Exodus 29:5 kjv

And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:

Exodus 29:5 nkjv

Then you shall take the garments, put the tunic on Aaron, and the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the intricately woven band of the ephod.

Exodus 29:5 niv

Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.

Exodus 29:5 esv

Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod.

Exodus 29:5 nlt

Dress Aaron in his priestly garments ? the tunic, the robe worn with the ephod, the ephod itself, and the chestpiece. Then wrap the decorative sash of the ephod around him.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 5 Meaning

Exodus 29:5 details the specific ceremonial act of vesting Aaron with the designated holy garments as part of his ordination into the high priesthood. This meticulous clothing process symbolizes the divine appointment, transfer of sacred authority, and preparation for service within the Tabernacle, setting him apart for his mediatorial role between God and Israel. Each garment holds specific spiritual and functional significance, essential for Aaron to rightly approach the presence of God.

Exodus 29 5 Context

Exodus 29 forms a crucial part of the Mosaic Law, detailing the elaborate seven-day consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons to serve as priests in the Tabernacle. This chapter immediately follows the divine instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and designing the priestly garments (Ex 25-28). The context is the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, God's chosen intermediaries between Himself and the nation of Israel. Verse 5, specifically, outlines the first stage of this consecration: the symbolic act of clothing Aaron. This process was paramount, signifying separation, purification, and endowment with authority for holy service. Historically, priesthoods existed in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, often serving their gods and king. However, Israel's priesthood was uniquely designated by Yahweh, emphasizing strict purity and prescribed actions to approach the Holy God, contrasting sharply with often ritualistically defiled pagan practices.

Exodus 29 5 Word analysis

• And you shall take (וְלָקַחְתָּ - ve'laqachta): From the Hebrew verb laqach, meaning "to take, to receive, to acquire." Here, it's a direct command to Moses, highlighting his divinely delegated role in initiating Aaron's priesthood. It implies appropriation for a specific, holy purpose.
• the garments (הַבְּגָדִ֔ים - ha'b'gadim): The definite article "the" (ha) specifies these are not just any clothes but the particular "holy garments" meticulously described in Exodus 28. These distinct vestments set the high priest apart visually and ritually.
• and put on Aaron (וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־אַהֲרֹ֔ן - ve'hilbashta et-Aharon): From labash, "to clothe," in the hiphil (causative) stem, meaning "you shall cause to wear" or "you shall clothe." Moses' direct action under divine command underlines that Aaron's authority originates from God through Moses, not self-appointed. This is a foundational act of empowerment.
• the tunic (אֶת־הַכֻּתֹּ֙נֶת֙ - et-ha'kuttonet): A long linen inner garment, prescribed in Ex 28:39. It represents basic purity and humility, worn directly on the priest's body.
• and the robe (וְאֶת־הַמְּעִ֖יל - ve'et-ha'me'il): An outer garment of blue, worn over the tunic, described with golden bells and pomegranates on its hem (Ex 28:31-35). Its sound indicated the High Priest's presence as he moved in the Holy Place, safeguarding him from death.
• and the ephod (וְאֶת־הָאֵפֹ֑ד - ve'et-ha'ephod): A very distinctive priestly vestment made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen (Ex 28:6). It had two onyx stones on the shoulders with the names of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the priest's bearing the burden and remembrance of the people before God. It was closely associated with divine inquiry (via Urim and Thummim, though not mentioned in this verse directly).
• and the breastpiece (וְאֶת־הַחֹ֥שֶׁן - ve'et-ha'choshen): Specifically, the "breastpiece of judgment" (choshen mishpat). This was attached to the ephod and contained twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel (Ex 28:15-21). It signified the high priest's role in intercession and bearing the tribes' identity before God's judgment seat. It also contained the Urim and Thummim, used for discerning God's will (Ex 28:30).
• and gird him (וְאָסַרְתָּ֣ - ve'asarta): From asar, meaning "to bind, fasten, gird." Girding implies preparing for active, vigorous service. It tightens the flowing robes, making movement efficient.
• with the skillfully woven band of the ephod (בְּחֵ֤שֶׁב הָאֵפֹד֙ - be'cheshev ha'ephod): This is the woven belt or sash (Ex 28:8) made of the same rich materials as the ephod itself. Its purpose was to secure the ephod firmly to the body, emphasizing stability and preparedness for active duty.

Word-groups analysis:

• "take the garments and put on Aaron": This sequence underscores Moses' role as the one divinely appointed to invest Aaron with the physical emblems of his spiritual office. It’s an act of commission from God through His chosen leader.
• "the tunic and the robe and the ephod and the breastpiece": The specific order in which these outer garments are listed suggests a ceremonial layering, from the innermost (tunic) outwards, building up the priestly attire. Each garment added another layer of symbolism and responsibility.
• "gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod": This phrase details the final step of securing the main outer vestment. "Skillfully woven" (cheshev) highlights the craftsmanship and divine design behind the garments, not mere practical wear, but holy artifacts. It also emphasizes readiness and commitment to duty.

Exodus 29 5 Bonus section

The act of Moses clothing Aaron, rather than Aaron dressing himself, emphasizes that priestly authority is derived solely from God's appointment, not self-ordination or human selection. This initial clothing by Moses served as a physical confirmation of divine commissioning. Furthermore, the sheer weight of these intricate garments (described in Ex 28 as having gold, precious stones, fine linen, etc.) underscores the literal and symbolic weight of the high priestly office, representing the responsibility of bearing the tribes of Israel before the Lord and interceding on their behalf. The precise details counter any ad hoc worship, establishing order and the profound sanctity of approaching the Creator. This was also a subtle polemic against surrounding pagan cults where priests might wear specific attire, but theirs lacked the divine blueprint and the ultimate holy purpose.

Exodus 29 5 Commentary

Exodus 29:5 provides a focused snapshot of the central act of priestly consecration: the donning of the sacred vestments. This was more than a mere costume change; it was a profound ritual symbolizing Aaron's transition from an ordinary man to God's chosen high priest. Each piece of clothing, previously described in minute detail (Exodus 28), carried specific theological weight, signifying holiness, separation, divine appointment, and the unique responsibility of representing both God to the people and the people before God. The physical act of putting on these holy garments visibly represented the spiritual truth of being set apart, purified, and empowered by God's authority. This preparation was crucial, for only through proper investiture could Aaron legitimately mediate, offering sacrifices and seeking God's counsel on behalf of the Israelites, thus establishing a divinely ordained order for worship and governance in the Tabernacle. This Old Testament emphasis on specific garments for service beautifully prefigures the "garments of salvation" and "robe of righteousness" believers receive in Christ, our true and perfect High Priest, enabling us to approach God without fear.

Examples of practical usage:

• Christians "putting on" Christ (Gal 3:27; Rom 13:14) as a way of life, reflecting His character and virtues (Col 3:12).
• Understanding that spiritual service requires preparation and being "clothed" in righteousness and truth (Eph 6:11, "whole armor of God").