Exodus 28 Study Notes

28:31-34 The colors, precious stones, fine materials and specialized workmanship, and certainly the bells that went into making the priest’s clothing contributed to marking the high priest and drawing attention to his work and movements.

28:35 To wear the specified clothing would show that the priest recognized the sanctity of the holy place because of God’s presence, just as Moses and the Israelites had to do at the burning bush and at Mount Sinai (3:5; 19:10-24).

28:36-37 The phrase Holy to the Lord indicated ownership—“belonging to.” The priest was marked as someone devoted to the Lord for service, representing the Israelites, who were likewise to be holy (19:5-6; 22:31; Lv 11:44-45). The same words are used to describe the Sabbath in Ex 31:15 (cp. Ezr 8:28; Jr 2:2-3; Zch 14:20-21).

28:38 In place of and as representatives of the rest of the Israelites, Aaron and his sons were responsible to care for the tabernacle and present offerings there (Nm 17:12-18:7). The high priest would bear the guilt (or suffer the consequences) associated with failure to observe the requirements of holiness (cp. v. 43). In that process the people needed a high priest marked by holiness to offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord (Heb 7:25-28).

28:39-40 Aaron’s sons refers to other priests besides the high priest. They were not to wear robes but only tunics, sashes, and headbands plus a turban.

28:41 Ceremonial anointing involved pouring oil on a person to designate the start of a new role in life. Among those anointed were priests, kings, and prophets (30:30; Jdg 9:8; 1Sm 9:16; 1Kg 19:16). Objects such as the altar and tabernacle also could be anointed to set them apart for holy uses (Ex 29:36; 40:9-11).

28:42-43 Unlike the Canaanite practices, the worship of the Lord was to have no hint of sexuality (J. Alec Motyer).