Exodus 28
DOYLYExodus 28:30
- — the Urim and the Thummim. ] The words Urim and Thummim signify light and perfection. There is not the least intimation any where what these were, nor is there any direction given to Moses for the making of them, as there is for the rest of the priestly attire. The opinions respecting their meaning have been very various: some have thought that the words merely referred to the twelve stones, which have been described, ver. 17, on the breastplate of the high priest; others, that they were small oracular figures placed in the doubling of the breastplate, which gave articulate answers; others, that they referred to a plate of gold, inscribed with the sacred name of Jehovah; others again, that they only imply the Divine virtue and power given to the breastplate in its consecration, of obtaining an oracular answer from God; and that the names Urim and Thummim were applied only to denote the clearness and perfection, which those oracular answers always carried with them. Whatever the ornament was, it enabled the high priest to collect divine instruction on occasions of national importance, or even of private concern. It is wholly unknown how the Lord answered by the Urim and Thummim. The Jews generally think it was done by the shining of the stones, on the breastplate, or of some letters inscribed upon it. Others with more reason suppose that the Urim and Thummim only qualified the high priest to present himself in the holy place to receive answers from the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Dr. Gray, Dean Prideaux, Bp. Patrick.
Exodus 28:32
- — habergeon. ] Armour to cover the neck and breast, a neckpiece. Dr. Johnson.
Exodus 28:33
- — pomegranates ] Bells of embroidery, in size and shape like pomegranates. The pomegranate is a sort of apple very common in the East; as the fruit is very beautiful, the Scriptures often make use of similitudes taken from it. Calmet. — bells ] The bell seems to have been a sacred utensil of very ancient use in Asia. The use and intent of these bells in the pontifical robe of the Jewish high priest is evident from the following words: “his sound shall be heard when he goeth in, &c.” The sound of the numerous bells that covered the hem of his garment gave notice to the assembled people that the most awful ceremony of their religion had commenced. When arrayed in this garb, he bore into the sanctuary the vessel of incense; it was the signal to prostrate themselves before the Deity, and to commence those fervent ejaculations which were to ascend with the column of that incense to the throne of heaven. The ancient kings of Persia, who, in fact, united in their own persons the regal and sacerdotal office, were accustomed to have the fringes of their robes adorned with pomegranates and golden bells. Calmet. One indispensable ceremony in the Indian Pooja is Before CHRIST 1491. Holy garments. Consecration of priests. Before CHRIST 1491. b Eodus. 45. 9.
Exodus 28:38
- — that Aaron may bear the iniquity &c.] Meaning that, if there should happen to be any defects in the sacrifices or gifts presented to God, these defects might be pardoned by the intercession of the high priest, when he appeared before God with this plate as a crown on his head. Bp. Patrick. In this the high priest was a fit type of Christ, 1 Pet. ii. 26. Bp. Kidder.
Exodus 28:39
- — the mitre] The form of the high priest’s mitre is not well understood, the descriptions which are given of it being very various; nor is it known in what re-
spects it differed from the bonnet (ver. 40) of the other priests, except that it was more adorned and costly. The Hebrew doctors say that they both consisted of folds of linen, wrapt several times round, like the turbans now worn in the East. Calmet.
Exodus 28:43
- — that they bear not iniquity, and die:] That God may not punish them with death, for profaneness in neglecting to appear before Him with the sacred garments, which He has appointed. Bp. Patrick.
Chap. XXIX. ver. 10. — shall put their hands upon the head] This was to shew that they loaded the victim