Exodus 28:31-35

Exodus 28:31-35

[31] And thou shalt make  the robe  of the ephod  all  of blue.  [32] And there shall be an hole  in the top  of it, in the midst  thereof: it shall have a binding  of woven  work  round about  the hole  of an habergeon,  that it be not rent.  [33] And beneath upon the hem  of it thou shalt make  pomegranates  of blue,  and of purple,  and of scarlet,  round about  the hem  thereof; and bells  of gold  between  them round about:  [34] A golden  bell  and a pomegranate,  a golden  bell  and a pomegranate,  upon the hem  of the robe  round about.  [35] And it shall be upon Aaron  to minister:  and his sound  shall be heard  when he goeth  in unto the holy  place before  the LORD,  and when he cometh  out, that he die  not.

What does Exodus 28:31-35 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The high priest also wore this garment. It was his basic garment over which he put the ephod. It covered him completely so his natural nakedness did not appear (cf. Genesis 3:21).
God may have intended the pomegranates and bells on the hem of the robe ( Exodus 28:33-34) to remind the Israelites of God"s commandments. The pomegranate was probably a symbol of the spiritually nourishing quality of God"s Word (cf. Proverbs 25:11; Psalm 19:8-11; Psalm 119:25; Psalm 119:43; Psalm 119:50; Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 9:8; Ecclesiastes 12:9-11; Ecclesiastes 12:13). The bell was evidently a symbol of the sounding or proclamation of God"s Word through testimony. [1] Some interpreters have felt pomegranates and bells represented fruitfulness and joy. Others have seen them as representing the fruits and gifts of God"s Spirit. [2]
"A popular Jewish interpretation of Exodus 28:35 taught that one end of a long rope should be tied to the high priest"s ankle before he entered the Holy Place. Since his slightest movement would cause the bells to tinkle, the people outside would assume that all was well as long as they could hear them. But if the bells fell silent for a time, the people outside would naturally assume that their priest had either fainted or died. They would then tug on the end of the rope to pull him out, making it unnecessary for unauthorized persons to enter the Holy Place in order to remove his body." [3]