Exodus 39:23 kjv
And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
Exodus 39:23 nkjv
And there was an opening in the middle of the robe, like the opening in a coat of mail, with a woven binding all around the opening, so that it would not tear.
Exodus 39:23 niv
with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear.
Exodus 39:23 esv
and the opening of the robe in it was like the opening in a garment, with a binding around the opening, so that it might not tear.
Exodus 39:23 nlt
with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would not tear.
Exodus 39 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 28:32 | And it shall have a hole for the head in the midst thereof...that it be not rent. | Original instruction for the robe's design. |
| Lev 10:6 | And Moses said unto Aaron...neither rend your clothes; lest ye die... | Prohibits priests from tearing garments in service. |
| Exo 31:3 | I have filled him with the spirit of God...in all manner of workmanship. | Divine empowering for skillful craftsmanship. |
| Exo 35:25-26 | Every wise hearted woman did spin with her hands...of blue, and of purple... | Skilled women's contribution to fabric weaving. |
| Num 15:39 | That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. | Garments remind of God's commands and holiness. |
| 1 Sam 2:18 | But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, clothed with a linen ephod. | Significance of priestly attire for service. |
| Zech 3:3-5 | And Joshua was clothed with filthy garments...I will clothe thee with change of raiment. | Cleansing and re-clothing for priestly purity. |
| Psa 133:2 | Like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard...down to the skirts of his garments; | Emphasizes sacredness and full consecration of priestly office. |
| Isa 61:10 | For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness... | Spiritual application of sacred garments; robes of righteousness. |
| John 19:23-24 | Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. | Jesus' seamless tunic, representing perfection and unity. |
| Heb 4:14 | Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... | Christ as our High Priest, fulfilling the priestly role. |
| Heb 7:26-28 | Such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners... | Christ's perfect priesthood, superior to the Aaronic. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come...by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place... | Christ's perfect sacrifice and entry as High Priest. |
| Matt 26:65 | Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy... | Caiaphas' act of tearing his robe; a desecration in a priestly role during trial. |
| Acts 14:14 | Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes... | Tearing clothes as a sign of distress and disapproval (contrast to priestly rules). |
| Rev 1:13 | And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot... | Description of Christ in priestly attire. |
| Rev 3:4-5 | ...and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy...will clothe him in white raiment... | Believers given white garments of righteousness. |
| Rev 7:9 | ...clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; | Saints in glory, clothed in robes symbolizing purity. |
| Rev 7:14 | These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes...in the blood of the Lamb. | Righteousness achieved through Christ's sacrifice. |
| Rev 19:8 | And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white... | The Bride of Christ adorned in righteous acts. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 23 Meaning
Exodus 39:23 describes the meticulous construction of the high priest's blue robe (me'il), specifically the head-opening. It details that this opening was reinforced with a durable, tightly woven binding, much like the collar of a strong piece of mail, to prevent it from tearing. This precise design ensured the garment's integrity, signifying the perfection and dignity required for the sacred service in the Tabernacle.
Exodus 39 23 Context
Exodus chapter 39 details the precise fulfillment of the divine commands given for constructing the Tabernacle and its sacred priestly garments. Following God's blueprint from Exodus 25-31 and specific instructions for garments in Exodus 28, this chapter recounts the skilled artisans, imbued with God's Spirit, faithfully executing every design. Verse 23 specifically describes the meticulous crafting of the me'il, the blue robe worn by the high priest beneath the ephod. Historically, the priestly garments were not mere attire but symbolic vestments that set apart the high priest for his unique mediatorial role. The integrity, beauty, and durability of each piece reflected the perfection and holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him in worship.
Exodus 39 23 Word analysis
- "And there was a hole": The Hebrew term is פֶּתַח (petaḥ), signifying an opening or doorway. Here, it refers to the carefully crafted aperture for the head in the high priest's me'il. This opening was essential for donning the garment and indicated a specific, functional part of the divinely designed robe.
- "in the midst of the robe": This detail specifies the precise, central placement of the head-opening. Its centered position was crucial for the robe's proper hang and dignified appearance, aligning with the overall meticulousness required for sacred Tabernacle items and priestly attire.
- "as the hole of a coat of mail": This comparison highlights the exceptional durability and robustness of the collar. While not actual armor, the Hebrew word implies a strong, tightly interwoven fabric, similar to a mail shirt, signifying its resistance to tearing. This strength was vital given the symbolic weight and frequent use of the sacred garments.
- "with a binding": The Hebrew for "binding" is שָׂפָה (saphah), meaning a border, edge, or lip. This indicates a reinforced rim or hem woven around the opening. This feature served as a protective collar, preventing the fabric from fraying or tearing, akin to a durable neckline.
- "about the hole, of woven work": The phrase "woven work" (מַעֲשֵׂה אֹרֵג ma'aseh oreg) emphasizes the highly skilled craftsmanship involved. This binding was not an added seam but an integrated part of the initial weaving process, showcasing the artistry and quality mandated for divinely ordained items.
- "that it should not rend": (לֹא יִקָּרֵעַ lo yiqqārea’): This clause states the explicit purpose of the design: to prevent tearing. For the high priest's robe, a tear would signify a defect, render the garment unfit, and potentially disqualify the priest from sacred service, contrasting with the required blamelessness.
Exodus 39 23 Bonus section
- The high priest's blue robe, the me'il, was one of the outermost layers worn over the linen tunic but beneath the ephod and breastpiece. Its solid blue color represented the heavens, emphasizing its divine origin and connection.
- The meticulous design to "not rend" underscores a larger biblical principle of order, perfection, and reverence in divine worship, contrasting sharply with any form of ritual impurity or brokenness.
- The artisan's work, like that described here, was Spirit-empowered (Exo 31:3), signifying that skill dedicated to God's service is divinely gifted and essential for upholding His standards.
Exodus 39 23 Commentary
Exodus 39:23 vividly illustrates the divine attention to detail in the construction of the high priest's me'il, specifically emphasizing the reinforced head-opening. The comparison to a "coat of mail" signifies extraordinary durability, vital for preventing tears in a garment that served in holy precincts. This seemingly minor detail carries profound theological weight. Tearing one's clothes, though common in expressions of grief or anger, was explicitly forbidden for priests during their sacred duties (Lev 10:6), symbolizing their unbroken consecration and the integrity required for approaching God. A torn garment would compromise the perfection necessary for divine service. This precise instruction foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, whose own garment was seamless and untorn (John 19:23-24). His unblemished garment mirrors His sinless life, perfect sacrifice, and eternal, flawless priesthood, embodying the ultimate fulfillment of integrity and divine perfection required for all who mediate or serve before a holy God.