Exodus 28

Exodus 28:2

HOly * garments] Garments to be worn in holy ministrations in reference to Christ our high Priest, who is holy and undefiled, Hebrews 7:26. and his Robe which Christians must put on, to make them accepted with his Father, is a most holy Robe. Isaiah 52:1. Revelation 19:8.

for glory and for beauty] Whereby his Office may be known to be glorious, and excellent as representing him, who was and is the brightnesse of the Divine glory, Hebrews 1:3. John 1:14. And the glory of his people Israel, Luke 2:32. The other Priests had garments also for beauty, vers. 40. but they were nothing so glorious, and beautifull as Aarons were: for though as Priests they were Types of Christ, and so their calling was honourable, and their garments gracefull; yet the high Priest was therein higher, and therefore in his raiment much more glorious then they, and by this Livery of their Lord, and Master, they were appropriate to his service.

Exodus 28:3

wise in heart] Skilfull Artificers.

whom I have filled with the spirit of] The Israelites had now more need to be inspired by God with extraordinary knowledge, because (as some observe) they were employed in Egypt rather as drudges, then trained up in an ingenuous education in Arts and Sciences: and yet had they been brought up in the Study of them, (wherein there is no proficiency without his favourable Assistance; for all knowledge is from him, even that of the Husbandman, Isaiah 28:26.) to such extraordinary curious worke, there was need of more then ordinary direction or instruction.

to consecrate him] That is, to separate him from the rest of the people, to Gods especiall service.

Exodus 28:4

an Ephod *] There were two sorts of Ephods, the one made of fine and pure linen, which was common to all Priests, * 1 Samuel 2:18. & 1 Samuel 22:18. and to other persons upon extraordinary occasions: as David when he danced before the Arke, 2 Samuel 6:14. The other was made of divers materials and colours, peculiar to the high Priest, which was a short coat without sleeves put upon his other garments, (to keep them close together) which use is intimated in the Hebrew word) these garments were all of them in number eight, reckoned in divers orders here, and Levit. 8. 7, 8.

Exodus 28:8

curious girdle] Or, embroidered.

Exodus 28:9

Onyx stones] White stones, like the white of a mans naile, whence it hath its name. Anselm. Boetius Hist. gem. 50: 2. 100: 90. Some of them are of divers colours, with white speckles in them.

Exodus 28:10

the other sixe] Of these two sixes it is like Levi was none: for the Levites presented themselves to God, in their daily ministration: and there were twelve besides Levi, because for one Joseph, were reckoned two, Manasseh and Ephraim.

according to their birth] Genesis 43:33. As they were in age, so they should be graven in order; the eldest first, and the youngest last.

Exodus 28:11

with the worke] Wisd. 18. 24.

in ouches of gold] That is, hollow places, in which the stones were set fast, as a Diamond in a Ring.

Exodus 28:12

shall beare their names] This was a resemblance of Christ our High-priest, representing his Church to God his Father.

upon his two shoulders] The Priest was to beare the people on his shoulders, by a patient bearing of their weakenesse, and waywardnesse, as well as to weare them on his breast, vers. 15. by pastorall affection.

for a memoriall] Not to the people to remember the goodnesse of the Patriarchs, who were many of them more noted for great faults, then for vertues; much lesse may we thinke them to be as an helpe of memory to God; who neither can be ignorant, nor forgetfull of any thing: but chiefly this memoriall was to Aaron to remember the people by intercession for them: and withall to signifie that their memory is presented to God, and preserved with God. See Annot. on Genesis 9:15.

Exodus 28:15

• the breast plate of judgement] It was so called, because the High-priest could not give sentence in judgement without that on his breast; or because when he consulted with God in cases of doubt for a divine judgement, in the case he was to weare it on his breast. See Annot. on vers. 30. Vers. 29. Leviticus 8:8. Numbers 27:21.

Exodus 28:17

a Sardius] Or, Rubie. Exodus 39:10. A bloud-coloured precious Stone, and therefore called also a Rubie; but Sardius from Sardis, a Citie of Lydia, in Asia, where such stones are most plentifull; or where there are the rarest or best of that kinde: whereof see Plin. lib. 27. 100: 8.

Topaz] A stone of a golden colour, as some say; others say, it is greene, Plin. lib. 37. chap. 8. and others partly of a grey, or skye-colour: but it seemeth to be a stone of high price; especially the Topaz of Ethiopia, Job 28:19. the operations of it are many, and rare: as Fr. Rueus sets them downe in his second Booke of Gems, and Chap. 9.

Carbuncle] A precious stone shining like lightening, or a glowing coale of fire: the word Baraketh, is derived of the word Barecke to lighten, Plin. lib. 37. 100: 7. col. 253. Rueus ibidem chap. 18. p. 249. And Anselm: Boetius de Gem. 50: 2. 100: 8.

Exodus 28:18

an Emeraud] A stone of most perfect greene colour, most pleasant to the eye-sight, and profitable both to preserve it, and to recover it when it is weakened; as Pliny saith, lib. 37. 100: 5. See Rueus lib. 2. of Gem. 100: 4. p. 237.

a Saphire] Is a precious stone of a light coloured purple, or of a blewish colour, like to that which is sometimes seene in the cleare skie. Ibid. ch. 2. p. 233.

a Diamond] Is a stone bright and white. like Crystall; but in a more excellent degree, very hard, Ezekiel 3:9. Zechariah 7:12. Jeremiah 17:1. though in those places the Hebrew word be not Jahalom, as here, but Shamir) so hard, that by blowes the hammer and anvile receive more hurt from it, then it from them, Plin. nat. hist. lib. 37. 100: 10.

Exodus 28:19

a Ligure] Or, Lyncure. A kinde of Amber, Plin. 37. ch. 3. a gumme hardened into a stone; which stone (in some places) is very precious and of excellent qualitie and operation: Rueus lib. 2. 100: 18. 26. Some call it a Turkois, or Torcois, a stone of a pale greene, inclining to sky colour, and of strange effects, Ibid. ch. 18. p. 256. Some take it for a Hyacinthus, or Jacinth, which is of a Purple or Violet colour.

an Agate] Or, Achate. A blackish stone, most usually with white streakes upon it; and many of them have much variety of colours, Rueus lib. 2. 100: 16. p. 255. Which though in some places it be common, is said to be of excellent vertue against many diseases: of this see Plin. lib. 37. 100: 10.

an Amethyst] A precious stone, of a pale Violet colour, Rueus lib. 2. ch. 11. p. 244. Of this see Plin. lib. 37. ch. 9.

Exodus 28:20

Berill] Is a shining precious stone, whereof there are divers sorts; but the best is of a sea-water greene colour, Plin. lib. 37. 100: 5.

the Onyx stone] Of that there be many sorts; some say sixe, some tenne, some fourteene, some eighteene; it is hard to say which of them is here meant. Plin. lib. 37. 100: 6. See Annot. on vers. 9.

Jasper] Of which also there are many sorts of severall colours, Rueus lib. 2. of Gem. ch. 1. p. 231. See also Plin. lib. 37. 5: 8. 9. Many of these stones are mentioned, Revel. 21. 19, 20. and of them many make mystical significations; which wanting ground of Scripture, the building upon them, may prove no better then presumptuous fallacies. For though many things of the Ceremoniall Law served to shadow out heavenly things, Hebrews 8:5. yet it is not safe to presume, (especially in the explanation of mysteries) above that which is written; nor to be too punctuall in scruing up sensible things to spirituall conformities; as some both ancient and latter Authours have beene, especially of the Popish partie; nor too bold in bringing downe Religious matters to naturall allusions, as Josephus doth, Antiq. lib. 3. 100: 8.

Exodus 28:21

according to the twelve] It is probable from hence, and from vers. 10. that their names were set upon the twelve stones, according to the order of their births; and so Reuben had his name set upon the Sardius; Simeon upon the Tapaz: and so Benjamin the youngest, upon the Jasper named last. See the second Annot. on vers. 10.

Exodus 28:29

beare the names] Aaron shall not enter into the holy place, in his owne name only; but in the name of all the Tribes of Israel. See Annot. on vers. 12.

breast-plate of judgement] See Annot. on vers. 15.

upon his heart] This signified how neere the Elect lay to the heart of their High-priest Christ Jesus: that is, how heartily he loved them, who parted with his owne hearts bloud for their sakes: and it is an admonition of the Pastors affectionate respect to his flock; as we see in the Apostles example, 1 Thessalonians 2:8.

for memoriall] See Annot. on vers. 12.

Exodus 28:30

• Urim and Thummim] signifie light and perfection, according to their best derivation in the Hebrew Tongue; and they are put in the Plurall number, lights, and perfections; to note the plenty, as well as the excellencie of divine graces. This was meant, as some conceive, of the splendor and perfection of the precious stones, of the breast-plate: which were of most cleare and perfect beautie: but that is not all; for besides that, these words were ingraven, or written upon some of the precious materials of the High-priests ornaments; neither made, nor placed by the inspired Artificers, but (as some learned Writers rather thinke, by the comparison of Exo 39:10. Leviticus 8:8.) made by God himselfe, and put by Moses into the Breastplate. It was called the Breast-plate of judgement, vers. 15. and the judgement of Urim, Numbers 27:21. because the Highpriest put it on when he consulted with God, and received from him cleare and determinate answers in cases of doubt; which were sometimes made by audible voyce; sometimes by secret inspiration; which when he had told it to the people, the stones and letters in the Breast-plate (as is probably conceived, for there is nothing certaine of it in the Scripture) might have an extraordinary brightnesse, appearing on them for assurance that the Priest had spoken with the Lord, and received resolution from him; as by the shining of Moses his face when he came from God, with the Tables of the Testimony in his hand, Exod. 34. 29, 30. it was manifest that he had from God, what he brought unto the people: and whereas David being to consult with the Lord, called for the Ephod, 1 Samuel 23:9. the reason was, for that the Breast-plate was fastened to the Ephod, vers. 28. and the Ephod to the Breast-plate: so that if he had one, he had both, Exodus 39:21. This oraculous consulation with the Breast-plate, that is, by the use of the Breast-plate, continued among the Jewes untill about, or somewhat above one hundred yeares before Christ, as some affirme; but it is generally, and more probably thought, that it lasted no longer then to the Captivitie of Babylon: (for which see Ezra 2:63.) and after that time we finde not, that the Jews had any use of that kinde of revelation. Leviticus 8:8.

Ezr. 2. 63. Nehemiah 7:65.

Exodus 28:32

Habergeon] A coate of male, which is a defensive armour, made of Iron rings linked one within another, after the manner of net-worke.

Exodus 28:34

A golden Bell and a Pomegranate] Which were flat and embroidered, and so mixed with the Bels, that betweene two Pomegranates, there was placed one Bell; and between two Bels, one Pomegranate. Joseph. Antiq. 50: 3. 100: 8. The Bell was for sound; and the Priests lips were to preserve knowledge, for the instruction of others, Malachi 2:7. and he must not be mute, Esa. 65. 10. if he be, it is upon his utmost perill, vers. 33. And it must be a golden Bell; for that it is the most precious & purest of metals; such must his doctrine be, Proverbs 3:15. The Pomegranates being a sweet and savourie fruite, signifie his life, and coversation, the fruit of his profession, of good relish and acceptation to good people.

Some referre the Bell to Christs Prophetick Office; and the Pomegranate, to the sweet savour of the Sacrifice of Christs Priestly Office; or of his Personall perfections: or the graces he giveth to his Church. See Cant. 4. 3. Chap. 6, 7, 8.

Exodus 28:36

a plate of pure gold] As some Hebrew Doctors say, it was in breadth the measure of two fingers, in length, reaching from one eare to another: Josephus thinkes it was not a plaine plate, but a crowne of gold. Antiq. 50: 3. 100: 8. Which joyned to the Mitre, might (as some conceive) signifie, that Christ of whom the High-priest was a Type, was a true Melchisedec, that is, both a King and a Priest.

TO THE LORD] Holinesse appertaineth to the Lord, and he is most holy, and nothing unholy may appeare before him: therefore all, both Priests and people, must see to their service of him, that it be pure and holy, and such as may be pleasing to him, who is most perfectly holy, and who is honoured by the blessed Angels with multiplied acclamations of holinesse, Esa. 6. 3. Chap. 39. 30. Psalms 93:5. 1 Corinthians 1:30. Hebrews 7:26.

Exodus 28:38

beare the iniquitie] Their offering could not be so perfect, but some fault would be therein; which sinne the High-priest, as a Type of Christ, did beare, and pacified God by making an atonement for them. Leviticus 10:17. Numbers 18:1. Esa. 64. 6.

shall hallow] That is, consecrate, or give up to God in their holy oblations.

alwaies] That is, as oft as he exerciseth his Priestly Office before the Lord.

accepted before the Lord] The reall holinesse of the Priest (answerable to the Ceremoniall; worne on his forehead) made him accepted for himselfe, and the people, when he ministred before the Lord.

Exodus 28:39

the coat] A white gowne sleeved, and reaching gown-like unto the feet, which made loose was kept close to his body with a girdle, Leviticus 8:7.

Mitre] A linen Mitre, a cover of the head; in what fashion it was made, is uncertaine; yet conceived, it was fine linen wreathed up, as the now Turkish Turbants are.

of needle-worke] What a girdle this was, see Exodus 39:29.

for glory and for] See Annot. on vers. 2.

Exodus 28:40

coats] Of linen; for woollen wearing was forbidden to the Priests, Ezekiel 44:17. These were Ephods, such as are mentioned, 1 Samuel 22:18. which differed from that of the Highpriests, for that was embroidered, as these were not.

Exodus 28:41

and consecrate them] Heb. fill their hands. That is, consecrate them, by giving them, or putting into their hands things to offer; and thereby admit them to their office, Exodus 29. 9.

Exodus 28:42

to cover their nakednesse] Heb. flesh of their nakednesse. Exodus 20:26.

from the loynes unto] Inclusively: that is, including and covering both the loynes and thighes, lest if he should stumble, and fall, his nakednesse should be seene to his shame.

Exodus 28:43

that they beare not] For not hiding their nakednesse.