Exodus 28 43

Exodus 28:43 kjv

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Exodus 28:43 nkjv

They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.

Exodus 28:43 niv

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.

Exodus 28:43 esv

and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

Exodus 28:43 nlt

These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their priestly duties. Then they will not incur guilt and die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and all his descendants after him.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 43 Meaning

Exodus 28:43 commands that specific garments, namely the linen breeches mentioned in the preceding verse, must be worn by Aaron and his priestly descendants whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar for their sacred service. The purpose of this strict instruction is to prevent them from incurring guilt or iniquity, which would result in their death, underscoring the extreme holiness of God and the sacred space. This commandment was to be an enduring, perpetual ordinance for the priesthood.

Exodus 28 43 Context

Exodus 28 describes in detail the sacred garments of the High Priest Aaron and the garments for his sons, the priests. These garments were not merely ornamental; they were integral to their sanctification and qualification for service. The previous verses (28:40-42) explicitly commanded the making of coats, sashes, caps, and linen breeches for Aaron's sons, stating their purpose for "glory and for beauty" (Exo 28:40) and to cover their "nakedness." Verse 43, specifically referring to the breeches by implication ("they shall be on Aaron and on his sons"), underlines the absolute necessity of these garments for safety and ritual purity when serving God in the most sacred spaces – the Tent of Meeting and the Altar. The chapter's broader context is establishing the covenant relationship with God through defined worship, a chosen priesthood, and specific regulations to bridge the gap between a holy God and His people, highlighting the inherent danger in unholy proximity to divinity. Historically, this countered common pagan practices where nudity might have been part of cultic rituals or where divine presence was approached without the reverential purity God required.

Exodus 28 43 Word analysis

• And they shall be: Refers to the linen breeches (michnasayim מִכְנְסַיִם) commanded in Ex 28:42. These garments ensured modesty and reverence, particularly as priests ministered, sometimes ascending an altar which might expose them (cf. Exo 20:26). This underscored that sacred service was not a common activity but one requiring divine prescription.
• on Aaron and on his sons: Emphasizes the continuity and generational mandate of the priesthood. The requirements for holiness and proper attire were not limited to the High Priest but extended to all serving priests.
• when they come in unto the tent of meeting: Hebrew bo' (בוא) means to enter. The "Tent of Meeting" ('ohel mo'ed אוהל מועד) was the designated portable sanctuary where God met with Israel (Exo 25:22). This specific garment was required upon entry into any part of this sacred structure.
• or when they come near unto the altar: Hebrew qarab (קרב) means to draw near or approach, often used in a cultic sense of drawing near for worship or offering sacrifices. The "altar" (mizbeach מִזְבַּח) was where animal sacrifices and burnt offerings were made. This signifies that purity was required for all aspects of public worship within the tabernacle precincts.
• to minister in the holy place: Hebrew sharet (שרת) refers to serving or ministering, often in a sacred context. The "holy place" (qodesh קדֶשׁ) indicates the entire consecrated area of the tabernacle, reinforcing that the priestly duty was in a realm distinct from the common. Their service demanded constant awareness of God's purity.
• that they bear not iniquity, and die: Hebrew nasa' avon (נשא עוון) means to "carry sin" or "bear punishment for iniquity." This phrase expresses the serious consequence of disobedience or improper conduct in the presence of God's holiness. Neglecting the command for priestly attire meant incurring guilt (iniquity) that carried the death penalty. It underscores the danger of disrespecting God's prescribed holiness. The immediate divine judgment on Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1-2) illustrates this principle vividly.
• it shall be a statute for ever: Hebrew chuqat olam (חקת עוֹלָם) means a perpetual ordinance or an enduring decree. This highlights the permanent nature of God's commands regarding priestly sanctity for the duration of the Mosaic covenant, implying its foundational importance for Israel's worship.
• unto him and his seed after him: Reiterates the generational scope of the ordinance, ensuring that all subsequent priests in Aaron's lineage would abide by these regulations, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the priesthood through generations.

Exodus 28 43 Bonus section

The explicit mention of avoiding "iniquity and death" directly following the detail about priestly garments highlights a fundamental biblical truth: drawing near to God is profoundly dangerous without His specific provision and sanctification. The severity of the consequence (death) underscores that purity in ministry is not optional; it's a matter of life and death, reflecting God's absolute nature. The instruction about priestly attire serves as a visible boundary, teaching reverence, order, and distinction between the sacred and the profane. This Old Covenant law, while specific to the Aaronic priesthood, established enduring principles of holiness, preparation, and divine authority in worship, which find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, our perfect High Priest, and are spiritually applied to believers today through His covering and access.

Exodus 28 43 Commentary

Exodus 28:43 is a solemn injunction emphasizing the non-negotiable standards of holiness and reverence required for approaching a holy God. The specific instruction for linen breeches, part of the prescribed priestly attire, underscores the importance of visual purity, modesty, and the covering of what might be considered "nakedness" in the presence of divinity. This seemingly small detail carries immense theological weight: unauthorized access or service, even in minor matters, constitutes "iniquity" punishable by death. God's holiness demands adherence to His explicit instructions for approach. This served as a constant reminder that humanity cannot approach God on its own terms but must conform to His standards. This concept foreshadows the New Covenant understanding that perfect "clothing"—Christ's righteousness—is indispensable for all who now, as a royal priesthood, approach God through faith (1 Pet 2:9). The rigid Old Testament boundaries served to teach about the ultimate, unachievable human righteousness and the terrifying holiness of God, ultimately pointing to the necessity of a divine Mediator who could fulfill all righteousness.