Exodus 39 1

Exodus 39:1 kjv

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:1 nkjv

Of the blue, purple, and scarlet thread they made garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:1 niv

From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:1 esv

From the blue and purple and scarlet yarns they made finely woven garments, for ministering in the Holy Place. They made the holy garments for Aaron, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:1 nlt

The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth ? clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 1 Meaning

Exodus 39:1 describes the initiation of making the specific garments for service in the holy place and the sacred garments for Aaron, the High Priest, emphasizing that every detail of their creation was in precise adherence to the divine commands given by the LORD to Moses. It highlights the use of precious materials: blue, purple, and scarlet threads, indicating their significant value and sacred purpose in Tabernacle worship.

Exodus 39 1 Context

Exodus chapter 39 forms part of the detailed narrative of the Tabernacle's construction and the creation of its associated sacred items and priestly vestments. Chapters 25-31 contain God's explicit instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding these things, while Chapters 35-40 record the meticulous fulfillment of those commands. Verse 1 specifically transitions from the Tabernacle's internal components (like the ark, table, menorah in earlier chapters) to the preparation of the unique garments worn by priests during their holy service. This immediate context underscores the intense focus on detail, quality, and strict adherence to God's pattern, establishing the holiness and order required for approaching God's presence. Historically, this account sets Israel apart from surrounding cultures where pagan deities might be appeased with human-initiated rituals; here, every element of worship is divinely revealed and commanded, ensuring pure and acceptable service to the one true God.

Exodus 39 1 Word analysis

• And of the blue (וּמִן־הַתְּכֵלֶת, ūmin-hattekhelet): "Blue" (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet) refers to a highly prized indigo or violet-blue dye, traditionally thought to come from the murex snail. It symbolized heaven, divinity, and purity. Its inclusion indicates the sacredness and royal nature associated with God and His dwelling place.
• and purple (וְאַרְגָּמָן, wə’argaman): "Purple" (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) was a costly reddish-purple dye, also derived from sea snails, signifying royalty, wealth, and power. It pointed to the divine majesty of God and the exalted status of the High Priest who represented Him.
• and scarlet (וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי, wətolachat shani): "Scarlet" (תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי, tolachat shani) was a bright crimson dye derived from a parasitic insect (coccus ilicis). This color often represented life, vitality, sacrifice, and earthly royalty. In a sacred context, it foreshadows atonement and cleansing.
• they made clothes of service (עָשׂוּ בִגְדֵי שְׂרָד, asu bigdei sherad): "Clothes of service" (בִגְדֵי שְׂרָד, bigdei sherad) are specific garments designated for ministering or attending to the holy things within the Tabernacle. These were practical, protective, and distinct, perhaps for the ordinary priests or for handling holy items during transport. This highlights the practical aspect of ministry alongside its spiritual demands.
• to do service in the holy place (לְשָׁרֵת בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, ləsharēt bakqodesh): "To do service" (לְשָׁרֵת, ləsharēt) implies an active, dedicated ministry or attendance. "In the holy place" (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, bakqodesh) refers to the Tabernacle sanctuary itself, underscoring that all actions performed with these garments were for a consecrated purpose and within a consecrated space, for approaching the divine.
• and made the holy garments for Aaron (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר לְאַהֲרֹן, wayya‘asū et-bigdei hakkodesh asher lə’aharon): "Holy garments for Aaron" (בִּגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר לְאַהֲרֹן, bigdei hakkodesh asher lə’aharon) specifically denotes the more elaborate, distinct attire of the High Priest, as detailed in Exodus 28. These were garments of "glory and for beauty," designed for Aaron alone, marking his unique mediatorial role.
• as the LORD commanded Moses (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה, ka’asher tzivvah Yahweh et-mosheh): This phrase is a recurring refrain throughout Exodus 35-40, appearing 18 times in Chapter 39 alone. It serves as the bedrock principle for all construction and emphasizes divine authority, strict obedience, and the faithfulness of Moses and the artisans. It negates any human improvisation or independent creativity in divine worship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet": This tri-color combination, frequently seen in the Tabernacle's fabric work (curtains, veil), signifies the totality and richness of divine revelation and the heavenly aspects of the sanctuary. These are not merely decorative but deeply symbolic materials, connecting earth to heaven, humanity to divinity. Their costliness further denotes the supreme worth of God and the sacrifices made for His worship.
• "they made clothes of service...and made the holy garments for Aaron": This distinguishes between garments for general service (for common priests or Tabernacle work) and the specific, highly symbolic attire reserved for Aaron, the High Priest. This differentiation reflects the tiered nature of access and roles within the priestly system, ultimately pointing to Christ's unique and supreme high priestly ministry.
• "to do service in the holy place": This phrase ties the specific attire directly to the function and location of sacred ministry. It underlines that these garments were not for everyday wear but exclusively for consecrated activities within God's consecrated dwelling place, stressing the holiness required of those who minister to God.
• "as the LORD commanded Moses": This repeated formula acts as a crucial theological assertion. It confirms that the entire enterprise, down to every thread and color, was entirely by divine blueprint, not human design or whim. This ensures the purity of worship, sets boundaries for human creativity in religious practice, and validates the efficacy of the Tabernacle system because it originated wholly with God. It speaks to God's meticulous nature and His desire for orderly, reverent worship performed exactly according to His will.

Exodus 39 1 Bonus section

The craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab, divinely gifted for this precise work (Exod 31:3-5), would have overseen the preparation of these fine textiles. The fibers themselves, likely fine linen twisted with these colored threads, indicate not only the material value but also the extraordinary skill and dedication of the artisans. The repeated affirmation of "as the LORD commanded Moses" serves as a counter-narrative to common ancient Near Eastern practices, where cultic rituals and priestly vestments often arose from human ingenuity or syncretistic absorption of local traditions. In Israel, true worship was entirely prescribed by Yahweh, setting a divine standard for holiness, order, and reverence, with no room for human addition or subtraction. The exactitude of the divine pattern conveyed the profound seriousness with which God views proper worship and the necessary consecration of those who draw near to Him on behalf of His people.

Exodus 39 1 Commentary

Exodus 39:1 opens the detailed account of the fulfillment of God's instructions for the Tabernacle's priestly garments. It is far more than a mere record of textile production; it's a testament to the meticulousness of God's design and the obedience demanded in His service. The specific colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—were highly valued and carried deep symbolic meaning, speaking to God's heavenly nature, royalty, and the atoning sacrifice necessary for communion with Him. The distinction between "clothes of service" for general ministry and "holy garments" for Aaron emphasizes the varied roles and the unique dignity of the High Priesthood. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" is the verse's theological bedrock. It underlines divine authority as the source of all liturgical practice, human accountability in its execution, and the purity of worship rooted in God's revealed will rather than human invention. This precise adherence ensures the efficacy and acceptability of their worship, pointing forward to Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who perfectly fulfilled God's will in His atoning work and ministry.