Exodus 28:36-39 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

Plate - literally, petal of a flower, which seems to have been the figure of this burnished plate of gold, which was tied with a ribbon of blue on the front of the mitre, so that everyone facing him could read the inscription.

Mitre, х mitsnaapet (H4701)] - a turban, a tiara; 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 ('Antiquities,' b. 3:, ch. 7:, sec. 3) 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 (Braun, 'De Vest. Sacerd. Heb.,' p. 624).

Verse 39. Coat of fine linen - a garment fastened at the neck, and reaching far down the person, with the sleeves terminating at the elbow (Braun, 'De Vest. Sacerd. Magni., 1:, p. 93; Hengstenberg, 'Egypt and Books of Moses, p. 145).

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.

Exodus 28:36-39

36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.