Exodus 28:42

42 `And make thou for them linen trousers to cover the naked flesh: they are from the loins even unto the thighs;

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 `And for the sons of Aaron thou dost make coats, and thou hast made for them girdles, yea, bonnets thou dost make for them, for honour and for beauty;
41 and thou hast clothed Aaron thy brother with them, and his sons with him, and hast anointed them, and hast consecrated their hand, and hast sanctified them, and they have been priests to Me.
42 `And make thou for them linen trousers to cover the naked flesh: they are from the loins even unto the thighs;
43 and they have been on Aaron and on his sons, in their going in unto the tent of meeting, or in their drawing nigh unto the altar to minister in the sanctuary, and they do not bear iniquity nor have they died; a statute age-during to him, and to his seed after him.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.