Exodus 28:2-5 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

Holy garments х bigdeey (H899) qodesh (H6944)] - garments of holiness [Septuagint, stoleen hagian]. Beged denotes the outer cloak of Orientals (Genesis 39:12-13, etc.; 1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chronicles 18:9). It is always applied to describe the official dress of the priests (Exodus 35:19; Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 21:10). No inherent holiness belonged either to the materials 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 (Ezekiel 44:19).

For glory and for beauty. It was a grand and sumptuous attire. In material, elaborate embroidery, and colour, it had an imposing splendour. The tabernacle being adapted to the infantine age of the Church, it was right and necessary that the priest's 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.

Exodus 28:2-5

2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.