Exodus 39:27 kjv
And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exodus 39:27 nkjv
They made tunics, artistically woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons,
Exodus 39:27 niv
For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen?the work of a weaver?
Exodus 39:27 esv
They also made the coats, woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons,
Exodus 39:27 nlt
They made tunics for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth.
Exodus 39 27 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Exod 28:39-40 | "You shall weave the tunic of fine linen, and you shall make the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work... for Aaron and for his sons..." | Divine command for priestly tunics; direct parallel for construction. |
Lev 8:7 | "And he put the tunic on him, and girded him with the sash..." | Aaron's investiture with the tunics, showing the practical use. |
Lev 16:4 | "He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and he shall have the linen trousers on his body..." | Specific linen garments for the Day of Atonement, emphasizing purity. |
Lev 16:32 | "The priest who is anointed and consecrated... to minister in the priest's office... shall put on the holy linen garments." | Holiness required for the high priest's linen garments for atonement. |
Ezek 44:17-18 | "When they enter the gates... they shall be clothed with linen garments... not gird themselves with anything that causes sweat." | Future priestly garments in the Temple, reiterating linen's purity and function. |
Dan 10:5 | "I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen..." | Vision of an angelic being, indicating linen's association with divine holiness. |
Rev 1:13 | "One like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe..." | Heavenly priestly figure of Christ, implying garments of authority. |
Rev 15:6 | "And from the temple came the seven angels... clothed in pure, bright linen..." | Angels in linen, signifying purity and righteousness in heavenly service. |
Rev 19:8 | "And it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." | Fine linen symbolizes the righteous acts of God's people (bride of Christ). |
1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood..." | Believers as a spiritual priesthood, implying spiritual purity in service. |
1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Emphasizes the calling of all believers to spiritual priesthood. |
Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship." | God empowering craftsmen (Bezalel/Oholiab) for building Tabernacle elements. |
Exod 35:25 | "Every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they brought what they had spun, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine linen." | Women contributing fine linen, indicating its origin from human skill. |
Deut 6:25 | "And it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God..." | Obedience to God's commands as righteousness, linking to the obedient creation of garments. |
Isa 61:10 | "For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness..." | Spiritual garments of salvation and righteousness, foreshadowed by priestly robes. |
Phil 3:9 | "Not having a righteousness of my own... but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." | Christ's perfect righteousness replacing self-righteousness, an ultimate "garment". |
Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... not through the blood of goats and calves but through his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." | Christ's perfect high priesthood, superior to the Aaronic priesthood and its garments. |
Heb 10:19-22 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean..." | Believers drawing near to God through Christ's sacrifice, fulfilling the symbolism of cleansing. |
Zech 3:3-4 | "Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments... 'Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.'" | Priestly cleansing and receiving clean garments, symbolizing removal of sin. |
Rev 22:14 | "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates." | Spiritual washing and pure robes as access to eternal life, echoing purity for worship. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 27 Meaning
Exodus 39:27 details the creation of the priestly tunics, specifying that they were crafted from fine linen, the work of a weaver. This verse highlights the precise execution of God's divine commands for the Tabernacle and its associated service, specifically for Aaron and his sons who were consecrated for the priesthood. These tunics were the innermost garments, essential for purity and a proper approach to God in sacred service.
Exodus 39 27 Context
Exodus 39 forms part of the culmination of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically the garments for priestly ministry. Chapters 35-39 detail the execution of the divine blueprints given in chapters 25-31. This verse, Exodus 39:27, is nested within the description of crafting the holy garments for Aaron the high priest and his sons, fulfilling the specific instructions outlined in Exodus 28. It emphasizes the faithful and meticulous adherence to every detail of God's command.
Historically, this took place shortly after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle, and the specific garments worn by its priests, were crucial in establishing the ceremonial and spiritual life of Israel, mediating between a holy God and His chosen people. The garments underscored the sanctity of the priestly office and the separation required for those who ministered directly before the Lord. Their construction involved skilled artisans empowered by God, transforming raw materials into sacred objects of worship, contrasting with the often crude and pagan vestments of surrounding cultures.
Exodus 39 27 Word analysis
- And they made (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - wa-yaʿaśu): This phrase emphasizes the diligent and complete fulfillment of God's specific commands. The "they" refers to the skilled craftsmen—Bezalel, Oholiab, and other divinely gifted workers and the community as a whole (Exod 31:2-6, 35:30-35). It signifies not just human labor but a cooperative effort guided by divine wisdom.
- the tunics (הַכָּתְנֹת - ha-kotnot): These were the basic, innermost garments for all priests. The Hebrew ketonet (plural kotnot) refers to a tunic or a long shirt, often made of linen, worn next to the skin (Gen 37:3 for Joseph's tunic; 2 Sam 13:18). In the priestly context, it represents humility and purity, providing foundational covering before God.
- of fine linen (שֵׁשׁ - shesh): Shesh specifically denotes "fine white linen" or "byssus." This was a highly valued, luxurious, and notably pure material in the ancient Near East, contrasting with common wool or darker fabrics. Its brilliant whiteness immediately symbolizes purity, cleanliness, and holiness—qualities paramount for approaching a holy God. It stands in direct contrast to garments stained by sin or uncleanness.
- woven work (מַעֲשֵׂה אֹרֵג - maʿăśēh ʾōrēg): Maʿaseh means "work" or "craftsmanship," and ʾōrēg means "weaver." This specifies that the fine linen was to be crafted by weaving. Unlike other garments which had specific intricate designs (e.g., embroidered ephod), the tunic was primarily a plain, woven garment, implying simplicity and underlying structural integrity, yet still made with great skill.
- for Aaron and for his sons (לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו - lĕʾaharōn ûlĕvānāyw): This indicates the specific recipients and users of these holy garments. Aaron was the first high priest, and his sons (and their descendants) were appointed to serve as regular priests. This emphasizes the divinely ordained and hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood, distinguishing them from all other Israelites and signifying their exclusive role in mediatorial worship.
Exodus 39 27 Bonus section
The consistent emphasis on "fine linen" (שֵׁשׁ - shesh) for priestly garments, and later for angels and the saints in Revelation, signifies more than just cleanliness. In a world where clothing often identified status or profession, this particular material for those who serve God communicates ultimate holiness and purity derived from God Himself. It sets a visual standard for those representing the divine to humanity, creating a powerful symbol understood by the ancient Israelite mind. Furthermore, the detailed description of how each part of the Tabernacle and its implements, including these tunics, were made according to the divine pattern (Exod 25:9) serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereignty over worship. Any deviation from His plan was unacceptable, underscoring that true religion is defined by God's terms, not man's.
Exodus 39 27 Commentary
Exodus 39:27, though seemingly a simple statement of fact, encapsulates profound theological truths. It signifies meticulous obedience to God's detailed instructions for the priestly vestments. The fine linen tunic, the innermost priestly garment, speaks volumes about the purity required for service in God's presence. "Fine linen" in Scripture consistently represents righteousness and holiness, a principle foundational to the Old Covenant's worship system. For the priests, this garment symbolized their separation and the clean-ness demanded when ministering for a holy God, covering their humanity with a representation of divine expectation. The "woven work" implies the care and divine guidance behind their creation.
This verse quietly points to God's attention to every detail of worship, from the grand Tabernacle to the clothing of its ministers. It prefigures the spiritual purity required for all who would approach God—not by our own merit but by the provision He makes. In the New Testament, believers are called a "royal priesthood," ministering not with linen tunics but by the imputed righteousness of Christ, our perfect High Priest. The fine linen also beautifully foreshadows the "righteous deeds of the saints" in Revelation, where spiritual garments symbolize character formed by faithful obedience to Christ.
For practical application, this verse reminds us that approaching God (whether in prayer, worship, or service) should be done with seriousness and a desire for purity. We do not need physical tunics, but our hearts should be clothed with humility, reverence, and the righteousness freely given by Christ. It emphasizes that acceptable worship flows from God's prescribed way, not human invention, and that God always provides the means to fulfill His commands, empowering those He calls for service.