And he put upon him the coat. — Better, and he put upon him the tunic. For this garment see Leviticus 6:10, and Exodus 28:39. It will be seen that the first article of dress — viz., the drawers — distinctly mentioned in Exodus 28:42, is here omitted. This arises from the fact that, being nearest to the skin, Aaron put them on himself behind the curtain, immediately after his ablution.
And girded him with the girdle. — Not the band of the ephod, which is mentioned further on by the name of “curious girdle,” but the one made of needlework, with which the tunic was girded about the loins. (See Leviticus 6:10, and Exodus 28:39.)
The robe. — Called in Exodus 28:31-35, “the robe of the ephod,” which was woven without seam, and was wholly blue. (See Leviticus 6:10.)
And put the ephod upon him. — The ephod, which was the distinctive vestment of the high priest, was a sleeveless garment, and was worn over the shoulders. It was made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine-twined linen, interwoven with golden threads. (See Exodus 28:6-7.)
And he girded him with the curious girdle. — Better, and girded him with the band. This band was not only made of the same costly materials as the ephod, but was woven out of the same piece on either side of the garment, so that the ephod had as it were two hands, which constituted the band. (See Exodus 28:8.) It will be seen that this is entirely different from the girdle which was tied around the tunic, mentioned in the former part of this verse.