Exodus 28:42

42 And thou shalt make them linen underwear to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the loins even unto the thighs;

Exodus 28:42 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 28:42

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their
nakedness
Or "the flesh of nakedness" ^F17, that part of the body which ought not to be naked and exposed to view, and which, when it is, causes shame and ridicule; what part is designed is easily gathered from the next clause; great care was taken, in the service of God's house, to preserve decency, prevent immodesty, and to guard against laughter and levity, and the like care should be always taken, (See Gill on Exodus 28:2),

from the loins even unto the thigh they shall reach;
they were to reach above the navel near the heart, and to the end of the thigh, which is the knee, as Maimonides says ^F18; who also observes, that they had strings, but had no opening before or behind, but were drawn up round like a purse; they were a sort of drawers, and somewhat like our sailors' trousers.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (hwre rvb) "carnem nuditatis", Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius; "carnem nudam", Junius & Tremellius; "carnem verendorum", Tigurine version; "carnem pudendorum", Piscator.
F18 Cele Hamikdash, c. 8. sect. 18.

Exodus 28:42 In-Context

40 And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats; thou shalt also make girdles for them, and tiaras shalt thou make for them, for honour and for beauty.

41 And with these thou shalt clothe Aaron, thy brother, and his sons with him and shalt anoint them and fill their hands and sanctify them that they may be my priests.

42 And thou shalt make them linen underwear to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the loins even unto the thighs;

43 And they shall be upon Aaron and upon his sons when they enter into the tabernacle of the testimony or when they come near unto the altar to serve in the sanctuary that they not bear iniquity and die: This shall be a perpetual statute unto him and his seed after him.