Exodus 28:40 kjv
And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
Exodus 28:40 nkjv
"For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty.
Exodus 28:40 niv
Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron's sons to give them dignity and honor.
Exodus 28:40 esv
"For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty.
Exodus 28:40 nlt
"For Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings that are glorious and beautiful.
Exodus 28 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:2 | You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. | High priest's garments share the same purpose. |
| Exod 28:43 | So they shall be upon Aaron and his sons when they come into...that they may not incur guilt and die. | Garments essential for priestly purity. |
| Exod 39:27-29 | They also made tunics of fine linen...for Aaron and his sons, and the turban... | Description of the creation of these garments. |
| Lev 8:7-9 | Moses put the tunic on him...girded him with the sash... | Aaron’s investiture as priest. |
| Lev 8:13 | Then Moses brought Aaron's sons and clothed them with tunics and girded them with sashes and bound caps on them, as the LORD commanded Moses. | Investiture of Aaron's sons, fulfilling command. |
| Lev 10:8-11 | The LORD spoke to Aaron: “Drink no wine...when you go into the tent of meeting..." | Purity and distinction required of priests. |
| Num 3:5-8 | The LORD spoke to Moses: “Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron... | Levites appointed to assist priests. |
| Zech 3:3-5 | Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments... "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away..." | Symbolism of priestly clothing as righteousness. |
| Psa 96:6 | Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. | Divine glory and beauty reflected in worship. |
| 1 Chr 16:29 | Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name...worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. | Worship should be in glory and holiness. |
| Isa 61:10 | For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness... | Spiritual garments of righteousness for believers. |
| Eze 44:17-19 | When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments... | Priestly garments in future temple vision. |
| Heb 4:14-15 | Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God... | Jesus as our perfect High Priest. |
| Heb 5:1-4 | For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God... | Appointment and purpose of human priesthood. |
| Heb 7:26-28 | For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent... | Christ's perfect priesthood transcends old. |
| Heb 8:1-2 | Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven... | Christ ministering in the heavenly sanctuary. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tent... | Christ's superior sacrifice and access. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood... | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Believers' royal priesthood. |
| Rev 1:6 | ...and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father... | Believers' identity as priests in Christ. |
| Rev 19:8 | ...it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. | Righteousness as the spiritual garment. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in worship reflecting God's nature. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 40 Meaning
Exodus 28:40 commands the creation of specific garments – tunics, sashes, and caps – for Aaron’s sons, the priests. These vestments were essential for their consecrated service, signifying their divine appointment and distinction from the common people. The verse explicitly states their purpose: "for glory and for beauty," emphasizing that these garments reflected the majesty and perfection of God, bringing honor and dignity to the sacred service performed in the Tabernacle. They visually reinforced the solemnity and holiness of priestly duties.
Exodus 28 40 Context
Exodus 28:40 falls within a detailed section of the book concerning the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for Israel's wilderness wanderings. Chapters 25-31 outline God's specific instructions for the Tabernacle and its various elements, emphasizing divine design and precision in all things related to worship. Chapter 28, in particular, focuses exclusively on the sacred garments prescribed for Aaron and his sons, who were consecrated to serve as priests. This verse specifically addresses the garments for Aaron’s sons, distinguishing them from the High Priest’s more elaborate attire (covered in earlier verses of the same chapter) yet establishing their equally vital role in holy service.
Historically and culturally, these priestly garments served several crucial purposes. In ancient Near Eastern societies, religious functionaries often wore distinctive clothing to set them apart. For Israel, these garments were not mere uniforms or a source of personal pride. They were divinely ordained, symbolizing the holiness and consecration required for approaching God. They were designed to instill reverence and highlight the sanctity of the Tabernacle services, which were the focal point of Israel’s covenant relationship with God. They also stood in stark contrast to the often grotesque or morally corrupt practices of pagan priesthoods, emphasizing the order, purity, and aesthetic beauty fitting for the worship of the one true God.
Exodus 28 40 Word analysis
- For Aaron’s sons (וּלְבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן, ûlĕvênê ʾaharōn): Establishes the specific recipients of these garments, distinguishing them from Aaron himself, the High Priest, who had a more elaborate set of garments (Exod 28:2-39). This highlights the hierarchy within the priesthood and the specific duties assigned to each role. Their priestly function was inherited through the lineage of Aaron (Exod 29:9).
- also (גַּם, gam): Implies these instructions are additional to, and distinct from, those given for Aaron's personal attire, emphasizing a complete set of priestly vestments for all the authorized ministers.
- you shall make (תַּעֲשֶׂה, taʿăseh): A direct divine command to Moses, underscoring that these garments are not optional or humanly conceived, but originate from God’s will. This speaks to the divinely ordered nature of Israel’s worship.
- tunics (כְּתֹנֹת, kĕthōnōth): Refers to a long, shirt-like inner garment, typically made of fine linen (Exod 39:27). Linen symbolized purity and separation. This basic garment covered the priest's body and extended down to his feet, ensuring modesty and cleanliness in service (Exod 28:42-43).
- sashes (אַבְנֵט, ʾavnēṭ): Belts or girdles, often woven and embroidered (Exod 39:29). These were used to fasten the tunic, providing a neat appearance and allowing freedom of movement for service. Symbolically, a sash represents readiness and preparation for work (Lk 12:35).
- caps (מִגְבָּעוֹת, migbāʿōth): Turbans or head coverings. These were distinct from the more ornate "miter" of the High Priest (מִצְנֶפֶת, mitsnephet). The caps provided dignity and conformity to all priests, while signifying reverence in God’s presence.
- for them (לָהֶם, lāhem): Re-emphasizes the personal appropriation and designation of these garments for the sons.
- for glory and for beauty (לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרָה, lĕḵāḇôḏ ûlĕtifʾārāh): This phrase is key.
- Glory (כָּבוֹד, kāḇôḏ): Conveys honor, weight, majesty, and splendor. In this context, it indicates the exalted nature of the priestly office and the sacredness of the Tabernacle service. It’s not human glory, but the reflected glory of God in whose service they acted.
- Beauty (תִּפְאָרָה, tifʾārāh): Conveys magnificence, splendor, or ornament. It signifies that God's work is done with excellence, order, and aesthetic appeal. The garments were not haphazard but designed to be visually appealing, reflecting God's own appreciation for order and perfection. This also meant that the priests appeared dignified, worthy representatives before both God and man.
Exodus 28 40 Bonus section
The specific choice of materials for these garments, primarily fine linen, further emphasized the qualities of purity and holiness required for those serving in God's presence. Linen, being white, naturally conveyed a sense of cleanliness. The uniformity in their attire (compared to the High Priest’s unique garments) signified their collective service and shared identity as representatives of God to Israel, and Israel to God. This unity in purpose, visually reinforced by their clothing, was crucial for an orderly and reverent worship environment. The command "you shall make" highlights God’s complete authority over all aspects of worship, dictating even the appearance of those who serve Him, ensuring that all honor is directed to Him.
Exodus 28 40 Commentary
Exodus 28:40 concludes the detailed instructions for priestly vestments, focusing specifically on the common priests. The precise nature of these garments was not arbitrary but profoundly symbolic and functional. They visually distinguished the priests, setting them apart as consecrated individuals exclusively dedicated to God's service. The emphasis on "glory and beauty" underscored that the garments were not for mere aesthetics or personal adornment, but rather to bring honor and reverence to God and His worship. They instilled dignity in the priests themselves and respect from the people.
This command highlights God's meticulous care for order, purity, and solemnity in worship. The garments shielded the priests from divine judgment during their sacred duties (Exod 28:43), ensuring their acceptable approach before God. Ultimately, these tangible garments foreshadowed the spiritual purity and righteousness required for true access to God. They pointed to Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, who wears no earthly garments but is clothed in intrinsic glory, having perfectly fulfilled all requirements for spiritual access to God for humanity. For New Covenant believers, the concept shifts from physical garments to spiritual adornments—the righteousness of Christ, enabling a royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5, 9).