32 And there shall be an hole H6310 in the top H7218 of it, in the midst H8432 thereof: it shall have a binding H8193 of woven H707 work H4639 round about H5439 the hole H6310 of it, as it were the hole H6310 of an habergeon, H8473 that it be not rent. H7167
Then G3767 the soldiers, G4757 when G3753 they had crucified G4717 Jesus, G2424 took G2983 his G846 garments, G2440 and G2532 made G4160 four G5064 parts, G3313 to every G1538 soldier G4757 a part; G3313 and also G2532 his coat: G5509 now G1161 the coat G5509 was G2258 without seam, G729 woven G5307 from G1537 the top G509 throughout. G1223 G3650 They said G2036 therefore G3767 among G4314 themselves, G240 Let us G4977 not G3361 rend G4977 it, G846 but G235 cast lots G2975 for G4012 it, G846 whose G5101 it shall be: G2071 that G2443 the scripture G1124 might be fulfilled, G4137 which G3588 saith, G3004 They parted G1266 my G3450 raiment G2440 among them, G1438 and G2532 for G1909 my G3450 vesture G2441 they did cast G906 lots. G2819 These things G5023 G3303 therefore G3767 the soldiers G4757 did. G4160
Endeavouring G4704 to keep G5083 the unity G1775 of the Spirit G4151 in G1722 the bond G4886 of peace. G1515 There is one G1520 body, G4983 and G2532 one G1520 Spirit, G4151 even as G2531 G2532 ye are called G2564 in G1722 one G3391 hope G1680 of your G5216 calling; G2821 One G1520 Lord, G2962 one G1520 faith, G4102 one G3391 baptism, G908 One G1520 God G2316 and G2532 Father G3962 of all, G3956 who G3588 is above G1909 all, G3956 and G2532 through G1223 all, G3956 and G2532 in G1722 you G5213 all. G3956 But G1161 unto every G1538 one G1520 of us G2257 is given G1325 grace G5485 according to G2596 the measure G3358 of the gift G1431 of Christ. G5547 Wherefore G1352 he saith, G3004 When he ascended G305 up G1519 on high, G5311 he led captivity G162 captive, G161 and G2532 gave G1325 gifts G1390 unto men. G444 (Now G1161 that he ascended, G305 what G5101 is it G2076 but G1508 that G3754 he G2597 also G2532 descended G2597 first G4412 into G1519 the lower G2737 parts G3313 of the earth? G1093 He G846 that descended G2597 is G2076 the same also G2532 that ascended up G305 far above G5231 all G3956 heavens, G3772 that G2443 he might fill G4137 all things.) G3956 And G2532 he G846 gave G1325 some, G3303 apostles; G652 and G1161 some, prophets; G4396 and G1161 some, evangelists; G2099 and G1161 some, pastors G4166 and G2532 teachers; G1320 For G4314 the perfecting G2677 of the saints, G40 for G1519 the work G2041 of the ministry, G1248 for G1519 the edifying G3619 of the body G4983 of Christ: G5547 Till G3360 we all G3956 come G2658 in G1519 the unity G1775 of the faith, G4102 and G2532 of the knowledge G1922 of the Son G5207 of God, G2316 unto G1519 a perfect G5046 man, G435 unto G1519 the measure G3358 of the stature G2244 of the fulness G4138 of Christ: G5547 That G2443 we henceforth be G5600 no more G3371 children, G3516 tossed to and fro, G2831 and G2532 carried about with G4064 every G3956 wind G417 of doctrine, G1319 by G1722 the sleight G2940 of men, G444 and cunning craftiness, G1722 G3834 whereby G4314 they lie in wait G3180 to deceive; G4106 But G1161 speaking the truth G226 in G1722 love, G26 may grow up G837 into G1519 him G846 in all things, G3956 which G3739 is G2076 the head, G2776 even Christ: G5547 From G1537 whom G3739 the whole G3956 body G4983 fitly joined together G4883 and G2532 compacted G4822 by G1223 that which every G3956 joint G860 supplieth, G2024 according G2596 to the effectual working G1753 in G1722 the measure G3358 of every G1538 part, G1520 G3313 maketh G4160 increase G838 of the body G4983 unto G1519 the edifying G3619 of itself G1438 in G1722 love. G26
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 28
Commentary on Exodus 28 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 28
Ex 28:1-43. Appointment to the Priesthood.
1. take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him—Moses had hitherto discharged the priestly functions (Ps 99:6), and he evinced the piety as well as humility of his character, in readily complying with the command to invest his brother with the sacred office, though it involved the perpetual exclusion of his own family. The appointment was a special act of God's sovereignty, so that there could be no ground for popular umbrage by the selection of Aaron's family, with whom the office was inalienably established and continued in unbroken succession till the introduction of the Christian era.
2-5. holy garments—No inherent holiness belonged either to the material or the workmanship. But they are called "holy" simply because they were not worn on ordinary occasions, but assumed in the discharge of the sacred functions (Eze 44:19).
for glory and for beauty—It was a grand and sumptuous attire. In material, elaborate embroidery, and color, it had an imposing splendor. The tabernacle being adapted to the infantine aid of the church, it was right and necessary that the priests' garments should be of such superb and dazzling appearance, that the people might be inspired with a due respect for the ministers as well as the rites of religion. But they had also a further meaning; for being all made of linen, they were symbolical of the truth, purity, and other qualities in Christ that rendered Him such a high priest as became us.
6-14. ephod—It was a very gorgeous robe made of byssus, curiously embroidered, and dyed with variegated colors, and further enriched with golden tissue, the threads of gold being either originally interwoven or afterwards inserted by the embroiderer. It was short—reaching from the breast to a little below the loins—and though destitute of sleeves, retained its position by the support of straps thrown over each shoulder. These straps or braces, connecting the one with the back, the other with the front piece of which the tunic was composed, were united on the shoulder by two onyx stones, serving as buttons, and on which the names of the twelve tribes were engraved, and set in golden encasements. The symbolical design of this was, that the high priest, who bore the names along with him in all his ministrations before the Lord, might be kept in remembrance of his duty to plead their cause, and supplicate the accomplishment of the divine promises in their favor. The ephod was fastened by a girdle of the same costly materials, that is, dyed, embroidered, and wrought with threads of gold. It was about a handbreadth wide and wound twice round the upper part of the waist; it fastened in front, the ends hanging down at great length (Re 1:13).
15-29. thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work—a very splendid and richly embroidered piece of brocade, a span square, and doubled, to enable it the better to bear the weight of the precious stones in it. There were twelve different stones, containing each the name of a tribe, and arranged in four rows, three in each. The Israelites had acquired a knowledge of the lapidary's art in Egypt, and the amount of their skill in cutting, polishing, and setting precious stones, may be judged of by the diamond forming one of the engraved ornaments on this breastplate. A ring was attached to each corner, through which the golden chains were passed to fasten this brilliant piece of jewelry at the top and bottom tightly on the breast of the ephod.
30. thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and Thummim—The words signify "lights" and "perfections"; and nothing more is meant than the precious stones of the breastplate already described (compare Ex 39:8-21; Le 8:8). They received the name because the bearing of them qualified the high priest to consult the divine oracle on all public or national emergencies, by going into the holy place—standing close before the veil and putting his hand upon the Urim and Thummim, he conveyed a petition from the people and asked counsel of God, who, as the Sovereign of Israel, gave response from the midst of His glory. Little, however, is known about them. But it may be remarked that Egyptian judges wore on the breast of their official robes a representation of Justice, and the high priest in Israel long officiated also as a judge; so that some think the Urim and Thummim had a reference to his judicial functions.
31-33. the robe of the ephod all of blue—It was the middle garment, under the ephod and above the coat. It had a hole through which the head was thrust, and was formed carefully of one piece, such as was the robe of Christ (Joh 19:23). The high priest's was of a sky-blue color. The binding at the neck was strongly woven, and it terminated below in a fringe, made of blue, purple, and scarlet tassels, in the form of a pomegranate, interspersed with small bells of gold, which tinkled as the wearer was in motion.
34. a golden bell and a pomegranate—The bells were hung between the pomegranates, which were said to have amounted to seventy-two, and the use of them seems to have been to announce to the people when the high priest entered the most holy place, that they might accompany him with their prayers, and also to remind himself to be attired in his official dress, to minister without which was death.
36-38. plate—literally, a petal of a flower, which seems to have been the figure of this golden plate, which was tied with a ribbon of blue on the front of the mitre, so that every one facing him could read the inscription.
37. mitre—crown-like cap for the head, not covering the entire head, but adhering closely to it, composed of fine linen. The Scripture has not described its form, but from Josephus we may gather that it was conical in shape, as he distinguishes the mitres of the common priests by saying that they were not conical—that it was encircled with swathes of blue embroidered, and that it was covered by one piece of fine linen to hide the seams.
39. coat of fine linen—a garment fastened at the neck, and reaching far down the person, with the sleeves terminating at the elbow.
girdle of needlework—a piece of fine twined linen, richly embroidered, and variously dyed. It is said to have been very long, and being many times wound round the body, it was fastened in front and the ends hung down, which, being an impediment to a priest in active duty, were usually thrown across the shoulders. This was the outer garment of the common priests.
40. bonnets—turbans.
42. linen breeches—drawers, which encompassed the loins and reached half way down the thighs. They are seen very frequently represented in Egyptian figures.