Exodus 28:31 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The robe of the ephod— The robe of the ephod, another part of the high-priest's vestments, is next described; which was long, reaching down to the ancles, in form something like one of the surplices used in our churches, without sleeves, made all of blue woollen cloth, in direct contradiction to the superstitions of the Egyptians, who never appeared in their temples in woollen apparel, or in any other than linen garments. It is called the robe of the ephod, because the ephod was placed immediately upon it. The hem, (or skirts of it,) Exodus 28:33 was to be adorned with figures of pomegranates of various colour and workmanship, with bells of gold between each pomegranate; the reason of which is given in Exodus 28:35 that his sound may be heard, &c.—that he die not; this sound declaring that he was clothed with the proper robes, to minister without which was death, see Exodus 28:43. Probably this sound too was designed as an admonition to the people; at least the author of Ecclesiasticus so understands it, ch. Sir 45:9. And he compassed him with pomegranates, and with many golden bells round about, that, as he went, there might be a sound and a noise made, that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people. Some have supposed, that as the high-priest was a type of the MESSIAH, the light of the world, so the blue colour of his robe referred to this striking particular; and the bells to that sound of the Gospel, which, from Christ, went out into all the earth. See Psalms 19:4 compared with Romans 10:18.