Exodus 28:42

42 Also thou shalt make to them linen breeches, that they cover the flesh of their filth[hood], from the reins unto their hips. (And thou shalt make linen breeches for them, so that they cover their naked flesh, from their reins unto their hips.)

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 Forsooth thou shalt make ready to Aaron's sons linen coats, (that is, linen clothes,) and girdles, and mitres, into glory and fairness. (And thou also shalt make fine linen shirts, or tunics, and sashes, and peaked caps, for Aaron's sons, for their glory and beauty, or for their glory and grandeur.)

41 And thou shalt clothe Aaron, thy brother, with all these, and his sons with him. And thou shalt (anoint them, and make) sacred the hands of them all; and thou shalt hallow them, that they be set in priesthood to me. (And thou shalt clothe thy brother Aaron, and his sons, with all these things. And thou shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and ordain, or install, them, so that they can serve as my priests.)

42 Also thou shalt make to them linen breeches, that they cover the flesh of their filth[hood], from the reins unto their hips. (And thou shalt make linen breeches for them, so that they cover their naked flesh, from their reins unto their hips.)

43 And Aaron and his sons shall use those breeches, when they shall enter into the tabernacle of witnessing, or when they nigh to the altar, that they minister in the saintuary, lest they be guilty of wickedness, and die; it shall be a lawful thing everlasting to Aaron, and to his seed after him. (And Aaron and his sons shall use those breeches, whenever they shall enter into the Tabernacle of the Witnessing, or when they approach the altar, to minister in the sanctuary, lest they be guilty of wickedness, and die; this shall be an everlasting law for Aaron, and for his descendants after him.)