducted with excellence and reverence, reflecting His majesty.
  • Holiness and Consecration: The specific design and materials of the garments contributed to the overall holiness required for priestly service. They were essential for the consecration and proper functioning of the priests in their duties.
  • Order and Distinction: While less elaborate than the high priest's garments, the sons' attire still conveyed their distinct role within the priesthood, maintaining a clear hierarchy and order in the Tabernacle service.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV terms for the garments are:

  • "coats" (Hebrew: kuttoneth): A long tunic or shirt, typically made of fine linen.
  • "girdles" (Hebrew: avnet): A sash or belt, likely embroidered, worn around the waist.
  • "bonnets" (Hebrew: migba'ah): A distinctive headdress or turban, different from the high priest's mitre, but still a significant part of their ceremonial dress.

The core purpose is captured by the Hebrew words: "glory" (kavod), meaning honor, splendor, or majesty, and "beauty" (tiph'arah), signifying ornament, splendor, or comeliness. These terms underscore that the garments were meant to reflect the dignity and sacredness of the priestly office, not just practical utility.

Practical Application

While Christians are not under the Old Testament ceremonial law, this verse offers timeless principles:

  1. Excellence in Service: God desires that our service to Him be marked by excellence, done with reverence and care, reflecting His own glory. This applies to all aspects of our worship and spiritual lives.
  2. Spiritual Garments: As believers, we are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Our "garments" should be our character, integrity, and actions, which should bring glory and beauty to God. We are to "put on the new man" (Ephesians 4:24), which is created in righteousness and true holiness.
  3. Respect for Sacred Things: The detailed instructions remind us of the importance of respecting sacred spaces, roles, and rituals, understanding that they point to God's holiness and majesty.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 39:41 (5 votes)

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

  • Exodus 28:4 (4 votes)

    And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

  • Leviticus 8:13 (3 votes)

    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 29:9 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

  • Exodus 28:2 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

  • Ezekiel 44:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, [that] when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

  • Ezekiel 44:18 (3 votes)

    They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird [themselves] with any thing that causeth sweat.