And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
Wash them with water, and ... take the garments. The manner in which these parts of the ceremonial was performed is minutely described; and in discovering their symbolical import, which, indeed, is sufficiently plain and obvious, we have inspired authority to guide us. Water was used as a sensible sign of transition from an unprivileged to a privileged state. It also signified the necessity and importance of moral purity or holiness; and accordingly, when Aaron and his sons were constituted priests, they were washed, that element importing that they were not only elevated from the condition of common Israelites to a holy office, but that they required to cultivate personal purity (Isaiah 52:11; John 13:10; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 3:21).
In like manner, the investiture with the holy garments signified their being clothed with righteousness (Revelation 19:8), and equipped as men active and well prepared for the service of God. The anointing the high priest with oil denoted that he was to be filled with the influences of the Spirit, for the edification and delight of the Church (Leviticus 10:7; Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; 1 John 2:27), and as he was officially a type of Christ (Hebrews 7:26; John 3:34; also Matthew 3:16; Matthew 11:29).