What does Exodus 28:31 Mean?

Study Notes

robe
.

garments

The priest's garments were put on in reverse order of the instructions for making them:

(1) The "coat" Exodus 28:39 the oriental long garment worn next to the person, made of fine linen. Exodus 27:9 .

(2) The "robe of the ephod" Exodus 28:31-35 a long seamless garment of blue linen with an opening for the head, worn over the "coat." Pomegranates, symbol of fruitfulness, were embroidered on the skirt of the robe in blue, purple, and scarlet, alternated with golden bells, symbol of testimony, which gave a sound as the high priest went in and out of the sanctuary. The robe was secured by a golden girdle.

(3) The ephod Exodus 28:5-12 was next put on. A short garment made of linen, embroidered with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, it consisted of two pieces, front and back, united by two shoulder-pieces and by a band about the bottom. Two onyx stones, set in gold and fastened upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes: "and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders (the place of strength) for a memorial." Cf.; Isaiah 9:6 ; Luke 15:4 ; Luke 15:5 .

(4) The breastplate was a square pouch Exodus 28:16 of linen to contain the Urim and Thummim. (See Scofield " Exodus 28:30 ") .

To the linen pouch was attached the oblong gold setting containing four rows of precious stones, on each stone a tribal name. The breastplate with the jewel work was attached at the upper corners to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod by golden chains. Golden rings were sewn on ephod and breastplate, and the latter was further secured to the ephod by laces of blue through the rings. Altogether, it was called "the breastplate of judgment" because worn by the high priest when judging the causes of the people. (See Scofield " Exodus 28:30 ") .

(5) A mitre (or "turban") of fine line was made Exodus 28:37 to cover the head, bearing upon the front a gold plate engraved, "Holiness to the Lord" Exodus 29:36 .

(6) To these were added linen breeches, "from the loins even to the thighs" Exodus 28:42 . The "coat" and linen breeches were made for the priests, also, and were the ordinary garments of high priest and priests as distinguished from the other garments, which were "for glory and beauty."

Context Summary

The robe was worn under the ephod. It was of blue, the color of heaven, of deep lakes, of the gentian and the forget-me-not. It was of one piece. See John 19:23. It ended in a fringe, in which bells and pomegranates alternated. We are as the skirts of his garments, and the holy oil will reach us there, so the psalmist says. See Psalms 133:2. We may receive the unction of the holy Christ. The Spirit so richly given to Him may anoint even us, and it will reveal itself in the fruit of the pomegranate and the sweetness of the golden bell. Aaron's head plate bore an inscription, which the prophet tells us should be written also on our commonest duties and most prosaic service. See Zechariah 14:20-21. For ordinary priests the clothing was very simple. Pure white linen! Such is the garb which befits us all! Revelation 19:8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 28

¹  Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
²  Holy garments are appointed
⁶  The ephod and girdle
¹⁵  The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
³⁰  The Urim and Thummim
³¹  The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
³⁶  The plate of the mitre
³⁹  The embroidered coat
⁴⁰  The garments for Aaron's sons