"God tells Moses to instruct all the skilled craftsmen to make Aaron's garments for consecrating him to serve God as priest. These craftsmen are to make the ephod, the breastpiece, the robe, the turban, and other priestly garments such as tunics, sashes and headbands."
Exodus 28 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“Now bring your brother Aaron near, and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel, so that he may serve as priest to Me—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. 2 You are to make sacred garments [official clothing reserved for holy services] for Aaron your brother, for honor and for beauty (ornamentation). 3 Tell all the skilled and talented people whom I have endowed with a spirit of wisdom, that they are to make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him and set him apart to serve as a priest for Me. 4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastpiece and an ephod [for the breastpiece] and a robe and a tunic of checkered work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make sacred garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, so that he may serve as a priest to Me. 5 They are to use the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen [from the people],
- BEAUTIFUL, SACRED GARMENTS. Still at Mt. Sinai-- after giving all the instructions about the making of 'Tabernacle' or God's sanctuary, God proceeded to detail about the making and preparing of garments for the priests, that will be led by Aaron and sons. What is a priest and 'Why is a Priest Required?' According to https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Hebrew_Roots/Holy_Priesthood/Define:
- A priest is required to act as a mediator. He is one who represents the Divine being to His subjects and in return from them to their God. He acts as an ambassador, a chosen vehicle through whom Yahweh God has chosen to serve the people and represent Him, on His behalf. He also mediates between the people and their God.
God is a God of beauty, He makes beautiful things, and He is also sacred/holy. It makes sense that the priest's garments shall also be the same, because the priests will go before God, in behalf of all the people.
The Ephod
6 and they shall make the ephod of gold and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skillfully woven and [beautifully] worked. 7 It is to have two shoulder pieces joined to its two [back and front] ends, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven sash, which is on the ephod shall be made of the same material: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the [twelve] sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on one stone and the remaining six names on the other stone, arranged in the order of their births. 11 With the work of a jeweler, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel. You shall have them set in [a]filigree [settings] of gold. 12 You shall put the two stones on the [two] shoulder pieces of the ephod [of the high priest], as memorial stones for Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the Lord. 13 You shall make filigree [settings] of gold, 14 and you are to make two chains of pure gold like twisted cords, and fasten the corded chains to the settings.
Footnotes: Exodus 28:11 I.e. ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design.
- EVEN THE GARMENTS POINT TO JESUS CHRIST. As always with God, everything points to Jesus, our Lord and Savior-- even the parts of the priest's garments. The human priests (like Aaron and sons) that will serve as a mediator between God and the people of Israel, also foreshadows Jesus as the High Priest, the ultimate 'mediator' between us and God.
The Breastplate
15 “You are to make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled and talented craftsman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and of fine twisted linen. 16 The breastpiece shall be square and folded double; a span [about nine inches] in length and a span in width. 17 You shall mount on it four rows of stones: the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; 18 the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21 The [engraved] stones shall be twelve, according to the names of [the twelve tribes of] the sons of Israel; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make for the breastpiece chains of pure gold twisted like cords. 23 You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece. 24 You shall put the two twisted cords of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastpiece. 25 The other two ends of the two cords you shall fasten in the two filigree settings in front, putting them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 26 You shall make two gold rings and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 You are to make two gold rings and attach them to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod in front, close to the place where it is joined, above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod. 28 They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it will be above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod, so that the breastpiece will not come loose from the ephod. 29 So Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the Holy Place, to bring them in continual remembrance before the Lord. 30 In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the [b]Urim (Lights) and the Thummim (Perfections) [to be used for determining God’s will in a matter]. They shall be over Aaron’s heart whenever he goes before the Lord, and Aaron shall always carry the judgment (verdict, judicial decisions) of the sons of Israel over his heart before the Lord.
Footnotes: Exodus 28:30 I.e. unspecified articles used like lots when the high priest asked God’s counsel for Israel.
- DETAILS AND PURPOSE. The breastpiece was for 'judgment'. It was very ornate, made of gold and jewels, but it has a great significance and purpose in the whole priestly garment. The names of the 12 tribes was engraved to the precious stones. "Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the Holy Place, to bring them in continual remembrance before the Lord." (v.29) The (appointed) priest mediates and represents the whole tribe of Israel when coming to the Holy Place. The breastplate also served as a continual remembrance to God and all the people 'God's covenant' and promises to Israel.
31 “And you shall make the [c]robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 There shall be an opening at its top in the center [for the head], with a binding of woven work around the opening, like the opening in a coat of armor, so that it will not tear or fray. 33 You shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric all around its hem, with gold bells between them; 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around the [bottom] hem of the robe. 35 Aaron shall wear the robe when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes [alone] into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he will not die there.
36 “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ 37 You shall fasten it on the front of the turban with a blue cord. 38 It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall take away the guilt from the holy things which the sons of Israel dedicate, with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be accepted before the Lord.
39 “You shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and make a turban of fine linen. You shall make a sash, the work of an embroiderer.
40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics and sashes and [ornamental] caps, for glory and honor and beauty. 41 You shall put the various articles of clothing on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain and sanctify them, so that they may serve Me as priests. 42 You shall make for them [white] linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, reaching from the waist to the thighs. 43 The various articles of clothing shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the Tent of Meeting, or when they approach the altar [of incense] to minister in the Holy Place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to Aaron and to his descendants after him.
Footnotes: Exodus 28:31 I.e. the robe worn underneath the ephod.
- WHY THE GOLDEN BELLS? I got curious about the 'golden bell and a pomegranate' all round the bottom hem of the robe of the priest. The resource https://scriptoriumblogorium.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-is-meaning-of-bells-and.html offered an interesting view about it!
After reading, I always check out the Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik (very helpful!):
a. Take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him: The priesthood of Israel was not earned by effort nor aspired to by ambition. It could only be inherited by birthright. One must be born into a priestly family.
i. The priesthood was no place for ambition or self-glory. It was only entered into by God’s call and invitation. In the New Covenant, our priesthood is also not earned nor aspired to. We are priests because of our new birth into Jesus’ priestly family (1 Peter 2:5).
i. It was not enough that the High Priest worked for the people (having them on his shoulders). He must also love the people – that is, bear them on his heart.
ii. It isn’t enough for a priest to have a heart for God. He must also have a heart for the people, and bear them on his heart in his entire ministry unto the Lord.
i. We cannot neglect the fact God commanded the tribes to have their names inscribed on gemstones – truly precious things. God’s people are indeed precious to Him.
ii. The names Urim and Thummim mean “Lights and Perfections.” We aren’t sure what they were or how they were used. The best guess is that they were a pair of stones, one light and another dark, and each stone indicated a “yes” or “no” from God. The High Priest would ask God a question, reach into the breastplate, and pull out either a “yes” or a “no.”
iii. Meyer suggests the Urim and Thummim were brilliant diamonds, which flashed brightly with a “yes” or dimly with a “no” answer from God.
b. Bells of gold between them all around: On its hem, between the ornate pomegranates of blue and purple, were bells, so the priest could be heard while ministering before God – if he were to die, the bells would stop ringing and he could be pulled out of the Most Holy Place. The sound of the bells would remind the priest of the solemn nature of his work, and remind him so that he may not die.
i. “The tinkling bells were presumably so that the people outside could trace the movements of the priest within, who was of course invisible to them. By this they would know that his offering had been accepted, and that he had not been struck dead.” (Cole)
ii. “The pomegranates (symbols of fruitfulness) were either hanging as ‘bobbles’ between the bells, or else embroidered on the fabric.” (Cole)
iii. “The alternating bell and pomegranate on the skirts of the priest’s robe were typical of his obligation to testimony and fruit bearing.” (Morgan)
ii. Even so, the High Priest’s clothing, in total, speaks more of Jesus’ glory and beauty than of ours. We are (or should be) content with simple linen robes.
b. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests: Here God explained three important and essential aspects to the preparation of His servants: anointing, consecration, and sanctification. They are separated because here they indicated three different ideas.
i. Anoint describes the application of the sacred oil upon the head. In the consistent idiom of the Bible, it represents the filling and continual reliance upon the power and work of the Holy Spirit.
ii. Consecrate “Is the translation of two Hebrew words, meaning the filling of the open hand, and signifies the perfect equipment of the anointed one for the discharge of that ministry.” (Morgan)
iii. Sanctify “Means literally, to make clean, and refers to the spiritual and moral separation of the priest from all defilement.” (Morgan)
C. A Contrast between Jesus’ clothing when He accomplished His great priestly work and the garments of the High Priest.
-Jesus wore no beautiful ephod – only a purple robe for mocking.
-Jesus had no precious gems were on His shoulders, only a cross that we deserved.
-Jesus had no breastplate with “Israel on His heart,” yet He died of a broken heart for Israel – and all of mankind.
-As the High Priest, Jesus had a seamless robe that was not torn, but it was stripped away at the cross.
-Jesus heard no delicate sound of bells proving that the High Priest was alive, only the sound of pounding nails ensuring our High Priest’s death.
-Jesus wore no fine linen turban, rather a painful crown of thorns.
-Jesus had no headplate reading Holiness to the Lord, but a life and death showing nothing but holiness to the Lord!
-Jesus had no linen trousers to hide His nakedness, rather He bore our sins on the cross in a naked shame.
i. The priesthood was no place for ambition or self-glory. It was only entered into by God’s call and invitation. In the New Covenant, our priesthood is also not earned nor aspired to. We are priests because of our new birth into Jesus’ priestly family (1 Peter 2:5).
i. It was not enough that the High Priest worked for the people (having them on his shoulders). He must also love the people – that is, bear them on his heart.
ii. It isn’t enough for a priest to have a heart for God. He must also have a heart for the people, and bear them on his heart in his entire ministry unto the Lord.
i. We cannot neglect the fact God commanded the tribes to have their names inscribed on gemstones – truly precious things. God’s people are indeed precious to Him.
ii. The names Urim and Thummim mean “Lights and Perfections.” We aren’t sure what they were or how they were used. The best guess is that they were a pair of stones, one light and another dark, and each stone indicated a “yes” or “no” from God. The High Priest would ask God a question, reach into the breastplate, and pull out either a “yes” or a “no.”
iii. Meyer suggests the Urim and Thummim were brilliant diamonds, which flashed brightly with a “yes” or dimly with a “no” answer from God.
b. Bells of gold between them all around: On its hem, between the ornate pomegranates of blue and purple, were bells, so the priest could be heard while ministering before God – if he were to die, the bells would stop ringing and he could be pulled out of the Most Holy Place. The sound of the bells would remind the priest of the solemn nature of his work, and remind him so that he may not die.
i. “The tinkling bells were presumably so that the people outside could trace the movements of the priest within, who was of course invisible to them. By this they would know that his offering had been accepted, and that he had not been struck dead.” (Cole)
ii. “The pomegranates (symbols of fruitfulness) were either hanging as ‘bobbles’ between the bells, or else embroidered on the fabric.” (Cole)
iii. “The alternating bell and pomegranate on the skirts of the priest’s robe were typical of his obligation to testimony and fruit bearing.” (Morgan)
ii. Even so, the High Priest’s clothing, in total, speaks more of Jesus’ glory and beauty than of ours. We are (or should be) content with simple linen robes.
b. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests: Here God explained three important and essential aspects to the preparation of His servants: anointing, consecration, and sanctification. They are separated because here they indicated three different ideas.
i. Anoint describes the application of the sacred oil upon the head. In the consistent idiom of the Bible, it represents the filling and continual reliance upon the power and work of the Holy Spirit.
ii. Consecrate “Is the translation of two Hebrew words, meaning the filling of the open hand, and signifies the perfect equipment of the anointed one for the discharge of that ministry.” (Morgan)
iii. Sanctify “Means literally, to make clean, and refers to the spiritual and moral separation of the priest from all defilement.” (Morgan)
C. A Contrast between Jesus’ clothing when He accomplished His great priestly work and the garments of the High Priest.
-Jesus wore no beautiful ephod – only a purple robe for mocking.
-Jesus had no precious gems were on His shoulders, only a cross that we deserved.
-Jesus had no breastplate with “Israel on His heart,” yet He died of a broken heart for Israel – and all of mankind.
-As the High Priest, Jesus had a seamless robe that was not torn, but it was stripped away at the cross.
-Jesus heard no delicate sound of bells proving that the High Priest was alive, only the sound of pounding nails ensuring our High Priest’s death.
-Jesus wore no fine linen turban, rather a painful crown of thorns.
-Jesus had no headplate reading Holiness to the Lord, but a life and death showing nothing but holiness to the Lord!
-Jesus had no linen trousers to hide His nakedness, rather He bore our sins on the cross in a naked shame.
Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-28.cfm ©2013 David Guzik
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