The Priestly Garments

28 “Have your brother Aaron, with his sons, come to you from the Israelites to serve Me as priest—Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(A) Make holy garments(B) for your brother Aaron, for glory and beauty. You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen,[a](C) whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s garments for consecrating him to serve Me as priest. These are the garments that they must make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a specially woven tunic,[b] a turban, and a sash. They are to make holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons so that they may serve Me as priests. They should use[c] gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and fine linen.

The Ephod

“They(D) are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges so that it can be joined together. The artistically woven waistband that is on the ephod[d] must be of one piece,[e] according to the same workmanship of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen.

“Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel’s sons: 10 six of their names on the first stone and the remaining six names on the second stone, in the order of their birth. 11 Engrave the two stones with the names of Israel’s sons as a gem cutter engraves a seal. Mount them, surrounded with gold filigree settings. 12 Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the Israelites. Aaron will carry their names on his two shoulders before the Lord as a reminder.(E) 13 Fashion gold filigree settings 14 and two chains of pure gold; you will make them of braided cord work, and attach the cord chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece

15 “You(F) are to make an embroidered breastpiece for making decisions.[f] Make it with the same workmanship as the ephod; make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen. 16 It must be square and folded double, nine inches long and nine inches wide.[g] 17 Place a setting of gemstones[h] on it, four rows of stones:

The first row should be
a row of carnelian, topaz, and emerald;[i]
18 the second row,
a turquoise,[j] a sapphire,[k] and a diamond;[l]
19 the third row,
a jacinth,[m] an agate, and an amethyst;
20 and the fourth row,
a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.

They should be adorned with gold filigree in their settings. 21 The 12 stones are to correspond to the names of Israel’s sons. Each stone must be engraved like a seal, with one of the names of the 12 tribes.

22 “You are to make braided chains[n] of pure gold cord work for the breastpiece. 23 Fashion two gold rings for the breastpiece and attach them to its two corners. 24 Then attach the two gold cords to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece. 25 Attach the other ends of the two cords to the two filigree settings, and in this way attach them to the ephod’s shoulder pieces in the front. 26 Make two other gold rings and put them at the two other corners of the breastpiece on the edge that is next to the inner border of the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the ephod’s two shoulder pieces on its front, close to its seam,[o] and above the ephod’s woven waistband. 28 The craftsmen are to tie the breastpiece from its rings to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece is above the ephod’s waistband and does not come loose from the ephod.

29 “Whenever he enters the sanctuary, Aaron is to carry the names of Israel’s sons over his heart on the breastpiece for decisions, as a continual reminder before the Lord. 30 Place the Urim and Thummim(G) in the breastpiece for decisions, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the Lord. Aaron will continually carry the means of decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

The Robe

31 “You(H) are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue yarn. 32 There should be an opening at its top in the center of it. Around the opening, there should be a woven collar with an opening like that of body armor[p] so that it does not tear. 33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn[q] on its lower hem and all around it. Put gold bells between them all the way around, 34 so that gold bells and pomegranates alternate around the lower hem of the robe. 35 The robe must be worn by Aaron whenever he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he enters the sanctuary before the Lord and when he exits, so that he does not die.

The Turban

36 “You are to make a pure gold medallion and engrave it, like the engraving of a seal:(I)

HOLY TO THE LORD.

37 Fasten it to a cord of blue yarn so it can be placed on the turban; the medallion is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead so that Aaron may bear the guilt(J) connected with the holy offerings that the Israelites consecrate as all their holy gifts. It is always to be on his forehead, so that they may find acceptance with the Lord.

Other Priestly Garments

39 “You are to weave the tunic from fine linen, make a turban of fine linen, and make an embroidered sash. 40 Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons to give them glory and beauty.(K) 41 Put these on your brother Aaron and his sons; then anoint,(L) ordain,[r] and consecrate(M) them, so that they may serve Me as priests. 42 Make them linen undergarments(N) to cover their naked bodies; they must extend from the waist[s] to the thighs. 43 These must be worn by Aaron and his sons whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the sanctuary area, so that they do not incur guilt(O) and die. This is to be a permanent statute(P) for Aaron and for his future descendants.

Instructions about Consecration

29 “This is what you are to do for them to consecrate them to serve Me as priests. Take a young bull and two unblemished rams, with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers coated with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour,(Q) put them in a basket, and bring them in the basket, along with the bull and two rams. Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.(R) Then take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe for the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastpiece; fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband.(S) Put the turban on his head and place the holy diadem(T) on the turban. Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint(U) him. You must also bring his sons and clothe them with tunics. Tie the sashes on Aaron and his sons and fasten headbands on them. The priesthood is to be theirs by a permanent statute. This is the way you will ordain Aaron and[t] his sons.(V)

10 “You are to bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the bull’s head.(W) 11 Slaughter the bull before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and apply it to the horns(X) of the altar with your finger; then pour out all the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat(Y) that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn up the bull’s flesh, its hide, and its dung outside the camp;(Z) it is a sin offering.

15 “Take one ram, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on the ram’s head.(AA) 16 You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces. Wash its entrails and shanks, and place them with its head and its pieces on the altar. 18 Then burn the whole ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a pleasing aroma,(AB) a fire offering to the Lord.

19 “You are to take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the ram’s head.(AC) 20 Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on his sons’ right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on all sides of the altar. 21 Take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil,(AD) and sprinkle them on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. In this way, he and his garments will become holy, as well as his sons and their garments.

22 “Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the fatty lobe of the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination[u]); 23 take one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is before the Lord; 24 and put all of them in the hands of Aaron and his[v] sons and wave them as a presentation offering before the Lord.(AE) 25 Take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a pleasing aroma before the Lord; it is a fire offering to the Lord.

26 “Take the breast from the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it as a presentation offering before the Lord; it is to be your portion.(AF) 27 Consecrate for Aaron and his sons(AG) the breast of the presentation offering that is waved and the thigh of the contribution that is lifted up from the ram of ordination. 28 This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is a contribution. It will be the Israelites’ contribution from their fellowship sacrifices, their contribution to the Lord.

29 “The holy garments that belong to Aaron are to belong to his sons after him, so that they can be anointed and ordained[w] in them.(AH) 30 Any priest who is one of his sons and who succeeds him and enters the tent of meeting to minister in the sanctuary must wear them for seven days.(AI)

31 “You are to take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting.(AJ) 33 They must eat those things by which atonement was made at the time of their ordination[x] and consecration. An unauthorized person must not eat(AK) them, for these things are holy. 34 If any of the meat of ordination or any of the bread is left until morning, burn up what is left over. It must not be eaten because it is holy.

35 “This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons based on all I have commanded you. Take seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify[y] the altar when you make atonement for it, and anoint it in order to consecrate it.(AL) 37 For seven days you must make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. The altar will become especially holy; whatever touches the altar will become holy.(AM)

38 “This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar every day: two year-old lambs.(AN) 39 In the morning offer one lamb, and at twilight offer the other lamb.(AO) 40 With the first lamb offer two quarts[z] of fine flour mixed with one quart[aa] of oil from crushed olives, and a drink offering of one quart[ab] of wine. 41 You are to offer the second lamb at twilight. Offer a grain offering and a drink offering with it, like the one in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a fire offering to the Lord. 42 This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you[ac] to speak with you.(AP) 43 I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory.(AQ) 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. 45 I will dwell(AR) among the Israelites and be their God.(AS) 46 And they will know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am Yahweh their God.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 28:3 Lit all wise of heart
  2. Exodus 28:4 Hb obscure
  3. Exodus 28:5 Lit receive
  4. Exodus 28:8 Lit waistband of its ephod, which is on it
  5. Exodus 28:8 Lit piece with the ephod
  6. Exodus 28:15 Used for determining God’s will; Nm 27:21
  7. Exodus 28:16 Lit a span its length and a span its width
  8. Exodus 28:17 Many of these stones cannot be identified with certainty.
  9. Exodus 28:17 Or beryl
  10. Exodus 28:18 Or malachite, or garnet
  11. Exodus 28:18 Or lapis lazuli
  12. Exodus 28:18 Hb obscure; LXX, Vg read jasper
  13. Exodus 28:19 Hb obscure
  14. Exodus 28:22 The same chains mentioned in v. 14
  15. Exodus 28:27 The place where the shoulder pieces join the front of the ephod
  16. Exodus 28:32 Hb obscure
  17. Exodus 28:33 Sam, LXX add of finely spun linen
  18. Exodus 28:41 Lit anoint them, fill their hand
  19. Exodus 28:42 Lit loins
  20. Exodus 29:9 Lit you will fill the hand of Aaron and the hand of; Ex 29:23-24
  21. Exodus 29:22 The priest would normally receive the right thigh to be eaten, but here it is burned; Lv 7:32-34.
  22. Exodus 29:24 Lit in the hands of his
  23. Exodus 29:29 Lit him for anointing in them and for filling their hand
  24. Exodus 29:33 Lit made to fill their hand
  25. Exodus 29:36 Or Make a sin offering on
  26. Exodus 29:40 Lit offer a tenth
  27. Exodus 29:40 Lit a fourth of a hin
  28. Exodus 29:40 Lit a fourth of a hin
  29. Exodus 29:42 = Moses

The Priestly Garments

28 “Have Aaron(A) your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu,(B) Eleazar and Ithamar,(C) so they may serve me as priests.(D) Make sacred garments(E) for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.(F) Tell all the skilled workers(G) to whom I have given wisdom(H) in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece,(I) an ephod,(J) a robe,(K) a woven tunic,(L) a turban(M) and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.(N)

The Ephod(O)

“Make the ephod(P) of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands. It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. Its skillfully woven waistband(Q) is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.

“Take two onyx stones and engrave(R) on them the names of the sons of Israel 10 in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. 11 Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12 and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders(S) as a memorial(T) before the Lord. 13 Make gold filigree settings 14 and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece(U)

15 “Fashion a breastpiece(V) for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span[a] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones(W) on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite(X) and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel,(Y) each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(Z)

22 “For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. 24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place,(AA) he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim(AB) in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

Other Priestly Garments(AC)

31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[c] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates(AD) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36 “Make a plate(AE) of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord.(AF) 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt(AG) involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable(AH) to the Lord.

39 “Weave the tunic(AI) of fine linen and make the turban(AJ) of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons(AK) to give them dignity and honor.(AL) 41 After you put these clothes(AM) on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint(AN) and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.(AO)

42 “Make linen undergarments(AP) as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting(AQ) or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,(AR) so that they will not incur guilt and die.(AS)

“This is to be a lasting ordinance(AT) for Aaron and his descendants.

Consecration of the Priests(AU)

29 “This is what you are to do to consecrate(AV) them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.(AW) And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.(AX) Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams.(AY) Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.(AZ) Take the garments(BA) and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.(BB) Put the turban(BC) on his head and attach the sacred emblem(BD) to the turban. Take the anointing oil(BE) and anoint him by pouring it on his head. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics(BF) and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons.[d](BG) The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance.(BH)

“Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BI) 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence(BJ) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns(BK) of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.(BL) 13 Then take all the fat(BM) on the internal organs,(BN) the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its intestines(BO) outside the camp.(BP) It is a sin offering.[e]

15 “Take one of the rams,(BQ) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BR) 16 Slaughter it and take the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash(BS) the internal organs and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma,(BT) a food offering presented to the Lord.

19 “Take the other ram,(BU) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BV) 20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.(BW) Then splash blood against the sides of the altar.(BX) 21 And take some blood(BY) from the altar and some of the anointing oil(BZ) and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.(CA)

22 “Take from this ram the fat,(CB) the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) 23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering.(CC) 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.(CD) 26 After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.(CE)

27 “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons:(CF) the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. 28 This is always to be the perpetual share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.(CG)

29 “Aaron’s sacred garments(CH) will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.(CI) 30 The son(CJ) who succeeds him as priest and comes to the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days.

31 “Take the ram(CK) for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place.(CL) 32 At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread(CM) that is in the basket. 33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat(CN) them, because they are sacred. 34 And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning,(CO) burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

35 “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull each day(CP) as a sin offering to make atonement(CQ). Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate(CR) it. 37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.(CS)

38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day:(CT) two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.(CU) 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah[f] of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin[g] of oil(CV) from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.(CW) 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight(CX) with the same grain offering(CY) and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

42 “For the generations to come(CZ) this burnt offering is to be made regularly(DA) at the entrance to the tent of meeting,(DB) before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you;(DC) 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.(DD)

44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.(DE) 45 Then I will dwell(DF) among the Israelites and be their God.(DG) 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt(DH) so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.(DI)

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 28:16 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  2. Exodus 28:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  3. Exodus 28:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  4. Exodus 29:9 Hebrew; Septuagint on them
  5. Exodus 29:14 Or purification offering; also in verse 36
  6. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms
  7. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 1 quart or about 1 liter