Exodus 28:6

6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skilful workman.

Exodus 28:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 28:6

And they shall make the ephod
This was the outermost garment of, all, and was put over the robe; it was a short garment, reaching to the loins, as Kimchi F16; or to the buttocks, as Abarbinel {q}; and not to the heels or feet, as Jarchi F18, and Maimonides F19; for Josephus F20 says it was but a cubit long, which was little more than half a yard; he means that part of it which was distinct from the shoulder pieces, and came down from thence: the hinder part of it covered the back, and reached to the middle of the buttocks; and the forepart covered the breast and belly, and with shoulder pieces under the arm holes was buttoned with onyx stones upon the top of the shoulders, and was girt about the breast with a curious girdle: it had no sleeves, though Josephus F21 says it had, as appears from the make of it; it was different from the linen ephod worn by the common priests and others, and was a symbol of the human nature of Christ, our great High Priest: it was made of

gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with
cunning work;
the stuff of which it was made was interwoven with threads of gold, and threads of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and threads of linen, wrought with divers figures in a curious manner, which looked very beautiful; and was a fit emblem of the glory, excellency, and purity of Christ's human nature; of the various graces of the Spirit in it; of his heavenly original; of his blood, sufferings, and death, and glorious exaltation; and of its being a curious piece of workmanship wrought by the Lord himself, ( Hebrews 10:5 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F16 Comment. in 1 Chron. 15. 27.
F17 Comment. in loc.
F18 Comment. in loc.
F19 Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 9.
F20 Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5.
F21 Ib.

Exodus 28:6 In-Context

4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
5 And they shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.
6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skilful workman.
7 It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together.
8 And the skilfully woven band, which is upon it, wherewith to gird it on, shall be like the work thereof [and] of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.