Exodus 28 42

Exodus 28:42 kjv

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Exodus 28:42 nkjv

And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.

Exodus 28:42 niv

"Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh.

Exodus 28:42 esv

You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs;

Exodus 28:42 nlt

Also make linen undergarments for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from their hips to their thighs.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 42 Meaning

Exodus 28:42 mandates the creation of linen trousers for the priests, Aaron and his sons, to be worn during their sacred service. The purpose is explicitly stated: to cover their nakedness. This requirement ensures the priests maintain modesty, dignity, and ritual purity in the presence of God, specifically covering from their loins down to their thighs. This command underscores the extreme holiness of God and the sacred space, preventing any shame, defilement, or improper exposure during their ministration, especially when ascending the altar or performing various priestly duties.

Exodus 28 42 Context

Exodus chapter 28 meticulously details the design and purpose of the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons, who were consecrated to serve as priests. These garments were not merely functional; they were to be "for glory and for beauty" (Exod 28:2), signifying the high honor and dignity of their office. They were divinely prescribed, distinguishing Israelite priesthood from surrounding pagan practices.

This specific verse, Exodus 28:42, focuses on an often overlooked but crucial undergarment. While chapters 28 and 39 describe the more prominent garments like the ephod, breastpiece, tunic, and turban, the linen trousers ensured fundamental modesty. Historically, priests in some ancient Near Eastern cultures might have performed rituals scantily clad or even naked. Yahweh's command directly polemicizes against such pagan practices, establishing strict purity and reverence for His holy service. The necessity of these breeches was especially pertinent when ascending the altar, as implied by the earlier instruction in Exodus 20:26 that the altar should not have steps that would expose nakedness. The priests' purity, symbolized by their full and proper attire, reflected the absolute holiness of the God they served and the sacredness of the Tabernacle itself.

Exodus 28 42 Word analysis

• And you shall make for them: This indicates a direct, divine command given to Moses for the priests. It is not optional but a specific requirement from God.
• linen (בָד - vad): Refers to fine linen, a material consistently associated with purity, cleanliness, and holiness in the Bible. It was distinguished from wool, which could cause sweat (Ezek 44:18), leading to ritual impurity, and was often associated with everyday garments rather than sacred attire. Linen signified detachment from worldly impurities.
• trousers (מִכְנְסֵי - miknesei): Specifically "drawers" or "breeches," covering the lower body. This garment was distinct from the main priestly tunic, designed for modesty.
• to cover their nakedness (לְכַסּוֹת בָּשׂר עֶרְוָה - lekhassot basar ervah):
  • to cover (לְכַסּוֹת - lekhassot): The verb kasah means to conceal, to cover over, indicating an action to prevent exposure.
  • their nakedness (עֶרְוָה - ervah): This Hebrew term denotes uncovered genitals, a state of shame, disgrace, or indecency. The command directly addresses the vulnerability and impropriety of exposing this part of the body, particularly in sacred contexts.
• from the loins (מִמָּתְנַיִם - mimmatnayim): The "loins" refer to the lower back and pelvic region. This precise instruction ensures that the breeches began high enough to provide complete coverage.
• even to the thighs (וְעַד הַיְרֵכַיִם - ve'ad hayerekhayim): The "thighs" refer to the upper legs. This specification ensures that the breeches extended far enough down, preventing any inadvertent exposure during movement, bending, or ascending ramps, thus maintaining the sacred dignity required for their holy service.
• Words-group: "to cover their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach.": This phrase establishes the specific functional requirement and boundary for the priestly trousers. It underlines that any form of public exposure or impropriety was unacceptable in divine worship. It contrasts with pagan fertility rites which sometimes involved nudity, emphasizing the purity and ethical uprightness of Yahweh's worship. This specific detailing signifies the meticulousness God required in His service and the seriousness with which potential profanation was viewed. The garment ensured dignity not just for the priests but for the worship itself before God.

Exodus 28 42 Bonus section

The specific choice of "linen" (בד - vad) for these breeches and other priestly garments (Exod 39:27-28; Lev 16:4) is significant. Unlike wool, which could cause the priest to sweat, linen was believed to absorb sweat, preventing its ritual impurity (Ezek 44:18). This demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's commands, encompassing both obvious modesty and subtle ritual purity, reflecting the divine desire for complete perfection in the sanctuary and in the lives of those ministering before Him. The instruction against ascending the altar by "steps" in Exodus 20:26 (which implies ramps were used instead) directly ties into the necessity for the linen trousers, ensuring full coverage even during bodily movements that might expose priests if only an outer tunic were worn.

Exodus 28 42 Commentary

Exodus 28:42, though a concise command about a humble garment, holds profound theological significance. It reinforces the paramount importance of holiness and purity in drawing near to God. The linen trousers prevented any physical nakedness from being exposed, particularly when priests served at the altar or within the Tabernacle, emphasizing respect for God's holiness. This modesty was not merely about human decency but was integral to maintaining ritual purity and avoiding spiritual defilement that could result in death, as indicated in the subsequent verse (Exod 28:43). It was a distinct mark of Yahweh's covenant people, whose worship required reverence and order, standing in stark contrast to the often licentious and immodest practices of surrounding cultures.

This divine mandate for physical covering symbolizes a deeper truth: our need for spiritual covering before a holy God. Just as the priests needed specific garments for their ministration, humanity needs righteousness to stand before God. In the New Covenant, believers, who are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), are clothed not with physical linen, but with the righteousness of Christ (Phil 3:9), the "garments of salvation" (Isa 61:10), allowing us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence through Him.