Exodus 28

God tells Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons as priests and to have special garments made for them. Every piece is rich in meaning: stones carrying the names of Israel, gold, a plate reading HOLY TO THE LORD, and a robe with bells. The clothing shows that the priest stands before God for the people, and that approaching a holy God must be done His way.

Exodus 28:1

God chooses the priests; they do not choose themselves. Aaron and his four sons are called out from among the Israelites for one purpose: to serve God. Priesthood begins with God’s call, not human ambition. Two of these sons, Nadab and Abihu, later die for offering unauthorized fire.

BSA: priests (“spiritual leaders, mediators”): A priest stands between God and the people, bringing the people to God and speaking for them.

See also: Hebrews 5:4; Leviticus 10:1-2.

Exodus 28:2

The garments are called holy because they belong to God’s service alone. They are made to give Aaron dignity and beauty, so that the people would feel the weight of the office. The honor belongs to the calling, not to the man wearing it.

BSA: glory (“great honor, splendor”): The clothing gives the office visible weight and honor in the eyes of the people.

Hebrew: תִּפְאָרֶת (tiferet, H8597) — “beauty, adornment.” The word for ‘splendor’ means something beautiful and adorned. God cares that worship is marked by beauty as well as holiness.

Exodus 28:3

The craftsmen are not merely talented. God Himself has filled them with a spirit of wisdom for this task. Skill used for God’s house is treated as His gift. Moses is to instruct them, and the garments are made for Aaron’s consecration, his setting apart.

BSA: skilled (“wise-hearted, cunning”): Their skill is a matter of the heart and mind, a gift of wisdom and not only of clever hands. wisdom (“prudence, good judgment”): God supplies the understanding needed to carry out His design well.

Hebrew: חַכְמֵי (chakhmei, H2450) — “wise of (heart).” The Hebrew calls them ‘wise of heart.’ In Scripture wisdom is often practical skill, and here it is given by God.

See also: Exodus 31:1-6.

Exodus 28:4

Six pieces are listed: breastpiece, ephod (a richly worked apron-like garment), robe, woven tunic, turban and sash. Each is described in the verses that follow. The whole outfit is for Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve as priests.

BSA: garments (“holy vestments, sacred clothing”): These are not ordinary clothes but vestments set apart for sacred service.

See also: Exodus 39:1-31.

Exodus 28:5-6

The materials are gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. These are the same costly colors used in the tabernacle curtains. The priest is dressed in the beauty of God’s own dwelling, which tells us he belongs to that place.

BSA: blue (“describing the color obtained from a specific type of mussel”): Blue dye was costly and hard to produce, which made it a mark of honor.

Exodus 28:7-8

The ephod is held together by two shoulder pieces, and a woven waistband binds it at the waist. The waistband is made of one piece and of the same materials as the ephod. The garment is meant to be a single, unified work.

BSA: fastened (“joined together, closed”): The shoulder pieces join the front and back of the ephod into one garment.

Exodus 28:9-12

Two onyx stones are engraved with the twelve tribal names, six on each, in birth order. They sit on Aaron’s shoulders in gold settings. When he serves, he carries all of Israel into God’s presence. The people are not forgotten, because the priest bears them.

BSA: bear (“lift, carry, represent”): The priest literally lifts up the people on his shoulders and stands for them before God. memorial (“a reminder”): The stones keep Israel before God’s eyes whenever the priest ministers.

Hebrew: זִכָּרוֹן (zikkaron, H2146) — “memorial, remembrance.” In the Bible, God ‘remembering’ means He acts in care and faithfulness toward His people. It is never merely that He recalls them.

See also: Isaiah 49:16.

Exodus 28:13-14

Gold settings and two chains of pure braided gold are prepared. These chains will later help hold the breastpiece to the ephod. Gold, the most precious and enduring metal, surrounds everything that stands for God’s people.

BSA: braided (“twisted, intertwined”): The chains are strongly woven, not loose links, so they can bear weight.

Exodus 28:15-16

The breastpiece is made of the same rich materials as the ephod and folded double into a square a span long. A span is the width of an outstretched hand. The folding forms a pouch, strong enough to carry the stones and the Urim and Thummim. It is called the breastpiece of judgment because of its use in seeking God’s decisions.

BSA: span (“distance from thumb to little finger, half a cubit”): It is about a hand’s stretch, roughly nine inches, a small but weighty piece.

Hebrew: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) — “judgment, decision, justice.” The word covers a right decision from God. The breastpiece is where the people’s questions were brought to Him for answer.

Exodus 28:17-20

Twelve precious stones are set in four rows of three, each in gold. Their exact identities are uncertain in English, but the colors and variety are clear. The beauty is gathered into one design: each tribe is different, and all are set side by side in one gleaming piece.

BSA: rows (“lines, sequences”): The stones are arranged in orderly lines, showing that God’s people are set in order before Him.

Exodus 28:21

Each stone carries one tribe’s name, cut like a seal. No tribe is left out and none is placed above the others. Every one is individually named and set over the priest’s heart. The tribes would later stand for the whole people of God.

BSA: seal (“a ring used to sign important documents”): A seal marks ownership; the tribes are marked as belonging to God.

Hebrew: חוֹתָם (chotam, H2368) — “signet, seal.” A signet was a personal stamp, carefully cut and carried close. The picture is of people held dear and marked as belonging.

See also: Revelation 21:12.

Exodus 28:22-25

Gold rings are fixed to the upper corners of the breastpiece, and the braided gold chains run from them to the shoulder settings. The breastpiece hangs from the shoulders, so the people are carried by the priest at the same time on his shoulders and on his chest.

BSA: rings (“signets”): The Hebrew word is also used for signet rings, adding a hint of belonging to the idea of fastening.

Exodus 28:26-28

Two more rings sit on the lower corners of the breastpiece, joined to rings on the ephod by a blue cord. This fixes the breastpiece just above the waistband so it cannot swing loose. What the priest carries for the people must be held firmly and in place.

BSA: cord (“thread, ribbon”): A simple blue cord secures the breastpiece, so a thin thread holds the whole arrangement steady.

Exodus 28:29

Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he carries the tribal names over his heart. They are a continual reminder before the LORD. The priest does not come alone. He comes with the people close to his heart, which also points to how God receives them.

BSA: heart (“inner being, emotions”): The names rest where love and care are felt, so the priest’s service is personal and not cold ritual.

See also: Hebrews 4:14-16.

Exodus 28:30

The Urim and Thummim are placed inside the breastpiece. They were used for seeking God’s answer on matters facing the nation. The Bible does not describe exactly how they worked. Their position over the heart means the priest carries the people’s decisions to God.

BSA: Urim (“sacred stones, objects of divine decision”): They were a God-given means of learning His will on weighty questions. judgment (“decisions, discernment”): The priest carries the nation’s need for guidance and decision into God’s presence.

See also: Numbers 27:21.

Exodus 28:31-32

The robe is made entirely of blue, with a head opening in the middle. The opening is bound with a woven edge so it will not tear. The robe is worn under the ephod, and this strong collar protects the garment from damage. Blue is the color of the sky, suggesting heaven.

BSA: blue (“violet”): The color is a deep blue-violet, linked to the heavens and to God’s presence.

Exodus 28:33-34

The lower hem is decorated with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, alternating with golden bells. The fruit speaks of life and plenty, and the bells give sound. Together, they suit the priest who moves in God’s presence.

BSA: bells (“a struck sound maker”): The bells ring with each step, making his movement audible.

Exodus 28:35

Aaron must wear the robe whenever he ministers. Its sound is heard when he goes in and out of the sanctuary, so that he will not die. Entering God’s presence is serious. The bells show that the priest is coming in as God has commanded.

BSA: sound (“a ringing, a voice”): The ringing speaks as the priest’s voice would, announcing that he enters in obedience. die (“perish, suffer the penalty of death”): It reminds us that approaching God’s holiness carelessly carries a real penalty.

Exodus 28:36-37

A pure gold plate is engraved like a seal with HOLY TO THE LORD. A blue cord fastens it to the front of the turban. The words name what the priest is and what the nation is called to be. Everything about the priest points to God’s holiness.

BSA: HOLY (“set apart, dedicated”): To be holy is to belong wholly to God and to be set apart for His use.

Hebrew: קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה (qodesh la-YHWH, H6944) — “holiness to the LORD.” The inscription says everything worn and done belongs to the LORD. It is the same wording the prophet later says will cover all Jerusalem.

See also: Zechariah 14:20.

Exodus 28:38

The plate on Aaron’s forehead means he bears the guilt connected with the holy gifts the people offer. Even their best offerings are imperfect, and the priest’s role covers that. As a result, their worship is acceptable before the LORD. It points to the need for a mediator.

BSA: bear (“lift, carry, and atone for”): The priest takes up the people’s guilt and deals with it, so it does not rest on them. acceptable (“pleasing, delightful”): God receives their worship with favor, not rejection.

Hebrew: נָשָׂא (nasa, H5375) — “lift, carry, bear.” The same word is used for carrying names in verse 12 and carrying iniquity here. The priest lifts both people and their guilt.

See also: Hebrews 7:25.

Exodus 28:39-40

Plainer garments are made of fine linen: the tunic, turban and sash for Aaron, and tunics, sashes and headbands for his sons. The sons are dressed simply but honorably. Their clothing also gives them glory and splendor, so all priests are marked as belonging to God’s service.

BSA: tunics (“long, shirt-like”): These were long, plain white shirts, the base layer of priestly dress.

Exodus 28:41

Moses is to dress Aaron and his sons, then anoint, ordain and consecrate them. The priesthood is given and conferred, not taken. Oil, clothing and ceremony together set them apart for God. Leviticus 8 later describes the actual ceremony.

BSA: consecrate (“set apart as holy, sanctify”): They are made holy by being dedicated to God, not by their own merit. anoint (“rub oil on, set apart”): Oil poured on the person marks him out for God’s service.

Hebrew: מִלֵּאתָ (mille’ta, H4390) — “you shall fill.” The phrase behind ‘ordain’ is literally ‘fill their hand.’ It pictures placing the work of priesthood into their hands.

See also: Leviticus 8:1-13.

Exodus 28:42-43

Linen undergarments, from waist to thigh, are to cover the priests’ bare flesh. They must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar, so they will not incur guilt and die. Even the most private part of the body is to be covered when serving a holy God. The rule is permanent for the priesthood.

BSA: cover (“hide from view, conceal”): Modesty and reverence go together in approaching God. permanent (“lasting, eternal, forever”): The rule stays in force for as long as that priesthood serves.

See also: Exodus 20:26.