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Exodus Chapter Twenty-eight

 

Exodus 28 Outlines

Garments for the Priesthood (v.1~4)

The Ephod (v.5~14)

The Breastplate (v.15~30)

Other Priestly Garments (v.31~43)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 28

This chapter informs us of the servants God would have to minister to him in the house or tabernacle he had ordered to be made even Aaron and his sons Exodus 28:1 of the garments they were to wear in their service Exodus 28:2 and first of the garments of the high priest and particularly of the ephod with the girdle on the shoulder pieces of which were to be two onyx stones with the names of the children of Israel engraved on them Exodus 28:6 and that of the breastplate of judgment with the Urim and Thummum in it Exodus 28:15 and of the robe of the ephod Exodus 28:31 and of the mitre Exodus 28:36 and then of the garments of the common priests Exodus 28:40.

 

Exodus 28:1  “Now take Aaron your brother and his sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister to Me as priest Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar.

   YLT  1`And thou bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother and his sons with him from the midst of the sons of Israel for his being priest to Me [even] Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar sons of Aaron;

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother and his sons with him .... Moses is bid to fetch or send for Aaron and his sons to him: or "cause" them to "draw near"F14הקרב "appropinquare fac" Pagninus Montanus Vatablus. to him and stand before him that he might in the name of the Lord and by his authority distinguish and separate them

from among the children of Israel: and before them all invest them with the office of priesthood as it follows:

that they may minister unto me in the priest's office before this time every master of a family was a priest and might and did offer sacrifice and all the Israelites were a kingdom of priests; and Moses as Aben Ezra calls him was "a priest of priests"; but now it being enough for him to be the political ruler of the people and the prophet of the Lord the priestly office is bestowed on Aaron and his sons; nor might any afterwards officiate in it but such as were of his family; and a great honour this was that was conferred on him and to which he was called of God as in Hebrews 5:4 and it is greatly in the favour of Moses and which shows him to be an upright and undesigning man that sought not to aggrandize himself and his family; that though he had so much honour and power himself he sought not to entail any upon his posterity. It is hinted in the latter part of the preceding chapter that Aaron and his sons should minister in the sanctuary and look after the candlestick and its lamps; and here the design of God concerning them is more fully opened which was that they should be his peculiar ministers and servants in his house to do all the business appertaining to it:

even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar Aaron's sons: who were all the sons that Aaron had that we read of; though Aben Ezra thinks it probable that he might have other sons and therefore the names of those are particularly mentioned who were to be taken into the priest's office with him; the two first of these died very quickly after this in a very awful manner as the sacred story relates; and from the other two sprung all the priests that were in all successive generations.

 

Exodus 28:2  2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother for glory and for beauty.

   YLT  2and thou hast made holy garments for Aaron thy brother for honour and for beauty;

And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother .... Called so because in these he was to minister in the holy place and perform holy service; and because typical of the holy human nature of Christ our great High Priest and of his spotless righteousness and of the garments of sanctification both outward and inward that all believers in him who are made priests unto God are arrayed with: Aaron and his sons being appointed priests their garments are first described before their work and even before their consecration to their office; and there were some peculiar to Aaron or the high priest and different from those of his sons or the common priests; and which are first treated of as the breastplate the robe of ephod and the plate of gold; besides these there were four more common to all the priests as the coat the breeches the girdle and bonnet. Now whereas some of the Heathen priests performed their office and offered their sacrifices naked which was very shameful and abominable as BrauniusF15De Vestitu Sacerdot. Heb. l. 1. c. 1. sect. 5. p. 11. from various authors has shown though this was not done by them all: in opposition to such a filthy practice and to show his detestation of it the Lord orders his priests to be clothed and that in a very splendid manner with garments

for glory and beauty; that is with glorious and beautiful ones and which would make his priests look so: and this was done partly to point out the dignity of their office to themselves that they might take care to behave suitable to it and keep up the honour and credit of it; and partly to make them respectable unto men and be honoured by them none being clothed as they were as Aben Ezra observes; but chiefly because they were typical of the glory and beauty of Christ's human nature which was as a garment put on and put off and on again and in which he officiated as a priest and still does; and which is now very glorious and in which he is fairer than any of the children of men; and of the garments of salvation and robe of righteousness in which all his people his priests appear exceeding glorious and beautiful even in a perfection of beauty.

 

Exodus 28:3  3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him that he may minister to Me as priest.

   YLT  3and thou -- thou dost speak unto all the wise of heart whom I have filled [with] a spirit of wisdom and they have made the garments of Aaron to sanctify him for his being priest to Me.

And thou shall speak unto all that are wise hearted .... That have knowledge and understanding in mechanic arts particularly in making garments; and it required men of more than ordinary skill to be employed in making these because they were uncommon ones and required a good deal of thought and judgment and care and application to make them exactly as they should be:

whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom; for besides a common understanding of things these required a peculiar gift from God which some men as Bezaleel and Aholiab had:

that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him to put upon him at the time of his consecration; and indeed this was one way by which as well as by sacrifices that he was consecrated see Exodus 29:1

that he may minister unto me in the priest's office for the priests without having these garments on might not minister in their office; for when these garments were off as they were when they were out of their service they were as other men as laymen; see Gill on Ezekiel 42:14.

 

Exodus 28:4  4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate an ephod [a] a robe a skillfully woven tunic a turban and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons that he may minister to Me as priest.

   YLT  4`And these [are] the garments which they make: a breastplate and an ephod and an upper robe and an embroidered coat a mitre and a girdle; yea they have made holy garments for Aaron thy brother and for his sons for his being priest to Me.

And these are the garments which they shall make .... Some for Aaron and some for his sons some peculiar to the high priest and others in common to him and other priests:

a breastplate and an ephod and a robe and a broidered coat a mitre and a girdle; of each of which with others there is a more particular account in this chapter and will be observed in their order:

and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his sons: as those before mentioned with some others not mentioned; some for Aaron only and others that were to be worn by his sons also:

that he may minister unto me in the priest's office; these were absolutely necessary to the execution of the priestly office and an essential qualification for it and without which it was not lawful to serve in it.

 

Exodus 28:5  5 “They shall take the gold blue purple and scarlet thread and the fine linen

   YLT  5`And they take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet and the linen

And they shall take .... The Targum of Jonathan adds out of their substance; that is those that were wise hearted and had knowledge and skill in making such garments; these were to take not out of their own personal substance but they were to take or receive from Moses what the people freely offered for such service Exodus 36:3

gold and blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen; pieces of gold which they beat into thin plates and drew into wires and which they worked into stuffs woollen or linen or both of the colours here mentioned; all which were made use of in the ephod girdle breastplate &c. see Exodus 39:3 and had a mystical significance in them.

 

Exodus 28:6  6 and they shall make the ephod of gold blue purple and scarlet thread and fine woven linen artistically worked.

   YLT  6and have made the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and twined linen work of a designer;

And they shall make the ephod .... This was the outermost garment of all and was put over the robe; it was a short garment reaching to the loins as KimchiF16Comment. in 1 Chron. 15. 27. ; or to the buttocks as AbarbinelF17Comment. in loc. ; and not to the heels or feet as JarchiF18Comment. in loc. and MaimonidesF19Hilchot Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 9. ; for JosephusF20Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5. says it was but a cubit long which was little more than half a yard; he means that part of it which was distinct from the shoulder pieces and came down from thence: the hinder part of it covered the back and reached to the middle of the buttocks; and the forepart covered the breast and belly and with shoulder pieces under the arm holes was buttoned with onyx stones upon the top of the shoulders and was girt about the breast with a curious girdle: it had no sleeves though JosephusF21Ib. says it had as appears from the make of it; it was different from the linen ephod worn by the common priests and others and was a symbol of the human nature of Christ our great High Priest: it was made of

gold of blue and of purple of scarlet and fine twined linen with cunning work; the stuff of which it was made was interwoven with threads of gold and threads of blue purple and scarlet yarn and threads of linen wrought with divers figures in a curious manner which looked very beautiful; and was a fit emblem of the glory excellency and purity of Christ's human nature; of the various graces of the Spirit in it; of his heavenly original; of his blood sufferings and death and glorious exaltation; and of its being a curious piece of workmanship wrought by the Lord himself Hebrews 10:5.

 

Exodus 28:7  7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges and so it shall be joined together.

   YLT  7it hath two shoulders joining at its two ends and it is joined.

It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof .... Which were two pieces that joined to the ephod reaching from the arm holes to the shoulders both on the right and left coming from before and behind; and meeting on the shoulders were buttoned with two onyx stones and covering the shoulders are called by this name:

joined at the two edges thereof; the two edges of the ephod; not sewed thereunto with a needle as MaimonidesF23Ut supra. (Hilchot Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 9.) and other Jewish writers think but were woven along with it and in the weaving was of the same with it:

and so it shall be joined together; that is the hinder and fore parts of the ephod in the shoulder pieces of it shall be joined together by the two onyx stones upon them hereafter mentioned with which they were buttoned.

 

Exodus 28:8  8 And the intricately woven band of the ephod which is on it shall be of the same workmanship made of gold blue purple and scarlet thread and fine woven linen.

   YLT  8`And the girdle of his ephod which [is] on him according to its work is of the same of gold blue and purple and scarlet and twined linen.

And the curious girdle of the ephod which is upon it .... Which was worn along with it and went out from it like two thongs as Jarchi says which girt the ephod close to the back and breast:

shall be of the same; of the same matter as the ephod and woven in the same manner and together with it:

according to the work thereof; wrought with the same coloured curious and cunning work:

even of gold of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen; and from the gold in it it was called a golden girdle to distinguish it from others and with it the priest was girt under the arm holes about the paps to which the allusion is Revelation 1:13 and is an emblem of the close union of the human nature of Christ to his divine which is the effect of his love to his people; which as it is seen in his incarnation so more especially in his sufferings and death; and it may denote his strength to do his work as a priest his readiness to perform it and his faithfulness and integrity in it; righteousness being the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

 

Exodus 28:9  9 “Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:

   YLT  9`And thou hast taken the two shoham stones and hast opened on them the names of the sons of Israel;

And thou shall take two onyx stones .... called from the colour of a man's nail which they to resemble: the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call them stones of beryl and so the Syriac version; the Septuagint stones of emerald and the Arabic version crystal stones: but according to JosephusF24Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5.) they were sardonyx stones and in which BranniusF25De Vestitu Sacerd. Heb. l. 2. c. 18. sect. 4. p. 730. thinks he was right:

and grave on them the names of the children of Israel; the names of the twelve sons of Jacob six on one stone and six on the other as often mentioned for which onyx stones are very fit; and they must be very large to have so many letters graved upon them; for there is no reason to believe the initial letters of their names only were engraved but their whole names at length. In the Museum at Dresden is an oriental onyx which cost 48 000 dollars; it is of an oval figure and its longest diameter is almost six inches and in such an one might easily be engraved so many names: and Wagenseil makes mention of one in the possession of the bishop of Bamberg in which were represented Christ sitting and teaching his twelve apostles standing round him of which he has given the figureF26Not. in Misn. Sotah c. 9. p. 996. : the onyx stone being of the colour observed was a fit emblem of Christ in his human nature and if the sardonyx of him in both his natures; and as the twelve tribes of Israel were a figure of the church their names being on two stones may denote both the Jewish and Gentile churches; these being precious stones on which they were engraven may signify how valuable the church and its members are to Christ; and being alike there their being equally loved of God chosen in Christ redeemed by his blood interested in all the blessings of his grace and shall enjoy the same glory; and their names being there the distinct knowledge had of them by name and being in ouches of gold their dignity and safety as afterwards declared.

 

Exodus 28:10  10 six of their names on one stone and six names on the other stone in order of their birth.

   YLT  10six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the second stone according to their births;

Six of their names on one stone .... The names of the six eldest on the stone upon the right shoulder:

and the other six names of the rest on the other stone: the names of the six youngest on the stone upon the left shoulder; for these stones as afterwards said were put on the shoulders of the priests:

according to their birth; the order of it; so that upon the first stone were engraven the names of Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan and Naphtali; and on the second stone the names of Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph and Benjamin; and so they are disposed by Jarchi with whom Josephus agreesF1Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5.) ; though some Jewish writers and particularly MaimonidesF2Hilchot Cele Hamikdash ut supra. (c. 9. sect. 9.) place them otherwise; but this seems most agreeable to the letter and sense of the text.

 

Exodus 28:11  11 With the work of an engraver in stone like the engravings of a signet you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall set them in settings of gold.

   YLT  11the work of an engraver in stone openings of a signet thou dost open the two stones by the names of the sons of Israel; turned round embroidered [with] gold thou dost make them.

With the work of an engraver in stone .... Not in common but precious stones: Moses was not to do this himself as it could not be supposed he should but he was to employ an engraver whose business it was and one that was capable of doing it in a professional manner:

like the engravings of a signet shall thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: as in signets or seals by which impressions are made on wax the letters or figures are cut deep that they might on the wax stand out; so it seems the letters of the names of the children of Israel were cut in these stones: this shows that engraving on precious stones is very old and the ancients indeed are said to excel in this art:

thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold; in beazils or sockets such as precious stones in rings are set in; these with the stones in them served as buttons to fasten together the hinder and fore part of the ephod on the shoulder pieces of it.

 

Exodus 28:12  12 And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.

   YLT  12`And thou hast set the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod -- stones of memorial to the sons of Israel -- and Aaron hath borne their names before Jehovah on his two shoulders for a memorial.

And thou shall put the stones upon the shoulders of the ephod .... That is the shoulder pieces of it; these stones were put there the names of the twelve sons of Israel being engraven on them and they set in rims or sockets of gold and serving for buttons to the shoulder pieces: but chiefly the design of them was

for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: not to put the Israelites in mind of the merits of their ancestors as the Targum of Jonathan; for none of their works were meritorious and some were not good and not worthy of remembrance; but rather to put Aaron or the high priest in mind to pray and make intercession for the twelve tribes whose names were on the stones; or rather to put God himself in remembrance of his promises made unto them and that they were his dear special and peculiar people; just as the rainbow was to be a memorial to the Lord of the covenant he made with all flesh and which is to be understood after the manner of men:

and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial; signifying his presentation of them to the Lord when he appeared before him on the mercy seat; his intercession for them and his patient bearing all their infirmities and weaknesses; in which he was a type of Christ who presents all his people to his divine Father makes intercession for them and bears all their burdens the care and government of them being upon his shoulders Isaiah 9:6.

 

Exodus 28:13  13 You shall also make settings of gold

   YLT  13`And thou hast made embroidered things of gold

And thou shalt make ouches of gold. Or sockets of gold to put the two onyx stones in Exodus 28:11 for of other ouches we read not excepting the enclosings in which the twelve stones of the breastplate were set Exodus 28:20 and these are again mentioned because of the chains to be fastened to them of which in the following verse.

 

Exodus 28:14  14 and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords and fasten the braided chains to the settings.

   YLT  14and two chains of pure gold wreathed work thou dost make them work of thick bands and thou hast put the thick chains on the embroidered things.

And two chains of pure gold at the ends .... The use of which was to hang the breast plate on after described; one end of them was fastened to rings on the ouches in the shoulder pieces and the other end to rings on the breastplate and thus it hung:

of wreathen work shall thou make them; these chains were not made after the manner of circles or ringlets coupled together as chains usually are but of golden wires twisted together as a rope is twisted

and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches; to the ouches on the shoulder pieces of the ephod in which the onyx stones were set very probably to rings that were in these ouches.

 

Exodus 28:15  15 “You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold blue purple and scarlet thread and fine woven linen you shall make it.

   YLT  15`And thou hast made a breastplate of judgment work of a designer; according to the work of the ephod thou dost make it; of gold blue and purple and scarlet and twined linen thou dost make it;

And thou shall make the breastplate of judgment .... Called a "breastplate" because worn upon the breast of the high priest; and a breastplate "of judgment" because it was to put him in mind that he should do justice and judgment in the execution of his office and that he should have at heart the judgment of the people of Israel; and in difficult cases should ask it of God and faithfully declare it to them: it was with the twelve stones in it an emblem of the church and people of God borne upon the heart of Christ our great High Priest who are made righteous by him yea the righteousness of God in him and are called by his name the Lord our righteousness; the judgment or government of whom is committed to him and which he exercises by appointing laws and ordinances for them by constituting and qualifying persons to act under him to explain those laws and see them put in execution by vindicating and protecting them and by the open justification of them at the last day:

with cunning work after the work of the ephod thou shall make it; wrought with divers figures in a very curious manner:

of gold of blue and of purple and of scarlet and of fine twined linen shalt thou make it; a piece of stuff interwoven with threads of gold or golden wires and with threads of yarn of blue purple and scarlet colours and with threads of fine twined linen six times doubled; all which may signify the beautiful array of the saints with the several graces of the Spirit; and especially their being clothed with fine linen called the righteousness of the saints; that raiment of needlework and clothing of wrought gold the righteousness of Christ consisting of his obedience sufferings and death fitly expressed by these various colours.

 

Exodus 28:16  16 It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length and a span shall be its width.

   YLT  16it is square doubled a span its length and a span its breadth.

Four square it shall be being doubled .... That is when it was doubled; for the length of it according to MaimonidesF3Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 6. was a cubit which is two spans and so when it was doubled was but one and its length and breadth being alike as follows:

a span shall be the length thereof and a span shall be the breadth thereof; a square which is the measure the form of the new Jerusalem the church of Christ Revelation 21:16 and may denote the perfection firmness and immovableness of it Psalm 125:1. Some have thought that this breastplate was doubled in order to have something enclosed in it: some imagine that within this fold were put the Urim and Thummim which they suppose to be two words engraved on a stone and different from the twelve stones in it; others that the name of Jehovah was written and put there as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi on Exodus 28:30 and other Jewish writers and others fancy some little images were put within these folds the name with the teraphim and supposed to be the Urim and Thummim; but if these were hid in the folds they could not be seen when consulted; it is most probable there is nothing put within the double which was not done for any such use; but most likely that it might be strong to bear the weight of the precious stones put in ouches of gold upon it.

 

Exodus 28:17  17 And you shall put settings of stones in it four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius a topaz and an emerald; this shall be the first row;

   YLT  17`And thou hast set in it settings of stone four rows of stone; a row of sardius topaz and carbuncle [is] the first row;

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones .... Or "fill in it fillings of stones"F4ומלאת בו מלאת אבן "et implebis in eo plenitudinem lapidis" Montanus; "vel eum impletione lapidis" Pagninus; "implebis in eo impletione lapidis" Drusius. ; which shows that there were in it ouches or sockets of gold the hollows of which were to be filled up with precious stones:

even four rows of stones; making a four square and so filling up the measure of the breastplate:

the first row shall be a sardius a topaz and a carbuncle; about these stones and those that follow there is a great variety of interpretations of them both among Jews and Christians; and they seem to be little known: our translators upon the whole seem to be as right as any in giving the names of them; the first of these the "sardius" is a red stone of a blood colour as the "cornelian" or "ruby" and which some have thought is here meant and has its name either from the place where it has been found Sardis or Sardinia; or rather from its red colour; for "sered" signifies red in Ezekiel 28:13 as BrauniusF5De Vestitu Sacerd. Heb. l. 2. c. 8. sect. 10. p. 639. has observed from Kimchi; and so Odem which is the word here used signifies and undoubtedly intends a stone of such a colour; and it is highly probable that this is the Demium of PlinyF6Nat. Hist. l. 37. c. 7. which is one of the three kinds of sardius in India; and the red is so called from its redness as the same Braunius observes. The second stone the "topaz" had its name according to PlinyF7Ibid. l. 6. c. 29. from an island in Arabia in the Red sea called Topazos; and the best topaz is the topaz of Cush or Arabia as in Job 28:19. The topaz of the ancients was of a green colour; and so the three Targums call this stone Jarken or Jarketha which signifies green; hence some have taken this to be the emerald which is of a fine green colour: the third stone is the "carbuncle" as we render it; whatever stone is meant it must be a bright and glittering one like lightning as the word signifies; wherefore some have taken it to be the emerald so the Septuagint and BrauniusF8Ut supra (De Vestitu Sacerd. Heb. l. 2.) c. 10. sect. 4. p. 653. ; it being a very radiant and glittering stone of a grass green and very refreshing to the sight; but DanaeusF9Apud De Dieu in loc. says that the carbuncle is that species of the ruby which of all is most beautiful and excellent and darts out light like lightning to those that look at it at a distance and shines in the middle of the night and darkness so that it enlightens places near it as if it were a sun:

this shall be the first row; now upon these three stones were engraven the names of Reuben Simeon and Levi as both the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem agree.

 

Exodus 28:18  18 the second row shall be a turquoise a sapphire and a diamond;

   YLT  18and the second row [is] emerald sapphire and diamond;

And the second row shall be an emerald a sapphire and a diamond. The first of these stones is by both the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan rendered an "emerald" as by us; and which is described by PlinyF11Ut supra (Nat. Hist. l. 37.) c. 5. as of a green colour exceeding delightful and pleasant and to which he gives the third place among precious stones; though by many the stone here called Nophec is thought to be the carbuncle and is so rendered by the Septuagint; the carbuncle of the ancients is no other than what we call the "ruby"; and which BrauniusF12Ut supra (De Vestitu Sacerd. Heb. l. 2.) c. 11. sect. 2 7. p. 661 667. thinks is here meant and so Abarbinel which is just making an exchange of the last stone of the first row for this; and De Dieu observes that if any chooses to render the preceding stone an emerald as Braunius does he must render this a carbuncle or ruby; and if he renders that a carbuncle then he must this for an emerald. The next stone is "the sapphire" of which one would think there could be no doubt it is the very Hebrew word itself that is here used; which RuaeusF13De Gemmis l. 2. c. 2. says is of a sky colour and sparkles with golden spots or specks with which agrees Job 28:6. The third stone of this row is the "diamond" or adamant; and that this stone is meant seems clear from its name Jahalom which comes from a word which signifies to break; and from hence a hammer has its name because this stone pierces cuts and breaks other stones but cannot be broken itself. On these three stones were engraved according to the Jerusalem Targum the names of the three tribes of Judah Issachar and Zebulun; but more truly according to the Targum of Jonathan the names of the tribes of Judah Dan and Naphtali and so Jarchi; for the names here as on the onyx stones were according to the order of their birth.

 

Exodus 28:19  19 the third row a jacinth an agate and an amethyst;

   YLT  19and the third row [is] opal agate and amethyst;

And the third row a ligure an agate and an amethyst. The first of these stones the ligure or lyncurius is said to be so called from the congealed urine of the lynxF14Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 37. c. 3. but rather from the spots of that creature; for according to DanaeusF15Apud De Dieu in loc. it is the same stone with that called "stellina" from having many specks like stars spread about in it. BrauniusF16Ut supra (De Vestitu Sacerd. Heb. l. 2.) c. 14. sect. 9. p. 699. takes the "jacinth" stone to be here meant and so does Ainsworth; see Revelation 21:20 the second stone the agate is well known; and though now of little account was formerly in great esteem as PlinyF17Nat. Hist. l. 37. c. 10. asserts and therefore may well be thought to have a place among these stones. Pyrrhus king of Epirus had a very famous one in which not by art but by nature were seen the nine Muses and Apollo holding an harp; the word for it here is "shebo" which comes from a word which signifies to captivate; because as De Dieu observes this stone is easily captivated under the hand of the artificer; there being no stone which so easily admits of engravings as this. The last of this row is the "amethyst"; which stone has its name either from its being of the colour of wine; or as others from its being a preservative from drunkenness: the Hebrew word "achlamah" seems to come from a word which signifies to dream; and this stone is supposed to cause persons to dream as Aben Ezra from one of their wise men relates. On these three stones according to the Jerusalem Targum were written the names of the tribes of Dan Naphtali and Gad; but according to the Targum of Jonathan Gad Asher and Issachar which is much better for a reason before given.

 

Exodus 28:20  20 and the fourth row a beryl an onyx and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings.

   YLT  20and the fourth row [is] beryl and onyx and jasper; embroidered with gold are they in their settings

And the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper .... Whatever stone is meant by the first in this row it must be of a sea green colour; for "tarshish" the word used signifies the sea; and so the beryl as PlinyF18Nat. Hist. l. 37. c. 5. says imitates the greenness of the pure sea. BrauniusF19Ut supra (De Vestitu Sacerd Heb. l. 2.) c. 17. sect. 7. p. 720. takes it to be the chrysolite that is meant; and so does Ainsworth; and it is so rendered by the Septuagint; and this according to RuaeusF20De Gemmis l. 2. c. 7. is of a colour like the greenness of the sea: the "onyx" has its name from its being of the colour of a man's nail as observed before; but here "shoham" is thought by BrauniusF21Ut supra (De Vestitu Sacerd Heb. l. 2.) c. 18. sect. 4. p. 730. to be the "sardonyx" following Josephus Jerom and the Vulgate Latin version which is a compound of the sardian and onyx stones: the last is undoubtedly rightly rendered the jasper for the Hebrew word is "jaspeh": this stone is sometimes variegated with spots like a panther and therefore is called by Onkelos "pantere"; the most valuable is the green spotted with red or purple:

they shall be set in gold in their enclosings; or be set and enclosed in ouches or sockets of gold as the two onyx stones upon the shoulder pieces of the ephod: there were twelve of these ouches or sockets which might be made out of one piece of gold into which the twelve above stones were put. These stones were no doubt brought out of Egypt by the children of Israel and were the gifts of their princes.

 

Exodus 28:21  21 And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel twelve according to their names like the engravings of a signet each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.

   YLT  21and the stones are according to the names of the sons of Israel twelve according to their names openings of a signet each by his name are they for the twelve tribes.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel twelve according to their names .... And just so many are reckoned up in the preceding verses each of which had one or other of the names of the children of Israel engraved on them according to the order of their names in their birth. Some have thought that Levi's name was omitted but their reason for it seems not sufficient; for why might not he bear the name of his own tribe and represent that as well as the rest since the whole Israel of God is represented by his antitype?

like the engravings of a net everyone with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes; not like the impression of a seal on wax then the letters indeed would have been protuberant as some have thought; but these were like the engravings of a seal in which the letters or figures are cut within it: these twelve stones with the names on them represent the twelve tribes of Israel and they the whole spiritual Israel of God; and being precious stones show the excellency of the people of God of what value and in what esteem they are with God and Christ being their jewels and peculiar treasure; and their names being in them denote the special and particular knowledge God has of them their names being written in heaven in the book of life; and they are called by name by the Lord; and being engraved as a signet is an emblem of their being set as a seal on the arm and heart of Christ and of their being as dear and precious to him as a signet on a man's right hand; and being set in ouches and enclosures of gold express both the dignity and excellency and the careful preservation of them: these were set in rows as members of churches are everyone in his order rank and station 1 Corinthians 12:18.

 

Exodus 28:22  22 “You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end like braided cords of pure gold.

   YLT  22`And thou hast made on the breastplate wreathed chains work of thick bands of pure gold;

And thou shall make upon the breastplate chains at the ends .... One end of them to be put to the breastplate and the other end to the ouches on the shoulder pieces of the ephod by which the breastplate hung from thence: the Targum of Jonathan renders it chains of a certain determined size of length and thickness exactly alike; or terminable ones as it may be rendered not circular like a locket or chain of gold worn about the neck but that had ends to it: some interpret it chains made like ropes in the same manner as cables are twisted together; and such it is certain they were by what follows:

of wreathen work of pure gold; not of circles and ringlets of gold coupled together but of golden wires twisted together as ropes are.

 

Exodus 28:23  23 And you shall make two rings of gold for the breastplate and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

   YLT  23and thou hast made on the breastplate two rings of gold and hast put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate;

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold .... On the upper part of it above toward the two shoulder pieces of the ephod; these were to put one end of the chains into before mentioned:

and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate; the two upper ends or corners of it the right and left.

 

Exodus 28:24  24 Then you shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate;

   YLT  24and thou hast put the two thick bands of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastplate;

And thou shalt put two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings .... This expresses both how many chains were to be made which is not before said and the use of them or where they were to be put as well as the use of the rings:

which are on the ends of the breastplate; the two uppermost ends or corners of it.

 

Exodus 28:25  25 and the other two ends of the two braided chains you shall fasten to the two settings and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front.

   YLT  25and the two ends of the two thick bands thou dost put on the two embroidered things and thou hast put [them] on the shoulders of the ephod over-against its face.

And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches .... In which the two onyx stones were set on the shoulder pieces of the ephod and were as buttons to them; probably there were rings to those ouches into which these ends of the wreathen chains of gold reaching from the breastplate were put; or however by some means or other they were fastened to these ouches or sockets:

and put them in the shoulder pieces of the ephod before it; that is on the ouches upon them as before observed: into that part or side of the ouches which was to be the fore part of the ephod; so that the breastplate hung by these chains from the shoulder pieces of the ephod on the fore part of it upon the breast of the high priest.

 

Exodus 28:26  26 “You shall make two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breastplate on the edge of it which is on the inner side of the ephod.

   YLT  26`And thou hast made two rings of gold and hast set them on the two ends of the breastplate on its border which [is] over-against the ephod within;

And thou shall make two rings of gold .... Two other rings besides those before mentioned:

and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate; on the other two ends or corners of it:

in the border thereof which is in the side of the ephod inward: these were at the two lower ends of the breastplate towards the ephod on the inside.

 

Exodus 28:27  27 And two other rings of gold you shall make and put them on the two shoulder straps underneath the ephod toward its front right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod.

   YLT  27and thou hast made two rings of gold and hast put them on the two shoulders of the ephod beneath over-against its front over-against its joining above the girdle of the ephod

And two other rings of gold thou shalt make .... This is the third pair of rings ordered to be made the two other pair were for the four ends or corners of the breastplate but this pair was for the ephod:

and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod; one on the right and the other on the left:

underneath towards the fore part thereof; underneath the ephod yet towards the fore part of it; or rather on the fore part of it though so as the rings could not be seen:

over against the other coupling thereof; either so as to answer to the other coupling of the breastplate to the shoulder pieces of the ephod above; or to the rings at the ends of the breastplate below with which these were to be coupled with a lace of blue; and so the word "other" here supplied may be left out:

above the curious girdle of the ephod; just above that these rings in the ephod were to answer to the rings in the lower ends of the breastplate.

 

Exodus 28:28  28 They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod using a blue cord so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod.

   YLT  28and they bind the breastplate by its rings unto the rings of the ephod with a ribbon of blue to be above the girdle of the ephod and the breastplate is not loosed from the ephod.

And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof .... By the rings at the lower ends of it as it was by the rings at the upper ends of it to the shoulder pieces of the ephod; or "lift it up" so some interpret itF23R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed fol. 89. 2. as if it was said they shall lift up the breastplate to join it with the ephod that is above it:

unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue; this blue lace was put both into the rings of the breastplate and into the rings of the ephod and so being tied in a knot fastened them together as the shoulder pieces of the ephod and the breastplate were coupled above with wreathen chains of gold put into rings: now this was done:

that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod: that the breastplate might be above it or else the lace of blue:

and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod: but be kept tight and close to it by the wreathen chains above and by the knots of blue lace below; which may denote the conjunction of the prophetic and priestly offices in Christ; the former being signified by the breastplate of judgment in which the Urim and Thummim were and the latter by the ephod; or else the union of the saints to Christ the bond of which is everlasting love from which there can be no separation; this union can never be dissolved his people can never be loosed from him they are members of his body and one spirit with him.

 

Exodus 28:29  29 “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart when he goes into the holy place as a memorial before the Lord continually.

   YLT  29`And Aaron hath borne the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart in his going in unto the sanctuary for a memorial before Jehovah continually.

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart .... Their names being engraven on the stones and the stones put into the breastplate of judgment and this breastplate hanging down upon the breast and heart of Aaron he was a representative of the twelve tribes of Israel as Christ his antitype is the representative of the whole Israel of God; and who lie near the heart of Christ are set as a seal upon it are engraven on the palms of his hands and carried in his bosom and whom he always presents to his divine Father and are accepted in him: he represented them in eternity and in time; in his sufferings and death in his burial and resurrection from the dead when they were crucified buried and raised with him; and he represents them now in heaven where they sit together in heavenly places in him as it here follows in the type:

when he goeth in unto the holy place; to trim the lamps and offer incense and especially when he went into the most holy place once a year:

for a memorial before the Lord continually; for a memorial to himself to pray for them when he appeared before the Lord to put the Lord in remembrance of his covenant with them and promises to them; see Gill on Exodus 28:12 Isaiah 43:26 the Targum of Jonathan is "for a good memorial": not a memorial for evil but for good.

 

Exodus 28:30  30 And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim [b] and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.

   YLT  30`And thou hast put unto the breastplate of judgment the Lights and the Perfections and they have been on the heart of Aaron in his going in before Jehovah and Aaron hath borne the judgment of the sons of Israel on his heart before Jehovah continually.

And thou shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim .... What these interpreters are at a loss about both Jewish and Christian; some have confessed their ignorance of them have conjectured they were only these two words and put in the duplicature of the breastplate; that the name of Jehovah with other divine were put there and so called; and some have that they were little images the same with the teraphim the high priest carried in the folds of breastplate by which consultation was made; others have thought them to be a work purely divine of Jehovah's putting there; for my own part I am to follow JosephusF24Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5. who takes them to be the same with the twelve stones; and it is observable that where the stones are mentioned nothing is said of the Urim and Thummim and where the Urim and Thummim are observed no notice is taken of the stones see Exodus 39:10 the use of these was to have the names of the children of Israel engraven upon them and so be borne on the heart of Aaron when he went into the holy place as is here said of the Urim and Thummim; and that consultation might be made by them in matters of moment and difficulty as appears from various other passages of the Scripture Numbers 27:21 and but in what manner this was done and in what way the answer was given and understood are not easily accounted for: some say by the brightness or protuberance of the letters on the stones; others by the shining and splendour of the stones which is more probable; others by an inward impression on the mind of the priest; and others by an articulate voice which seems best of all: the Septuagint render these two words "manifestation and truth"; and AelianusF25Var. Hist. l. 14. c. 34. reports that the chief and oldest among the Egyptian priests and judges wore an image of a sapphire stone about his neck which they called "truth": and according to Diodorus SiculusF26Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 68. this image was of more precious stones than one; for he says the president in the Egyptian courts of judicature had on his neck hanging on a golden chain an image of precious stones which they called truth: but there is no reason to believe that this custom was as ancient as the times of the Israelites in Egypt or that they borrowed this from them; but rather that the Egyptians did this in imitation of what the high priest among the Jews wore which they might learn from the Jews in Solomon's time or in later ages; the words Urim and Thummim signify "lights and perfections" agreeably to which is the paraphrase of Jonathan;"Urim which enlighten their words and manifest the hidden things of the house of Israel and Thummim which perfect their works by the high priest who seeks instruction from the Lord by them:'they were typical of Christ in whom all lights and perfections are; all light is in him; the light of nature and reason is from him as the Creator and is given to every man that comes into the world; the light of grace is with him and communicated to all his people at conversion and in all the after degrees and supplies of it; all light and knowledge in divine things is from him the knowledge of God of himself and of the Gospel and the truths of it; and the light of glory will be from him: all the perfections of deity the whole fulness of the Godhead all human perfections which make him as man in all things like unto us but far exceeding us; as Mediator all the blessings and promises of the covenant are in him; all the gifts of the Spirit and a fulness of all grace; there are in him perfect righteousness perfect holiness all light life strength wisdom joy and comfortF1See a Discourse of mine called Levi's Urim and Thummim found with Christ &c. published in 1725. : and these stones or Urim and Thummim may be an emblem also of the saints being made light and perfect righteousness in Christ from whom they have both:

and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord; either into the holy or into the most holy place just as the names of the children of Israel on the stones are said to be; see Gill on Exodus 28:29

and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually; not only bear their names and remember their cases make intercession for them and represent their persons in all which he was a type of Christ but bear their judgment have that at heart and administer it unto them; and in all doubtful and difficult cases inquire of God what was fit and right to do for them or for them to do: so Christ has the government of his people both at heart and in his hands; all judgment is committed to him and he is the righteousness of his people now and will be their Judge hereafter.

 

Exodus 28:31  31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

   YLT  31`And thou hast made the upper robe of the ephod completely of blue

And thou shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. This was a different garment from the ephod was longer than that and was under it and of different materials: that was made of gold blue purple scarlet and fine linen; this only of linen and wholly of a blue colour without any curious figures upon it as were on that: in Exodus 39:22 it is said to be of woven work; it was woven from top to bottom and had no seam in it: so Josephus saysF2Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 4. "the coat did not consist of two parts nor was it sewed upon the shoulder nor on the side but was one long piece of woven work;'and such was the seamless coat our Lord Jesus Christ wore literally understood John 19:23 and both were an emblem of his perfect righteousness which has nothing of the works of men joined to it to justify them before God and make them acceptable to him: for this robe signifies the robe of Christ's righteousness the best robe; it has its name from a word which signifies prevarication or sin because it covers the sins of God's people; the matter of it was linen and so fitly points at the fine linen that is the righteousness of the saints and being blue or sky coloured may denote heaven and happiness which that entitles to see Matthew 5:20 the Septuagint version calls it a garment down to the feet using the same word as in Revelation 1:13 and fitly agrees with that righteousness with which all Christ's members are covered and justified Isaiah 45:24.

 

Exodus 28:32  32 There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening like the opening in a coat of mail so that it does not tear.

   YLT  32and the opening for its head hath been in its midst a border is to its opening round about work of a weaver as the opening of a habergeon there is to it; it is not rent.

And there shall be a hole in the top of it in the midst thereof .... At the neck of it for the high priest to put his head through when he put it on:

it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it; a large hem or selvage perhaps of the same kind of woven stuff the robe itself was made of and this was done to strengthen it:

as it were the hole of an habergeon; a corslet or coat of mail:

that it be not rent; when the high priest put it on; or through the weight of the ephod and the ouches of gold on the shoulder pieces of it and the breastplate hanging down from thence; this may denote the strength and duration of Christ's righteousness which is an everlasting one.

 

Exodus 28:33  33 And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue purple and scarlet all around its hem and bells of gold between them all around:

   YLT  33`And thou hast made on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet on its hem round about and bells of gold in their midst round about;

And beneath upon the hem of it .... Or the skirts of it at the bottom of the robe:

thou shalt make pomegranates of blue and of purple and of scarlet round about the hem thereof; these were figures made of blue purple and scarlet yarn in the form of pomegranates: Jarchi says they were round and hollow and made like hens' eggs about the size of them and of an oval form:

and bells of gold between them round about; according to some the bells were put into the pomegranates which is supposed to be the meaning of the phrase "between them" or "in the midst of them"; and so Aben Ezra observes that some say the bells did not appear they were only in the midst of the pomegranates and there they caused their sound to be heard: but according to our version and others the bells were placed between the pomegranates between every pomegranate and pomegranate there was a golden bell; and this seems to be plainly the sense of the following verse.

 

Exodus 28:34  34 a golden bell and a pomegranate a golden bell and a pomegranate upon the hem of the robe all around.

   YLT  34a bell of gold and a pomegranate a bell of gold and a pomegranate [are] on the hems of the upper robe round about.

A golden bell and a pomegranate a golden bell and a pomegranate .... First a golden bell and then a pomegranate then a bell and then a pomegranate again and so on:

upon the hem of the robe round about; all round the hem or skirts of the robe were they placed in this manner: the Targum of Jonathan says the sum or number of them were seventy one; but MaimonidesF3Hilchot Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 4. says there were seventy two thirty six in each skirt; and so says R. Levi Ben Gersom; but Clemens of AlexandriaF4Stromat. l. 5. p. 564. has increased the number to three hundred and sixty six according to the days of the year and thinks they signified the acceptable year of the Lord proclaiming and resounding the great appearance of the Saviour: "golden bells" may denote either the intercession of Christ in heaven which if not vocal as on earth has a speech or sound in it which is understood: his blood righteousness and sacrifice call aloud for peace and pardon and it is a sound that is always heard with delight; the matter of them being gold may denote the preciousness and excellency of Christ's intercession and the duration of it; and being on the hem of the robe shows that Christ's righteousness is that on which his intercession depends and from whence it has its efficacy: or else these bells may be an emblem of the Gospel as preached by Christ himself and by his apostles and ministers compared to "bells" for sound; the sound of the Gospel being a sound of love grace mercy peace pardon righteousness life and salvation; a joyful sound like that of the jubilee an even and certain one different from that of the law and exceeding musical and delightful; and to "golden" bells for the preciousness of it and its truths and for its duration; and being on the hem of the robe may signify that in the Gospel the righteousness of Christ is revealed and pointed at and that faith in this righteousness comes hereby; "the pomegranates" on Aaron might be an emblem of his priesthood and of the ceremonial law and of the good things they were shadows and types of; and of Christ himself and of the virtue odour and fragrancy of his sufferings sacrifice and intercession; and also of the church called an orchard of pomegranates Song of Solomon 4:13 consisting of various members as the pomegranate of various grains; the juice of which the blood of Christ may resemble in which those members swim and are washed; and who are of a grateful odour to God and are surrounded by his power and love; and their hanging upon the hem of the robe may signify the acceptableness of them through the righteousness sacrifice and mediation of Christ and the fruits of good works which both the righteousness of Christ and the Gospel produce; and particularly the bells and pomegranates may signify that sound doctrine and a savoury life and conversation should go together in the priests of the Lord in the ministers of his word.

 

Exodus 28:35  35 And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord and when he comes out that he may not die.

   YLT  35`And it hath been on Aaron to minister in and its sound hath been heard in his coming in unto the sanctuary before Jehovah and in his going out and he doth not die.

And it shall be upon Aaron to minister .... That is the robe before described shall be put upon him that he might minister in the priest's office for without this as well as the other garments he might not:

and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord and when he cometh out; by means of which the priests would have notice that they might depart and he be alone in his ministrations; or rather that the people might know his going out and coming in and so give themselves up to prayer while he was offering incense see Luke 1:9 though the instance of Zacharias is not of an high priest but of a common priest:

that he die not the Targum of Jonathan adds with flaming fire. This is added to make him and all succeeding priests careful that this robe nor any other of the priestly garments were wanting when they ministered before the Lord; should any be wanting it would be highly resented by the Lord: and such an one would be in danger of being cut off by death from the immediate hand of God as Nadab and Abihu were for offering strange fire to the Lord; for according to the Jewish writersF5Maimon. Cele Hamikdash c. 10. sect. 4 5. a priest not rightly attired either with more or fewer garments than he should have his service was illegal and he was as a stranger and his service strange service unacceptable to God yea provoking to him; and so Jarchi on the text says if he wanted one of these garments he was guilty of death by the hand of heaven the immediate hand of God.

 

Exodus 28:36  36 “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

   YLT  36`And thou hast made a flower of pure gold and hast opened on it -- openings of a signet -- `Holy to Jehovah;'

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold .... It was as Jarchi says two fingers broad and reached from ear to ear and so MaimonidesF6Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 1. Vid. T. Bab. Sabbat fol. 63. 2. & Succah fol. 5. 1. ; it is sometimes called the holy crown and the plate of the holy crown Exodus 29:6 this was a priestly crown for priests were very honourable and dignified persons especially the high priest among the Jews; and even among the Gentiles it was common for their kings to be priests: and though this crown may denote the kingly power of Christ yet as residing in him who is a priest for he is a priest on his throne Zechariah 6:13 and so may signify the conjunction of the kingly and priestly offices in Christ who has a crown of pure gold given him by his Father and put upon him and by his people Psalm 21:4 and being of pure gold holy and on the forehead as this plate was may signify the purity and holiness of Christ's kingdom and office the glory visibility and perpetuity of it:

and grave upon it like the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD; which words were written either in two lines or in one. If in two MaimonidesF7Cele Hamikdash c. 9. sect. 1. Vid. T. Bab Sabbat fol. 63. 2. & Succah fol. 5. 1. says the word "holiness" was above and to "the Lord" below: but it might be written in one line and that seems most likely: he also says the letters were protuberant or stood out; but then they would not be graved like the engravings of a signet in which the letters or figures are engraved within but like the impressions of a signet made on wax or other things: in this the high priest was a type of Christ who is holy in himself in his person in both his natures divine and human in his offices of prophet priest and King; and he is holiness itself the most holy essentially infinitely and perfectly so as angels and men are not and the source and spring of holiness to others: and he is holiness to the Lord for his people; he is so representatively; as their covenant head he has all grace in his hands for them and they have it in him; this is sanctification in Christ and is by virtue of union to him and is complete and perfect and the cause of holiness in his people; and he is so by imputation. The holiness of his human nature was not a mere qualification for his office or only exemplary to us but is with his obedience and sufferings imputed to us for justification. Moreover Christ has by his blood sanctified his people or made atonement for them and procured the cleansing of them from their sins or the expiation of them; and he is also the efficient cause of their internal holiness by his Spirit without which there is no seeing God 1 Corinthians 6:11.

 

Exodus 28:37  37 And you shall put it on a blue cord that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.

   YLT  37and thou hast put it on a blue ribbon and it hath been on the mitre -- over-against the front of the mitre it is;

And thou shalt put it on a blue lace .... The plate of gold:

that it may be upon the mitre; either the plate or the lace; the lace is the nearest antecedent but it seems by what follows it should be the plate:

upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be; the plate of gold; the mitre was of linen a wrap of linen about the head and was like a turban on it in the top of it; it did not come down low upon the forehead but left that bare for this plate of gold to be put upon it. Jarchi seems to understand all this of the lace by comparing it with the following verse and Exodus 39:31 as if the plate was represented as in the lace and the lace upon the plate and upon the mitre above; all which he thinks is to be reconciled by observing that the plate had three holes and in every hole was a blue lace and each lace was divided into two parts so that there were six in all two laces at each end of the plate and two in the middle by which they were fastened upon the top of the mitre by which it was kept from falling off; and of this middle lace he thinks the text is to be understood. The Targum of Jonathan observes that this plate was put on a blue lace to make atonement for the impudent.

 

Exodus 28:38  38 So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord.

   YLT  38and it hath been on the forehead of Aaron and Aaron hath borne the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel do hallow even all their holy gifts; and it hath been on his forehead continually for a pleasing thing for them before Jehovah.

And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead .... That is the plate of gold with the inscription on it holiness to the Lord and so was very visible and legible. The Targum of Jonathan adds from temple to temple that is from the furthermost end of the one to the furthermost end of the other the same as from ear to ear; see Gill on Exodus 28:36 the use of it follows:

that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; this supposes that the sacrifices of the children of Israel which they brought to the priests to offer for them or the gifts they devoted to sacred use might be attended with sin and blame either in the matter of their offerings and gifts or in the manner in which they brought them; and which through the high priest having this plate of gold with the above inscription on it were expiated; they were bore away from them and were not placed to their account but they were cleared and discharged of them: and so it is that there is sin in the best performances of the saints; there is not a just man that does good but he sins in doing that good; the best righteousness of men is imperfect and attended with sin; and this cannot be borne or taken away by themselves; if God should mark such sins as these they could not stand before him; now Christ their High Priest bears and takes away these along with all others which are laid upon him and borne by him:

and it shall be always upon his forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord; not that he had always this plate of gold on his forehead only in time of service; but then it was continually for the acceptance of them though it was not upon his forehead as Jarchi observes; at MaimonidesF8Moreh Nevochim par. 3. c. 47. says there was great necessity that the high priest should be always in the sanctuary as it is said "it shall be always upon his forehead" and therefore must be always there for he might not wear it outside of it. This with respect to the antitype may signify that the persons and services of the people of God are accepted with him through the holiness and righteousness of Christ who is always in the presence of the Lord ever appears in heaven for them and is the Lamb of God to whose person blood righteousness and sacrifice they are directed to look for the removal of their sins of every sort.

 

Exodus 28:39  39 “You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread you shall make the turban of fine linen and you shall make the sash of woven work.

   YLT  39`And thou hast embroidered the coat of linen and hast made a mitre of linen and a girdle thou dost make -- work of an embroiderer.

And thou shall embroider the coat of fine linen .... Which was a distinct garment from the ephod and from the robe of the ephod and was the innermost of all; it was made of fine linen curiously wrought in the weaving of it: according to some it was full of a sort of eyelet holes; but as the word is that from whence comes that for ouches Exodus 28:6. Jarchi thinks it was full of holes like those ouches or sockets in which the stones were set; and so this coat was decked and adorned with gems and precious stones stuck in those holes or ouches: but rather it was figured with such little cornered holes as are in the stomach of animals that chew the cud called the "reticulum"; being in the form of network as MaimonidesF9Cele Hamikdash c. 8. sect. 16. observes and which is approved by BrauniusF11De Vestitu Sacerdot. Heb. l. 1. c. 17. p. 379 380. : this was an emblem of the righteousness of Christ comparable to fine linen richly embroidered decked and adorned with jewels and curiously wrought see Revelation 19:8

and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen: which was a wrap of linen sixteen cubits long as MaimonidesF12Ut supra (Cele Hamikdash) c. 8. sect. 19. says both for the high priest and for common priests which only differed in the manner of wrapping them; that for the high priest was wrapped fold upon fold as a roller for a plaster and so the mitre was flat upon the head and was like a turban and did not rise up into a point; but those of the common priests were so wrapped as that they arose up like a night cap or a high crowned hat. The mitre hat or cap though a token of honour yet also of servitude; and may denote that the people of the Jews were in a state of servitude and point at the obscurity and darkness of that dispensation; they not clearly discerning divine mysteries and wanting boldness and freedom to look up to God; or it may denote that the priests under the law were servants and that Christ our great High Priest should appear in the form of one; and may also point at the intenseness of the mind in them and him on business being deaf to everything else. The Targum of Jonathan says the coat of fine linen was to atone for the shedding of innocent blood and the mitre to atone for those who have elated thoughts are puffed up with pride and vain conceit:

and thou shall make the girdle of needlework; to gird about the embroidered coat which JosephusF13Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 2. says was four fingers broad; but according to MaimonidesF14Ut supra. (Cele Hamikdash c. 8. sect. 19.) it was about three fingers broad and thirty two cubits long which they wound about and about; and though we translate it "needlework" it should rather be the "work of the embroiderer" as Ainsworth renders it: and this was not wrought by the needle but in weaving; for as MaimonidesF15lbid. observes "they did not make any of the priests' garments with needlework but the work of the weaver according to Exodus 39:27.'This girdle may denote the strength readiness faithfulness and integrity of Christ in the performance of his priestly office; see Isaiah 11:5.

 

Exodus 28:40  40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them for glory and beauty.

   YLT  40`And for the sons of Aaron thou dost make coats and thou hast made for them girdles yea bonnets thou dost make for them for honour and for beauty;

And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats .... Of fine linen of woven work as in Exodus 39:27 these were different from the broidered coat of the high priest and the blue robe of the ephod:

and thou shall make for them girdles; linen ones to gird up their linen coats which were long that they might the more expeditiously perform their service; and which is an instruction to all the priests of the Lord true believers in Christ to be ready forward and diligent in the work of the Lord; and especially to ministers of the word who as their doctrines and lives ought to be pure signified by the priest's linen garment so they should be girt about with the girdle of truth and ready upon all occasions to publish and defend it and to do their work with cheerfulness and faithfulness:

and bonnets shall thou make for them: these were coverings for the head and of the same kind with the mitre of the high priest and of the same length but differed from that in the manner of wrapping the linen of which they were made; see Gill on Exodus 28:39 and all these were to be made

for glory and beauty: to beautify and adorn them to make them look like persons of some note and figure and that they might be respectable among men and typical as they all were of our great and glorious High Priest the Son of God.

 

Exodus 28:41  41 So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them consecrate them and sanctify them that they may minister to Me as priests.

   YLT  41and thou hast clothed Aaron thy brother with them and his sons with him and hast anointed them and hast consecrated their hand and hast sanctified them and they have been priests to Me.

And thou shall put them on Aaron thy brother and his sons with him .... And this putting on of their garments by Moses under the authority of God was a solemn investiture of them with the priestly office also; for from henceforward they had a right to exercise it having those garments on without which they were never to officiate:

and shall anoint them; with the anointing oil of which afterwards a particular account is given and how to be made and for what use Exodus 30:22 typical of the holy graces of the Spirit of God:

and consecrate them; the consecration of them was by investing them with their garments and by anointing them with oil; for this phrase does not intend the whole of their consecration only another branch of it and may be literally rendered "fill their hand"F16ומלאת את ידם "et implebis manum eorum" Montanus Vatablus Tigurine version Fagius Piscator. ; that is with sacrifices to be offered up by them see Exodus 29:1.

and sanctify them; by all this set them apart and devote them to the sacred office of priesthood:

that they may minister unto me in the priest's office; by offering sacrifices for the people burning incense and doing other things relative to the office.

 

Exodus 28:42  42 And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.

   YLT  42`And make thou for them linen trousers to cover the naked flesh: they are from the loins even unto the thighs;

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness .... Or "the flesh of nakedness"F17בשר ערוה "carnem nuditatis" Montanus Vatablus Drusius; "carnem nudam" Junius & Tremellius; "carnem verendorum" Tigurine version; "carnem pudendorum" Piscator. that part of the body which ought not to be naked and exposed to view and which when it is causes shame and ridicule; what part is designed is easily gathered from the next clause; great care was taken in the service of God's house to preserve decency prevent immodesty and to guard against laughter and levity and the like care should be always taken; see Gill on Exodus 28:2

from the loins even unto the thigh they shall reach; they were to reach above the navel near the heart and to the end of the thigh which is the knee as Maimonides saysF18Cele Hamikdash c. 8. sect. 18. ; who also observes that they had strings but had no opening before or behind but were drawn up round like a purse; they were a sort of drawers and somewhat like our sailors' trousers.

 

Exodus 28:43  43 They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.

   YLT  43and they have been on Aaron and on his sons in their going in unto the tent of meeting or in their drawing nigh unto the altar to minister in the sanctuary and they do not bear iniquity nor have they died; a statute age-during to him and to his seed after him.

And they shall be upon Aaron and upon his sons .... Not the linen breeches only but all the other garments:

when they come into the tabernacle of the congregation; even into that part of it where the people assembled the court of the tabernacle and where stood the altar of burnt offering on which they offered the sacrifices of the people but never without the priestly garments on:

or when they came near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; at the altar of incense which stood there; or when they came to trim the lamps of the candlestick and set the shewbread on the table and take away the old which candlestick and shewbread table were both in the holy place:

that they bear not iniquity and die; be guilty of sin in not having their priestly garments on in time of service and so bear the punishment of it and die for it; the Targum of Jonathan adds with flaming fire with fire from heaven such as Nadab and Abihu were afterwards consumed with; an high priest that had not the eight garments on or a common priest that had not his four garments his service was illegal and rejected and he was guilty of death by the hand of heaven as MaimonidesF19Cele Hamikdash c. 10. sect. 4 5. says; that is he was deserving of immediate death from the hand of God and might expect it:

it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him; as long as the Aaronic priesthood continued until Christ should arise made an high priest not after the order of Aaron but after the order of Melchizedek and should put an end to the priesthood of the former by answering and fulfilling all the types and shadows of it; this respects all that is said in this chapter concerning the vestments of the priests one and another.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

a.    Exodus 28:4 That is an ornamented vest

b.    Exodus 28:30 Literally the Lights and the Perfections (compare Leviticus 8:8)