Exodus 35 19

Exodus 35:19 kjv

The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.

Exodus 35:19 nkjv

the garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place?the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests.' "

Exodus 35:19 niv

the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary?both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests."

Exodus 35:19 esv

the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests."

Exodus 35:19 nlt

the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place ? the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests."

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 19 Meaning

The verse outlines two categories of specific garments required for priestly service in the tabernacle. Firstly, the "garments of service" which were for general ministration within the sacred precincts. Secondly, the highly sacred and specific "holy garments" for Aaron, the high priest, and the distinct garments for his sons, all of which were necessary for their roles as appointed priests, ensuring their sanctification and proper execution of sacred duties before God.

Exodus 35 19 Context

Exodus 35 details Moses relaying God's precise instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its associated articles, including the vestments for those serving within it. The chapter focuses on the community's involvement through free-will offerings and highlights the appointment of skilled artisans, Bezalel and Oholiab, for this sacred task. Historically, this occurs during Israel's wilderness journey after their exodus from Egypt. It establishes the foundational blueprint for their national worship system, emphasizing that all aspects of sacred service must align with divine decree. This meticulously defined attire was crucial, setting the Israelite priesthood apart from the often ornate or ritualistically unclean practices of pagan religions in the surrounding cultures.

Exodus 35 19 Word analysis

• the garments of service (בִּגְדֵי הַשְּׂרָד - bigde hashared): These are general, functional garments for everyday ministration within the Tabernacle, distinguishing priests during their regular duties from common individuals. The term shared implies specific work related to the care and maintenance of the sanctuary. These would likely be simpler, unadorned linen clothes for tasks like cleaning and removing ashes, ensuring cleanliness and reverence during ordinary priestly activities.
• for ministering (לְשָׁרֵת - lesharet): This denotes actively serving or officiating, with a strong sacred connotation. It signifies the primary function of the priests—to serve God. This act of ministering was not casual but was a consecrated duty.
• in the holy place (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ - baqqodesh): Refers to the sacred space of the Tabernacle itself, encompassing both the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. It defines the exclusive area where these specific garments were to be worn and where the priestly ministry took place, emphasizing the distinct separation required for interacting with God's dwelling.
• and the holy garments (וְהָאֶגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ - vehaba'igdei haqqodesh): Distinct from the "garments of service," these were the highly specific, ornate vestments described in detail in Exodus 28. These garments, worn by Aaron for major ceremonial duties, symbolized his role, Israel's presence before God, and the glory of God. Their "holiness" meant they were set apart exclusively for sacred use, ensuring that the high priest properly represented the people and protected him from divine judgment.
• for Aaron the priest (לְאַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן - le'aharon hakohen): This specifies the primary recipient of the "holy garments"—Aaron, who was designated as the High Priest. His unique role as mediator for the nation required distinct, highly symbolic attire.
• and the garments of his sons (וְהָאֶבְגְדֵי בָנָיו - v'habigdei vanav): Refers to the standard priestly garments worn by Aaron's descendants (the ordinary priests) who assisted in the Tabernacle. These were simpler (tunic, sash, turban) but still consecrated and required for their sacred duties, underscoring the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood.
• to minister as priests (לְשָׁרֵת בַּכֹּהֵן - lesharet bakohen): This concluding phrase is a broad statement of purpose for all the aforementioned garments. It highlights that the entire collection of garments, whether for everyday or high ceremonial use, facilitated their proper and acceptable service in their consecrated roles as God's ordained priests.

Words-group analysis

• "the garments of service, for ministering in the holy place": This phrase speaks to the routine, functional duties within the consecrated area. These vestments distinguished the priest's presence and work, ensuring purity and preventing defilement in sacred encounters, setting him apart for service.
• "and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons": This specifies the two levels of priestly attire within the Tabernacle service: the uniquely elaborate garments for Aaron, symbolizing his unique mediatorial and representational high priestly role, and the distinct yet simpler garments for his sons, the ordinary priests. This distinction established the hierarchy and specific responsibilities within the priesthood.
• "to minister as priests": This concluding statement binds all the mentioned garments together under a unified divine purpose. Regardless of their specific type or recipient (Aaron or his sons), their ultimate function was to enable these consecrated men to properly perform their roles as ordained servants of God, thereby validating their sacred acts and mediating for Israel before a holy God.

Exodus 35 19 Bonus section

• Symbolic Purity: The linen fabrics predominantly used for many of the priestly garments symbolized purity and cleanliness, reflecting God's demand for unblemished worship and moral integrity from His consecrated servants.
• Bearing Israel's Sins: The high priest's specific holy garments, especially the ephod and breastpiece with the names of the twelve tribes, visually symbolized that he bore the burdens and interceded for the entire nation before God, linking the priestly ministry directly to the people.
• Foundation for Future Revelation: These instructions for priestly garments established foundational principles of mediated access to God and the necessity of purity, which are later expanded and ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant through the perfect high priesthood of Jesus Christ, who offered himself as the final and complete sacrifice, enabling direct access for all believers.

Exodus 35 19 Commentary

Exodus 35:19 provides an overarching summary of the essential priestly vestments. The text highlights a duality in the garments: the functional "garments of service" for regular tasks and the highly specialized "holy garments" for Aaron and distinct, simpler garments for his sons. Both sets of attire were divinely mandated, signifying the purity, authority, and consecration required for sacred duty within the Tabernacle. The precision in distinguishing between these garments underscores that every aspect of approaching a holy God was to be done according to His explicit instructions, recognizing His absolute purity and the need for humanity's sanctified approach. These garments enabled priests to carry out their essential roles, symbolizing their sacred office and acting as a barrier to avert divine judgment during their unique ministry to the Lord on behalf of the Israelites.