28:1-5, THE CLOTHES FOR THE HIGH PRIEST.
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.
A.Before this there was no distinct class who served as priests.
B.The need for a separate priesthood came with the giving of the law, and the entrance of Israel into covenant relationship with God, and the building of a sanctuary.
C.A distinct priesthood, specially separated to God, was needed to mediate between Holy Jehovah and His unholy people.
28:2 AND THOU SHALT MAKE HOLY GARMENTS FOR AARON THY BROTHER FOR GLORY AND FOR BEAUTY.
A.FOR GLORY: To exalt the priestly office.
B.AND FOR BEAUTY: The Holy Place was beautiful, so the high priest was to be dressed in a suitable way for this holy ministry -- Aaron was to have beautiful clothes that were worthy of a high priest of the people.
28:3 AND THOU SHALT SPEAK UNTO ALL [THAT ARE] WISE HEARTED, WHOM I HAVE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, THAT THEY MAY MAKE AARON'S GARMENTS TO CONSECRATE HIM, THAT HE MAY MINISTER UNTO ME IN THE PRIEST'S OFFICE.
A.ALL THAT ARE WISE HEARTED: (ALL WHO ARE GIFTED ARTISANS, NKJ).
B.FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM: The craftsmen, in order to do the kind of work God wanted, would need more than the ordi-nary skills, no matter how great; So God would give them power to do the beautiful work required.
28:4 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.
**BREASTPLATE/EPHOD/ROBE/COAT/MITRE/GIRDLE: Understood by some to be: A breastpiece, an ornamental priestly vest, a robe, an embroidered (or woven) shirt, a turban, and a sash.
28:5 AND THEY SHALL TAKE GOLD, AND BLUE, AND PURPLE, AND SCARLET, AND FINE LINEN.
A.It seems to be understood that these are thread colors.
B.Only the finest threads (including a GOLD one), and the finest linen (which was white) were to be used in making the clothes.
28:6-12, THE EPHOD (VEST) FOR THE HIGH PRIEST.
28:6 AND THEY SHALL MAKE THE EPHOD [OF] GOLD, [OF] BLUE, AND [OF] PURPLE, [OF] SCARLET, AND FINE TWINED LINEN, WITH CUNNING WORK.
A.FINE TWINED LINEN: Fine woven linen.
B.CUNNING WORK: Artistic work; Literally, "work of the skilled."
C.THE EPHOD: PULPIT COMMENTARY says this was a waistcoat, con-sisting of two pieces, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together probably by a seam, above the shoulders, and united at the waist by a band.
28:7 IT SHALL HAVE THE TWO SHOULDERPIECES THEREOF JOINED AT THE TWO EDGES THEREOF; AND [SO] IT SHALL BE JOINED TOGETHER.
A.SHOULDERPIECES: Shoulder straps.
B.AT THE TWO EDGES THEREOF: At its two ends. The back and front flaps of the vest were to be joined by a seam at the top of the shoulder.
28:8 AND THE CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD, WHICH [IS] UPON IT, SHALL BE OF THE SAME, ACCORDING TO THE WORK THEREOF; [EVEN OF] GOLD, [OF] BLUE, AND PURPLE, AND SCARLET, AND FINE TWINED LINEN.
A.CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD: (INTRICATELY WOVEN BAND OF THE EPHOD, NKJ). A sash.
B.SHALL BE OF THE SAME: Of one piece with the ephod, woven on to it as part of it. The SHOULDERPIECES were to be JOINED TO-GETHER (Verse 7), and the GIRDLE, or sash, was to be of one piece with the vest. So, though formed of various parts, it was to be one single indivisible garment, united both above and below, and always worn in its entirety. Some see this as being typical of the unity of the church.
C.ACCORDING TO THE WORK THEREOF: Of like workmanship with it, that is, of the same artistic workmanship, using the same colored threads.
28:9 AND THOU SHALT TAKE TWO ONYX STONES, AND GRAVE ON THEM THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL:
28:10 SIX OF THEIR NAMES ON ONE STONE, AND [THE OTHER] SIX NAMES OF THE REST ON THE OTHER STONE, ACCORDING TO THEIR BIRTH.
**ACCORDING TO THEIR BIRTH: (IN ORDER OF THEIR BIRTH, NKJ).
28:11 WITH THE WORK OF AN ENGRAVER IN STONE, [LIKE] THE ENGRAVINGS OF A SIGNET, SHALT THOU ENGRAVE THE TWO STONES WITH THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: THOU SHALT MAKE THEM TO BE SET IN OUCHES OF GOLD.
A.ENGRAVINGS OF A SIGNET: A ring, on which the name of the owner was stamped or engraved.
B.OUCHES: Settings.
28:12 AND THOU SHALT PUT THE TWO STONES UPON THE SHOULDERS OF THE EPHOD [FOR] STONES OF MEMORIAL UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: AND AARON SHALL BEAR THEIR NAMES BEFORE THE LORD UPON HIS TWO SHOULDERS FOR A MEMORIAL.
A.STONES OF MEMORIAL: Stones which would be a reminder that the high priest represented the twelve tribes, that he officiated in their name, and pleaded on their behalf.
B.FOR A MEMORIAL: Perhaps the thought is not so much that God would be reminded of His people, but that they would be re-minded that He was always aware of them and cared for them.
28:13-30, THE BREASTPIECE FOR THE HIGH PRIEST
28:13 AND THOU SHALT MAKE OUCHES [OF] GOLD;
A.OUCHES: Buttons, or sockets, or settings of some kind which could be sewn on to the ephod, and to which a chain or cord could be attached.
B.This was used to fasten the breastplate securely to the ephod.
28:14 AND TWO CHAINS [OF] PURE GOLD AT THE ENDS; [OF] WREATHEN WORK SHALT THOU MAKE THEM, AND FASTEN THE WREATHEN CHAINS TO THE OUCHES.
A.WREATHEN: Braided; literally, "after the manner of a rope."
B.Two cords/ropes/chains, made of PURE GOLD, were to be attached to the OUCHES (settings) of the shoulder straps.
28:15 AND THOU SHALT MAKE THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT WITH CUNNING WORK; AFTER THE WORK OF THE EPHOD THOU SHALT MAKE IT; [OF] GOLD, [OF] BLUE, AND [OF] PURPLE, AND [OF] SCARLET, AND [OF] FINE TWINED LINEN, SHALT THOU MAKE IT.
A.BREASTPLATE: This was to be worn on the breast (Verse 29), and was to be the principle ornament of the ephod -- It must have stood out in its brilliance. It had twelve stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes, and thus it ex-hibited the high priest as the representative of all Israel.
B.OF JUDGMENT: Inside the breastpiece was THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM (Verse 30), by means of which God showed His will to the people. From the decisions given came the name THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT.
C.CUNNING WORK: Artistic work.
D.AFTER THE WORK OF THE EPHOD: From the same costly material.
E.TWINED LINEN: Woven linen.
28:16 FOURSQUARE IT SHALL BE [BEING] DOUBLED; A SPAN [SHALL BE] THE LENGTH THEREOF, AND A SPAN [SHALL BE] THE BREADTH THEREOF.
**A SPAN: One-half of a cubit, which would be nine inches.
28:17 AND THOU SHALT SET IN IT SETTINGS OF STONES, [EVEN] FOUR ROWS OF STONES: [THE FIRST] ROW [SHALL BE] A SARDIUS, A TOPAZ, AND A CARBUNCLE: [THIS SHALL BE] THE FIRST ROW.
28:18 AND THE SECOND ROW [SHALL BE] AN EMERALD, A SAPPHIRE, AND A DIAMOND.
28:19 AND THE THIRD ROW A LIGURE, AN AGATE, AND AN AMETHYST.
28:20 AND THE FOURTH ROW A BERYL, AND AN ONYX, AND A JASPER: THEY SHALL BE SET IN GOLD IN THEIR ENCLOSINGS.
A.The stones named are mostly from Hebrew words which are capable of more than one translation, so we cannot definitely identify the stones.
B.ENCLOSINGS: Settings.
28:21 AND THE STONES SHALL BE WITH THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, TWELVE, ACCORDING TO THEIR NAMES, [LIKE] THE ENGRAVINGS OF A SIGNET; EVERY ONE WITH HIS NAME SHALL THEY BE ACCORDING TO THE TWELVE TRIBES.
**Each of the stones were to be engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
28:22 AND THOU SHALT MAKE UPON THE BREASTPLATE CHAINS AT THE ENDS [OF] WREATHEN WORK [OF] PURE GOLD.
**WREATHEN WORK: Braided cords.
28:23 AND THOU SHALT MAKE UPON THE BREASTPLATE TWO RINGS OF GOLD, AND SHALT PUT THE TWO RINGS ON THE TWO ENDS OF THE BREASTPLATE.
28:24 AND THOU SHALT PUT THE TWO WREATHEN (braided) [CHAINS] OF GOLD IN THE TWO RINGS [WHICH ARE] ON THE ENDS OF THE BREASTPLATE.
28:25 AND [THE OTHER] TWO ENDS OF THE TWO WREATHEN (braided) [CHAINS] THOU SHALT FASTEN IN THE TWO OUCHES (settings), AND PUT [THEM] ON THE SHOULDERPIECES OF THE EPHOD BEFORE IT.
A.Two gold rings were to be attached to the upper front corners of the breastpiece, and then fastened with two braided gold chains to gold settings on the shoulder straps.
B.BEFORE IT: In the front.
28:26 AND THOU SHALT MAKE TWO RINGS OF GOLD, AND THOU SHALT PUT THEM UPON THE TWO ENDS OF THE BREASTPLATE IN THE BORDER THEREOF, WHICH [IS] IN THE SIDE OF THE EPHOD INWARD.
A.BORDER: Edge.
B.IN THE SIDE OF THE EPHOD INWARD: (ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE EPHOD, NKJ).
C.Two other gold rings were to be attached to the lower inside corners next to the ephod (vest).
28:27 AND TWO [OTHER] RINGS OF GOLD THOU SHALT MAKE, AND SHALT PUT THEM ON THE TWO SIDES OF THE EPHOD UNDERNEATH, TOWARD THE FOREPART THEREOF, OVER AGAINST THE [OTHER] COUPLING THEREOF, ABOVE THE CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD.
A.CURIOUS GIRDLE: (INTRICATELY WOVEN BAND, NKJ); Band -- Sash.
B.OVER AGAINST: Literally, "near its joining." So the GIRDLE was to be woven on to the EPHOD near the place where the pieces of the EPHOD were joined together.
C.These TWO OTHER RINGS were to be attached to the lower inside corners next to the vest.
28:28 AND THEY SHALL BIND THE BREASTPLATE BY THE RINGS THEREOF UNTO THE RINGS OF THE EPHOD WITH A LACE OF BLUE, THAT [IT] MAY BE ABOVE THE CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD, AND THAT THE BREASTPLATE BE NOT LOOSED FROM THE EPHOD.
**A blue cord was used to tie the two lower rings on the breast-piece to those on the vest, to keep the breastpiece in place.
28:29 AND AARON SHALL BEAR THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT UPON HIS HEART, WHEN HE GOETH IN UNTO THE HOLY [PLACE], FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE THE LORD CONTINUALLY.
**The high priest (AARON was the first one) would have the names of the children of Israel upon his shoulders (Verse 12), and UPON HIS HEART, so there would be a double presentation of them to God when the priest appeared before Him.
28:30 AND THOU SHALT PUT IN THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM; AND THEY SHALL BE UPON AARON'S HEART, WHEN HE GOETH IN BEFORE THE LORD: AND AARON SHALL BEAR THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL UPON HIS HEART BEFORE THE LORD CONTINUALLY.
A.THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM: These are spoken of as though the Israelites were familiar with them. We do not know what they were, how they were made, or what use was made of them. It has been suggested they were used in some way by the priest to receive answers from God for questions and problems.
B.URIM means "Light" and THUMMIM means "Perfection." Perhaps these objects were types of the Scriptures - cf Psa 19:7-12 ("7 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judg-ments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward"); and 2Ti 3:15-17 ("15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works").
28:31-35, THE ROBE TO BE WORN UNDERNEATH THE EPHOD.
28:31 AND THOU SHALT MAKE THE ROBE OF THE EPHOD ALL [OF] BLUE.
A.This ROBE or frock was to be entirely of blue, making the bright colors of the EPHOD and the BREASTPLATE to stand out.
B.It probably came down to the ankles.
28:32 AND THERE SHALL BE AN HOLE IN THE TOP OF IT, IN THE MIDST THEREOF: IT SHALL HAVE A BINDING OF WOVEN WORK ROUND ABOUT THE HOLE OF IT, AS IT WERE THE HOLE OF AN HABERGEON, THAT IT BE NOT RENT.
A.There was to be an opening in the center for his head.
B.The material around the collar was to be bound to keep it from fraying or raveling.
C.HABERGEON: A coat of armor, hanging down past the knees (THERE SHALL BE AN OPENING FOR HIS HEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF IT LIKE THE OPENING IN A COAT OF MAIL, NKJ).
28:33 AND [BENEATH] UPON THE HEM OF IT THOU SHALT MAKE POMEGRAN-ATES [OF] BLUE, AND [OF] PURPLE, AND [OF] SCARLET, ROUND ABOUT THE HEM THEREOF; AND BELLS OF GOLD BETWEEN THEM ROUND ABOUT:
28:34 A GOLDEN BELL AND A POMEGRANATE, A GOLDEN BELL AND A POMEGRANATE, UPON THE HEM OF THE ROBE ROUND ABOUT.
28:35 AND IT SHALL BE UPON AARON TO MINISTER: AND HIS SOUND SHALL BE HEARD WHEN HE GOETH IN UNTO THE HOLY [PLACE] BEFORE THE LORD, AND WHEN HE COMETH OUT, THAT HE DIE NOT.
A.BELLS are universally used to call to attention and vigilance.
B.The sound would remind the priest that he was fully clothed, and therefore was in harmony with God's will. If he were to go BEFORE THE LORD improperly dressed, and thus be guilty of irreverence, death would be the penalty.
28:36-38, THE MITRE (TURBAN, OR HEAD-DRESS).
28:36 AND THOU SHALT MAKE A PLATE [OF] PURE GOLD, AND GRAVE UPON IT, [LIKE] THE ENGRAVINGS OF A SIGNET, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
28:37 AND THOU SHALT PUT IT ON A BLUE LACE, THAT IT MAY BE UPON THE MITRE; UPON THE FOREFRONT OF THE MITRE IT SHALL BE.
A.LACE: Cord.
B.MITRE: Turban.
28:38 AND IT SHALL BE UPON AARON'S FOREHEAD, THAT AARON MAY BEAR THE INIQUITY OF THE HOLY THINGS, WHICH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL HALLOW IN ALL THEIR HOLY GIFTS; AND IT SHALL BE ALWAYS UPON HIS FOREHEAD, THAT THEY MAY BE ACCEPTED BEFORE THE LORD.
A.HOLINESS TO THE LORD: This strip of PURE GOLD was to be engraved with words which showed that the people and their representative, the priest, were to be dedicated to the Lord.
B.It was to be worn on the priest's forehead, the conspicuous place showing that he was taking on himself the guilt for which sacrifice and offering was being made; Thus the sacri-fices would be ACCEPTED and the people would be forgiven.
C.Thus dressed and equipped, the priest was a type of the Per-fectly Holy One Who was to come and make complete atonement.
28:39, THE COAT (OR SHIRT) AND THE GIRDLE.
28:39 AND THOU SHALT EMBROIDER THE COAT OF FINE LINEN, AND THOU SHALT MAKE THE MITRE [OF] FINE LINEN, AND THOU SHALT MAKE THE GIRDLE [OF] NEEDLEWORK.
A.Josephus says the COAT was a gown which reached to the feet.
B.THE MITRE: It was to be made of fine white cloth.
C.THE GIRDLE: This would be worn over the COAT (shirt), and under the ephod. It was used to bind up or tie up the clothing so as to be ready for activity.
28:40-43, THE CLOTHES FOR THE OTHER (THE ORDINARY) PRIESTS.
28:40 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.
A.In order for the priests to look dignified, they must have robes, sashes, and special caps.
B.Everything mentioned is to be made of pure white -- This would accentuate the GLORY and the BEAUTY.
28:41 AND THOU SHALT PUT THEM UPON AARON THY BROTHER, AND HIS SONS WITH HIM; AND SHALT ANOINT THEM, AND CONSECRATE THEM, AND SANCTIFY THEM, THAT THEY MAY MINISTER UNTO ME IN THE PRIEST'S OFFICE.
**HIS SONS WITH HIM: His own SONS at this time, and his descen-dants afterward, to whom the priesthood was confined.
28:42 AND THOU SHALT MAKE THEM LINEN BREECHES TO COVER THEIR NAKEDNESS; FROM THE LOINS EVEN UNTO THE THIGHS THEY SHALL REACH:
A.Under the robes they were to wear shorts to prevent exposure.
B.These were to reach FROM THE LOINS (WAIST, NKJ) to the thigh (the thigh ends at the knee, so we assume they were knee-length shorts).
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.
A.The importance of the shorts is emphasized; The priest who dared go before God without them would die.
B.A STATUTE FOR EVER: That is, as long as there was need for a priesthood of this kind -- Until the Great High Priest came.
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