Exodus 28:42

42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach:

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.


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 "You shall make coats for Aharon's sons, and you shall make sashes for them and headbands shall you make for them, for glory and for beauty.
41 You shall put them on Aharon your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the Kohen's office.
42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach:
43 They shall be on Aharon, and on his sons, when they go in to the tent of meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place; that they don't bear iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.