Exodus 28

15–30 The breastpiece was a pouch, one span (twenty-two centimeters) square, which was attached to the front of the ephod. The breastpiece was used for making decisions (verse 15). Within its pouch were placed two objects, the Urim and Thummim (verse 30), which were used for determining God’s will in certain matters.¹⁰² It is not known what they looked like or how they were used, but they aided the high priest in making decisions in doubtful cases (Numbers 27:21).

Like the ephod, the breastpiece also had a distinctive feature: twelve precious stones, each different, were mounted on its front side, and on each of the twelve stones the name of one of Jacob’s twelve sons was engraved (verse 21). By wearing the breastpiece the high priest would bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart whenever he entered the Holy Place (verse 29). Thus the nation of Israel was doubly represented before God: once by the two onyx stones (verse 9), and once by the twelve precious stones on the high priest’s breastpiece. In representing Israel in this way, the high priest typified our own High Priest, Jesus, who always intercedes for us—“bears our names”—in the presence of God (Romans 8:33–34; Hebrews 7:25).

Why should God have specified that each son of Jacob be represented by a different precious stone? The best answer may be that God values each individual; He carries, as it were, each individual “upon His heart.” This, of course, applies to those whom God has specially chosen to be His own, to those who obey His commands. And if this was true of the Israelites, it is much more true of believers in Christ. Each one of us is a “jewel” in the eye of God.

Other Priestly Garments (28:31–43)

(Exodus 39:22–31)

31–35 The robe of the ephod (verse 31) was a long blue robe worn under the ephod and breastpiece. Attached to the bottom of the robe were little gold bells that tinkled whenever the high priest moved. The bells identified the high priest, and the people outside the tabernacle could hear the bells and know that he was representing them before the Lord.

36–38 Here the headwear of the high priest is described. He was to wear a turban on which a gold plate was attached. On the plate were engraved the words: HOLY TO THE LORD. When the high priest wore the plate upon his forehead, it signified that he was “holy” and had been “set apart” for the Lord. Because he had been set apart in this way, the high priest’s sacrifices were acceptable to God (verse 38), and he was able to act as a mediator between God and the people. Christians today wear a figurative “plate” upon their foreheads testifying that they too are “holy to the Lord”; it is through Christ’s sacrifice that we have been made holy in God’s sight (Hebrews 10:14).

Because the high priest was “holy” in God’s sight, he was able to bear the guilt of the Israelites in a symbolic way (verse 38). But Christ, our High Priest, has borne our guilt, not symbolically but actually, through His death on the cross.

39–41 Here other articles of the high priest’s clothing are mentioned: a tunic worn under the robe and a sash placed around the waist. Aaron’s sons also were to have tunics, sashes, and headbands (turbans). Once these garments had been prepared and placed on Aaron and his sons, Moses was to anoint and ordain them (verse 41); in this way, they would be consecrated for God’s service (see Exodus 29:1–21).

42–43 Finally, linen undergarments are mentioned. These would prevent exposure of the priests’ nakedness while they were carrying out their duties. Such exposure was not appropriate in God’s Tent of Meeting (tabernacle), and it risked divine displeasure (Exodus 20:26)—even the sentence of death (verse 43).