Exodus 28:3 kjv
And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exodus 28:3 nkjv
So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
Exodus 28:3 niv
Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
Exodus 28:3 esv
You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
Exodus 28:3 nlt
Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.
Exodus 28 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge..." | God fills artisans with His Spirit. |
| Exod 35:10 | "And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded..." | Call to skilled workers. |
| Exod 35:31 | "He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in skill, in understanding, and in knowledge for all kinds of work..." | God grants specific abilities for sacred craft. |
| Exod 35:35 | "He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work..." | Divine empowerment for craftsmanship. |
| 1 Kgs 7:14 | "He was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to do any work in bronze." | Divine gifting for artisans like Hiram. |
| Neh 9:20 | "You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them..." | God's Spirit instructs and enables His people. |
| Exod 28:41 | "You shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests." | Consecration for priestly ministry. |
| Exod 29:1 | "Now this is what you shall do to consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests." | Instructions for priestly consecration. |
| Exod 29:7 | "Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him." | Anointing for priestly consecration. |
| Exod 29:9 | "Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a lasting ordinance..." | Establishing the Aaronic priesthood. |
| Lev 8:12 | "Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him." | Aaron's specific anointing. |
| Lev 8:30 | "Moses took some of the anointing oil... and sprinkled it on Aaron and on his garments..." | Consecrating garments for the priest. |
| Num 3:3 | "These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to minister in the priest's office." | Priesthood is by divine ordination. |
| Heb 5:1 | "For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God..." | The office of the High Priest. |
| Heb 5:4 | "And no one takes this honor upon himself, but he receives it when he is called by God, just as Aaron was." | Divine calling essential for priesthood. |
| Heb 7:26 | "For such a high priest was fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens." | Christ's perfect and consecrated priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| Exod 28:2 | "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty." | Purpose and aesthetic of the priestly garments. |
| Exod 39:1 | "Moreover, from the blue and purple and scarlet material, they made finely woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary..." | The making of sacred garments. |
| Isa 61:10 | "He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with a robe of righteousness..." | Symbolic garments representing righteousness. |
| Rev 19:8 | "It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." | Symbolic garments representing purity. |
| John 15:16 | "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit..." | Divine choosing for ministry. |
| Rom 1:1 | "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God..." | Apostolic calling and separation for service. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers... for the equipping of the saints..." | God equips believers for ministry roles. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 3 Meaning
Exodus 28:3 states God's directive to Moses to engage specific individuals for the task of crafting the sacred garments for Aaron. These chosen individuals are characterized as "wise-hearted," a wisdom explicitly identified as a divine endowment, filled by God's own Spirit. The ultimate purpose of these meticulously designed garments is to consecrate Aaron, setting him apart as holy for his unique office, enabling him to properly minister to God as the high priest.
Exodus 28 3 Context
Exodus chapter 28 initiates the detailed instructions from God concerning the garments to be worn by Aaron and his sons in their priestly service. These instructions directly follow the specifications for the Tabernacle's construction, indicating that the priesthood, and their attire, were integral components of Israel's divinely ordained worship system. The historical context reflects a deliberate design by God to establish a distinct, holy, and structured form of worship for Israel, in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and idolatrous religious practices of surrounding nations. The garments were not mere adornments but sacred vestments, vital for Aaron's consecration and enabling him to enter God's presence and mediate for the people in holiness.
Exodus 28 3 Word analysis
And thou shalt speak (וְאַתָּה תְדַבֵּר - Ve'atta tedabber): This is a direct, imperative command from God to Moses, emphasizing Moses' role as the divinely appointed mediator of God's will and instructions to the people, especially concerning sacred matters.
unto all that are wise hearted (אֶל-כָּל-חַכְמֵי-לֵב - el kol chachmei-lev):
- chachmei-lev: Literally "wise of heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב - lev) encompasses not just emotions but also intellect, will, understanding, and inner disposition. Therefore, "wise-hearted" refers to individuals possessing skill, discernment, aptitude, and practical intelligence, particularly for artistic craftsmanship.
- This term implies an innate or developed talent that is now divinely recognized and purposed for sacred use.
whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom (אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּאתִיו רוּחַ חָכְמָה - asher mille'tiv ruach chochmah):
- mille'tiv: "I have filled." This emphasizes the divine origin of their unique ability. Their wisdom and skill are not merely natural endowments or learned crafts but are supernaturally gifted by God Himself for a specific purpose.
- ruach chochmah: "spirit of wisdom." This refers to a spiritual enablement specifically for craftsmanship and creative tasks, distinct from general wisdom. It is a divine inspiration for skilled work, highlighting God's active involvement in enabling His servants for tangible, sacred construction.
that they may make (וְעָשׂוּ - ve'asu): This indicates the direct practical outcome and purpose of their divine empowerment. The goal of being "wise-hearted" and Spirit-filled is active service – to construct and create.
Aaron's garments (בִּגְדֵי אַהֲרֹן - bigdei Aharon): Refers to the sacred, divinely prescribed attire specifically for the High Priest. These were not generic clothes but holy vestments, each element laden with specific design and symbolic meaning, differentiating them as sacred for approaching God.
to consecrate him (לְקַדְּשׁוֹ - leqaddesho):
- leqaddevsho: "to make him holy," "to set him apart." The purpose of these garments is to render Aaron sanctified and distinct for his sacred office. The act of wearing these specific garments is integral to the ritual and spiritual process of consecrating the High Priest. It marks him as exclusively dedicated to God's service.
that he may minister unto me in the priest's office (לְכַהֵן לִי - lekkahen li):
- lekkahen: "to serve as priest." This denotes the execution of priestly duties, involving mediation between God and man, performing sacrifices, and presiding over the Tabernacle services.
- li: "to me." This crucial particle underscores that Aaron's priestly ministry is exclusively directed towards God, for God's glory and according to His explicit commands. It is not for the benefit of man primarily, but for God.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom": This phrase links natural talent with supernatural endowment. God does not just use talent; He perfects and empowers it through His Spirit. This also serves as a theological statement that the source of true competence for sacred service originates from God's Spirit, countering any pride in human ingenuity alone.
- "make Aaron's garments to consecrate him": This emphasizes the functional and ritualistic purpose of the garments. They are not merely ornamental, but indispensable instruments in the consecration process, marking Aaron as sacred and set apart for the precise demands of his holy office. The garments embody and facilitate holiness.
- "that he may minister unto me in the priest's office": This reveals the ultimate telos or goal of all the prior steps – the divinely enabled craftsmen, the special garments, and the act of consecration – culminating in proper, authorized service to God. It highlights the serious nature of approaching God in ministry, which requires meticulous preparation and divine sanction.
Exodus 28 3 Bonus section
- The instruction in Exodus 28:3 regarding the divine enabling of artisans for sacred craft profoundly elevates the value of practical and creative skills within the spiritual realm. This stands in contrast to common societal tendencies to prioritize intellectual or oratorical gifts over manual ones. In God's economy, crafting the Tabernacle and its vestments was as much a Spirit-filled work as prophecy or teaching, showcasing the divine value for artistry in His service.
- This principle foreshadows the diverse spiritual gifts given to believers in the New Testament church (e.g., in Rom 12, 1 Cor 12), where varying abilities, from teaching to acts of service to administration, are all empowered by the same Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ.
- The emphasis on God filling individuals with His Spirit for particular tasks demonstrates God's proactive role in preparing and equipping His people. It highlights that God doesn't just give commands; He also provides the means and ability to fulfill them, reassuring His servants that their weaknesses are met with His divine strength and provision.
Exodus 28 3 Commentary
Exodus 28:3 encapsulates profound theological principles concerning God's precise demands for worship and His provision for its execution. It reveals that sacred service requires specific, God-given enablement beyond mere human skill. The "wise-hearted" individuals are not simply naturally gifted artisans; their proficiency is divinely enhanced by the "Spirit of wisdom." This principle asserts that all true spiritual labor, including creative and practical work for God's sanctuary, is empowered by Him. The meticulous crafting of the priestly garments is crucial for Aaron's consecration, demonstrating that every detail in approaching God is important and divinely orchestrated. The ultimate aim—"that he may minister unto me in the priest's office"—underscores the sanctity of the priestly role and the requirement that all ministry must be done according to God's explicit will and for His glory. This verse sets a high standard for service, reminding us that ability, anointing, and adherence to divine instruction are all essential for effective and acceptable worship before God.