Exodus 28
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1“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. 2You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 4These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 5They shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen. 6“They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. 7It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. 8The skillfully woven band, which is on it, that is on him, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel: 10six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel: you shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. 12You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial. 13You shall make settings of gold, 14and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. 15“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it. 16It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length of it, and a span its width. 17You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row; 18and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 19and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. 21The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes. 22You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 23You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 24You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 25The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart. 26You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. 27You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod. 29Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Yahweh continually. 30You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before Yahweh: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before Yahweh continually. 31“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32It shall have a hole for the head in the middle of it. It shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn. 33On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them: 34a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. 35It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die. 36“You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLY TO YAHWEH.’ 37You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash; on the front of the sash it shall be. 38It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh. 39You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer. 40“You shall make coats for Aaron’s sons, and you shall make sashes for them and you shall make headbands for them, for glory and for beauty. 41You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. 42You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: 43They shall be on Aaron, and on his sons, when they go in to the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place; that they don’t bear iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever to him and to his offspring after him.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And you shall write on the front of the mitre, 'Holy to the Lord.'”
Exodus 28:36
Summary
Exodus chapter 28 focuses on the detailed instructions given to Moses regarding the garments and consecration of the priests, particularly Aaron and his sons, who would serve in the tabernacle. The chapter emphasizes the importance of holiness and the aesthetic splendor of the priestly attire, which symbolizes their role as mediators between God and the people of Israel. The garments are designed not only for beauty but also to invoke reverence and depict the spiritual responsibilities of the priests as representatives of the nation before God. The chapter outlines specific garments such as the ephod, breastpiece, and robe, each of which has unique features and significance. For instance, the breastpiece is adorned with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing the priest's role in carrying the names of these tribes before the Lord. The golden medallion worn on the priest's forehead serves as a reminder of the holiness required in the service of God, reiterating the call to purity and dedication in the priestly office. The instructions culminate in the consecration ceremony, which involves sacrifices and anointing, symbolizing the setting apart of the priesthood for service. This chapter highlights the seriousness of entering into God's presence and the necessity for a mediator due to the holiness of God. The theological significance lies in understanding Christ's ultimate high priestly role, fulfilling and surpassing these old covenant symbols through His own sacrificial act, which grants believers direct access to God.
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Chapter outline
How Exodus 28 unfolds
Exodus 28:1–4 Introduction of Aaron and His Garments
God instructs Moses to bring Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, emphasizing the need for holy garments for their office.
Exodus 28:5–12 Materials and Details for the Ephod
Moses is given specific materials to create the ephod, which includes onyx stones engraved with the names of the tribes, symbolizing their memorial before God.
Exodus 28:13–30 Construction of the Breastplate
The breastplate is detailed, featuring twelve stones representing the tribes, and is designed to carry the judgment of the people before Yahweh.
Exodus 28:31–37 Design of the Robe and Holiness Symbol
Instructions for the robe include pomegranates and bells, along with a golden plate inscribed 'Holy to Yahweh,' reflecting the seriousness of priestly duties.
Exodus 28:38–43 Consecration and Garments for Aaron's Sons
The chapter concludes with the requirement of consecration for Aaron and his sons, highlighting their sacred role and the need for modest garments.
Key verses
Exodus 28:36Exodus 28:36 encapsulates the chapter's focus on holiness, emphasizing the purity required in the priestly office.
Main themes in Exodus 28
Priesthood
In Exodus 28, the theme of priesthood emerges as God designates Aaron and his sons as the first priests in verses 1 and 41. The chapter provides intricate details about their garments and consecration, emphasizing their role as mediators between God and the people of Israel. This development highlights the importance of having a sacred office that enables the community to approach the holiness of God through appointed representatives.
Holiness
Holiness is a key theme as seen in the requirement for Aaron to wear garments that reflect glory and beauty, particularly in verses 2 and 38. The chapter emphasizes that the priest must embody holiness to approach God rightly. It illustrates how God's presence demands purity and reverence from His representatives.
Mediatorship
The concept of mediatorship is central in this chapter, especially as Aaron bears the names of Israel on his shoulders and heart in verses 12 and 29. This burdensome role illustrates the mediator's responsibility to represent the people before God. The need for mediation highlights the gap between divine holiness and human sinfulness.
Consecration
Consecration is emphasized throughout the chapter, particularly in verses 41 and 43 where Aaron and his sons are set apart for holy service. The elaborate instructions for their garments and the consecration ceremony stress the seriousness of their role. This theme develops the understanding of being dedicated to God for ministry.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 28
- Exodus 39Exodus 39 echoes the detailed descriptions of priestly garments and their significance in the priestly service.
- Leviticus 8Leviticus 8 connects as it describes the actual consecration of Aaron and his sons, expanding on their role in the tabernacle.
- Exodus 29Exodus 29 develops the theme of consecration, outlining the rituals necessary for setting apart Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 35Exodus 35 connects with the call for skilled artisans to create the sacred garments, emphasizing communal involvement in worship.
- Leviticus 10Leviticus 10 echoes the seriousness of priestly conduct, reinforcing the need for holiness in ministry.
- Exodus 31Exodus 31 connects by highlighting the spirit of wisdom given to artisans, essential for crafting the holy garments.
Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 28
- What specific materials were used to make the ephod and breastplate?
- How do the names on the stones represent the tribes of Israel?
- What is the significance of the golden plate worn on Aaron's forehead?
- How does the design of the robe reflect the holiness required in the priesthood?
- What are the steps involved in the consecration of Aaron and his sons?
- Why is it important for the priest to bear the names of the tribes before Yahweh?
- How does this chapter illustrate the role of mediators in approaching God?
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