Exodus 28
The Priestly Garments
1“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office: Aaron, with Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.
2You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
3You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
4These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
5They shall use the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.
The Ephod
6“They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.
7It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.
8The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
9You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel.
10Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth.
11With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel. You shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold.
12You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial.
13You shall make settings of gold,
14and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings.
The Breastpiece
15“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.
16It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length, and a span its width.
17You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row;
18and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
19and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
20and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.
21The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes.
22You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
23You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
24You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
25The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart.
26You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.
27You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
28They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod.
29Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
30You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.
Other Priestly Vestments
31“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
32It shall have a hole for the head in the middle of it. It shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn.
33On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, all around its hem; with bells of gold between and around them:
34a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.
35It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before the LORD, and when he comes out, that he not die.
36“You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD.’
37You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash. It shall be on the front of the sash.
38It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
39You shall weave the tunic with fine linen. You shall make a turban of fine linen. You shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.
40“You shall make tunics for Aaron’s sons. You shall make sashes for them. You shall make headbands for them, for glory and for beauty.
41You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office.
42You shall make them linen pants to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the waist even to the thighs.
43They shall be on Aaron and on his sons, when they go in to the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place, that they don’t bear iniquity, and die. This shall be a statute forever to him and to his offspring after him.
God commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests and provides detailed instructions for crafting their sacred vestments. The elaborate priestly garments—including the ephod with engraved stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes and the jeweled breastpiece—symbolize the priests' role as mediators between God and His people. These holy garments serve both functional and symbolic purposes, representing the beauty, dignity, and sacred responsibility of the priesthood.
Context
Following the tabernacle construction plans in chapters 25-27, this chapter establishes the priesthood that will serve in that sacred space.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5Consecration and Overview of Priestly GarmentsGod designates Aaron and his sons as priests and commands the creation of holy garments for glory and beauty.
- 6-14The Ephod with Memorial StonesDetailed instructions for crafting the ephod with onyx stones engraved with the names of Israel's twelve tribes.
- 15-30The Breastpiece of JudgmentSpecifications for the square breastpiece with twelve precious stones representing the tribes and containing the Urim and Thummim.
- 31-43Additional Priestly VestmentsInstructions for the robe, golden plate, turban, tunics, sashes, and undergarments to complete the sacred wardrobe.
The Priestly Garments
28:1–28:5God commands Moses to bring Aaron and his sons near to serve as priests and to make holy garments for them. The passage establishes the priestly calling and describes the sacred vestments that will set apart Aaron's family for divine service.
person_contrast
Aaron transforms from Moses' spokesperson into God's chosen high priest, marking the only passage where divine selection explicitly grants him independent religious authority rather than supporting Moses.
The Ephod
28:6–28:14Detailed instructions for making the ephod, a sacred vestment with onyx stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes. Aaron will bear the names of the children of Israel before the Lord as a memorial on his shoulders.
person_contrast
Aaron transforms from Moses' spokesperson into Israel's living memorial, literally shouldering the nation's identity through engraved stones that make him a walking embodiment of God's chosen people.
The Breastpiece
28:15–28:30Instructions for creating the breastplate of judgment with twelve precious stones representing the tribes of Israel. Aaron will bear the names of Israel's children on his heart when entering the holy place before the Lord.
person_contrast
Aaron's breastplate transforms him from mere ritual performer into judicial representative, as the Hebrew "mishpat" (judgment) appears here uniquely linked to his intercessory role bearing Israel's tribal names.
Other Priestly Vestments
28:31–28:43Instructions for additional priestly garments including the blue robe with bells and pomegranates, and a gold plate inscribed 'HOLY TO THE LORD.' These vestments ensure proper approach to God and bear the iniquity of holy offerings.
person_contrast
Aaron's golden headplate bearing "HOLY TO THE LORD" uniquely transforms him from law-receiver into sin-bearer, making him responsible for Israel's ritual failures rather than merely following divine commands.
Exodus 28:1
Numbers 3:4lexicalNadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they…
1 Chronicles 24:2lexicalBut Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
1 Chronicles 24:1lexicalThese were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Numbers 26:60lexicalTo Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Exodus 6:23lexicalAaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, El…
Exodus 28:3
Exodus 40:13lexicalYou shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the…
Leviticus 16:32lexicalThe priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and sha…
Exodus 29:44lexicalI will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar. I will also sanctify Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the prie…
Exodus 30:30lexicalYou shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 31:10lexicalthe finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s…
Exodus 28:4
Exodus 29:5lexicalYou shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clot…
Leviticus 16:4lexicalHe shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and…
Leviticus 8:7lexicalHe put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillful…
Exodus 40:13lexicalYou shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the…
Exodus 31:10lexicalthe finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s…
Exodus 28:5
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 39:5lexicalThe skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of…
Exodus 39:2lexicalHe made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 39:3lexicalThey beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and th…
Exodus 35:25lexicalAll the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, t…
Exodus 28:6
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 39:2lexicalHe made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 26:31lexical“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a…
Exodus 26:1lexical“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with…
Exodus 36:8lexicalAll the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue,…
Exodus 28:8
Exodus 39:5lexicalThe skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of…
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 26:31lexical“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a…
Exodus 27:16lexicalFor the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, t…
Exodus 26:36lexical“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of…
Exodus 28:11
Exodus 39:6lexicalThey worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the na…
Exodus 39:14lexicalThe stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings…
Exodus 39:30lexicalThey made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HO…
Zechariah 3:9lexicalFor, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua: on one stone are seven eyes; behold, I will engrave its inscriptio…
Exodus 39:13lexicaland the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
Exodus 28:14
Exodus 39:15lexicalThey made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
Exodus 39:18lexicalThe other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ep…
Exodus 28:15
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 39:2lexicalHe made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 26:31lexical“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a…
Exodus 36:8lexicalAll the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue,…
Exodus 26:1lexical“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with…
Exodus 28:16
Exodus 39:9lexicalIt was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double.
Exodus 27:1lexical“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide. The altar shall be square. Its height…
Exodus 38:1lexicalHe made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits…
Ezekiel 40:47lexicalHe measured the court, one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, square. The altar was before the house.
Exodus 30:2lexicalIts length shall be a cubit, and its width a cubit. It shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits. Its horns sh…
Exodus 28:17
Exodus 39:10lexicalThey set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row;
Ezekiel 28:13lexicalYou were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, s…
Exodus 39:13lexicaland the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
Exodus 28:18
Exodus 39:11lexicaland the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
Ezekiel 28:13lexicalYou were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, s…
Exodus 28:20
Exodus 39:13lexicaland the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
Ezekiel 28:13lexicalYou were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, s…
Exodus 28:21
Exodus 39:14lexicalThe stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings…
Exodus 39:6lexicalThey worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the na…
Exodus 39:30lexicalThey made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HO…
Exodus 28:22
Exodus 39:15lexicalThey made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
Exodus 39:17lexicalThey put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 28:23
Exodus 39:17lexicalThey put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:19lexicalThey made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 39:16lexicalThey made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:24
Exodus 39:17lexicalThey put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:19lexicalThey made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 39:16lexicalThey made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:15lexicalThey made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
Exodus 28:25
Exodus 39:18lexicalThe other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ep…
Exodus 39:20lexicalThey made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close b…
Exodus 39:16lexicalThey made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:26
Exodus 39:19lexicalThey made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 39:17lexicalThey put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:16lexicalThey made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 39:21lexicalThey bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfull…
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 28:27
Exodus 39:20lexicalThey made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close b…
Exodus 39:21lexicalThey bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfull…
Exodus 39:18lexicalThe other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ep…
Exodus 39:19lexicalThey made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 28:28
Exodus 39:21lexicalThey bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfull…
Exodus 29:5lexicalYou shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clot…
Exodus 39:20lexicalThey made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close b…
Exodus 39:19lexicalThey made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 28:30
Leviticus 8:8lexicalHe placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate.
Deuteronomy 33:8lexicalAbout Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you conten…
Nehemiah 7:65lexicalThe governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.
Ezra 2:63lexicalThe governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and w…
Exodus 28:33
Exodus 39:24lexicalThey made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen.
Exodus 39:25lexicalThey made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pome…
Exodus 39:3lexicalThey beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and th…
Exodus 39:8lexicalHe made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 39:5lexicalThe skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of…
Exodus 28:34
Exodus 39:25lexicalThey made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pome…
Exodus 39:26lexicala bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as the LORD commanded…
Exodus 39:24lexicalThey made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen.
Exodus 28:36
Exodus 39:30lexicalThey made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HO…
Exodus 39:6lexicalThey worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the na…
Leviticus 8:9lexicalHe set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as the LORD commande…
Exodus 39:14lexicalThe stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings…
1 Kings 6:29lexicalHe carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inside and ou…
Exodus 28:39
Exodus 39:29lexicalthe sash of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Leviticus 16:4lexicalHe shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and…
Exodus 38:18lexicalThe screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. T…
Exodus 27:16lexicalFor the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, t…
Exodus 26:36lexical“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of…
Exodus 28:40
Leviticus 8:13lexicalMoses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them, as the LOR…
Exodus 29:9lexicalYou shall clothe them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them. They shall have the priesthood by a pe…
Leviticus 8:7lexicalHe put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillful…
Isaiah 22:21lexicaland I will clothe him with your robe, and strengthen him with your belt. I will commit your government into his hand; an…
Leviticus 16:4lexicalHe shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and…
Exodus 28:41
Exodus 40:13lexicalYou shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the…
Leviticus 16:32lexicalThe priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and sha…
Exodus 30:30lexicalYou shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office.
Numbers 3:3lexicalThese are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s…
Exodus 29:44lexicalI will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar. I will also sanctify Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the prie…
Exodus 28:42
Leviticus 16:4lexicalHe shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and…
Exodus 39:28lexicalthe turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen, the linen trousers of fine twined linen,
Ezekiel 44:18lexicalThey shall have linen turbans on their heads, and shall have linen trousers on their waists. They shall not clothe thems…
Exodus 28:43
Exodus 30:20lexicalWhen they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they don’t die; or when they come near to the al…
Numbers 18:23lexicalBut the Levites shall do the service of the Tent of Meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a statute f…
Exodus 27:21lexicalIn the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from ev…
Leviticus 24:3lexicalOutside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall keep it in order from evening to morning befor…
Numbers 8:19lexicalI have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the…
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