Exodus 39:28 kjv
And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Exodus 39:28 nkjv
a turban of fine linen, exquisite hats of fine linen, short trousers of fine woven linen,
Exodus 39:28 niv
and the turban of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen.
Exodus 39:28 esv
and the turban of fine linen, and the caps of fine linen, and the linen undergarments of fine twined linen,
Exodus 39:28 nlt
The turban and the special head coverings were made of fine linen, and the undergarments were also made of finely woven linen.
Exodus 39 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 28:40 | "For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics...sashes and caps." | Divine command for priests' garments. |
| Ex 28:42-43 | "Make for them linen breeches...that they may not incur guilt." | Purpose of breeches for modesty and holiness. |
| Ex 40:14 | "You shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics..." | Moses' act of clothing Aaron's sons. |
| Lev 8:13 | "Moses brought Aaron’s sons and clothed them with tunics..." | Fulfillment of clothing the priests. |
| Lev 16:4 | "...He shall put on the holy linen tunic and have the linen breeches..." | High Priest's linen garments for atonement. |
| Num 4:6 | "...And cover it with a covering of goatskin and spread over it a cloth of pure blue..." | Covering holy objects in Tabernacle. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | "...He shall write for himself...that he may learn to fear the Lord..." | Obedience to written law. |
| Isa 61:10 | "He has clothed me with garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness." | Spiritual clothing of righteousness. |
| Ezek 44:17-18 | "When they enter...they shall wear linen garments...they shall not wear anything that makes them sweat." | Priestly linen for purity in temple service. |
| Zech 3:3-5 | "Joshua was clothed with filthy garments...“Behold, I have taken your iniquity away..." | Symbolic removal of impure garments. |
| Psa 132:9 | "May your priests be clothed with righteousness..." | Prayer for righteous priests. |
| Psa 104:1 | "O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty." | God's majestic clothing. |
| Matt 5:17-18 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law...but to fulfill it." | Jesus' fulfillment of the Law. |
| Rom 3:21-22 | "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested...through faith in Jesus Christ..." | Righteousness by faith, not law-keeping. |
| Rom 13:14 | "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." | Spiritual clothing in Christ. |
| Gal 3:27 | "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." | Clothed in Christ through baptism. |
| Eph 4:24 | "And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." | Spiritual new garments for believers. |
| Phil 3:9 | "Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith..." | Righteousness through Christ. |
| Col 3:10, 12 | "And have put on the new self...Put on then, as God’s chosen ones..." | Christian virtues as spiritual clothing. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest...let us with confidence draw near..." | Jesus our perfect High Priest. |
| 1 Pet 2:5, 9 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built...a royal priesthood..." | Believers as spiritual priests. |
| Rev 3:4-5 | "...They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy." | Symbol of purity and reward for believers. |
| Rev 7:9, 14 | "...A great multitude...clothed in white robes...made them white in the blood of the Lamb." | Saints in white robes, cleansed by Christ. |
| Rev 19:8 | "...Fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." | Fine linen symbolizes righteous acts. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 28 Meaning
Exodus 39:28 details specific garments made for the sons of Aaron, the priests. It lists a turban, breeches, and a sash, all meticulously crafted from fine linen with embroidered work. The verse emphasizes that these items were made "as the Lord had commanded Moses," highlighting the Israelites' exact obedience to God's divine instructions for the Tabernacle and its consecrated service.
Exodus 39 28 Context
Exodus 39 belongs to the latter portion of the book, which meticulously details the construction of the Tabernacle and its associated items, including the garments for the high priest and ordinary priests. Chapters 25-31 recorded God's specific commands and designs. Chapters 35-40 describe the execution of these commands, highlighting the skill of the artisans Bezalel and Oholiab and the diligent obedience of the Israelites. Verse 28 focuses specifically on the completion of the priestly attire for Aaron's sons, serving in the sanctuary. The making of these holy garments was paramount for the priests to approach the sacred space and minister before God, emphasizing their consecration and the absolute necessity of approaching a holy God in the prescribed manner, ensuring their protection from divine judgment while serving. This stands in contrast to common Near Eastern pagan practices, where religious rituals and vestments often lacked the precise divine mandate or emphasis on purity and modesty characteristic of Israel's worship.
Exodus 39 28 Word analysis
- and a turban: Hebrew u-migba'ot (וּמִגְבָּעוֹת). These are the head coverings specifically for the ordinary priests, the "sons of Aaron," distinct from the High Priest's mitsnefet. They were designed for holiness and distinction in their consecrated office, covering the head in service.
- of fine linen: Hebrew shesh (שֵׁשׁ). Refers to a very high quality, expensive, white linen, renowned for its purity and smoothness. This material is used repeatedly in Tabernacle furnishings and priestly garments, signifying purity, righteousness, and holiness in God's presence.
- and fine linen breeches: Hebrew u-mikhnesei vad (וּמִכְנְסֵי בַד). These are underwear, covering the body from the loins to the thighs. Commanded to be worn for modesty (Ex 28:42-43) so that the priests, when serving at the altar or in the Holy Place, would not expose their "nakedness" (Ex 20:26). This was critical to prevent profaning the sacred space or incurring guilt (punishment, even death) before a holy God.
- and a sash: Hebrew v'avnet (וְאַבְנֵט). This is a long girdle or belt that would have been wrapped around the priestly tunic. Functionally, it served to hold the tunic securely in place during active service. Symbolically, it suggests readiness and being "girded" for the work of the Lord, enabling priests to minister efficiently.
- of fine twisted linen: Hebrew shesh mashzar (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר). Reemphasizes the quality of the linen, specifically stating it was "twisted" or "spun," implying superior craftsmanship and durability, reflecting the glory and importance of divine service.
- with embroidered work: Hebrew ma'aseh roqem (מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵם). This denotes skilled needlework or patterned weaving, where designs were woven or stitched into the fabric. This indicates the beauty and artistry integrated into the priestly garments, highlighting that God appreciates excellence and glory in workmanship dedicated to Him. It showcases consecrated human skill.
- as the Lord had commanded Moses: Hebrew ka'asher tzivah Adonai et Moshe (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה). This concluding phrase (or similar variations) appears consistently throughout Exodus 39 (e.g., verses 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43). Its frequent repetition underscores the paramount importance of precise and complete obedience to divine instruction in all aspects of worship and service. It affirms that the Tabernacle and its associated elements, including the priestly attire, were not products of human ingenuity or tradition but entirely derived from God's explicit commands, thereby establishing the authority and sanctity of the process.
Exodus 39 28 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of "as the Lord had commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39 (appearing 10 times in this chapter and 19 times across Ex 39-40) is a literary device to emphatically assert the exact fulfillment of God's instructions. It assures the reader that every single item was made in perfect accordance with the divine blueprint, establishing the Tabernacle and its ministry as genuinely sacred and divinely authorized, rather than a human invention. The linen specified (Hebrew bad in some instances for breeches or high priest's clothing, shesh more broadly) denotes ritual purity, as linen does not harbor pests or accumulate odors as easily as other fibers. This further contributes to the theme of cleanliness and sanctification for service. The making of these garments represents the Israelites' participation in the covenant through their skilled labor, transforming their common abilities into acts of worship and obedience.
Exodus 39 28 Commentary
Exodus 39:28 encapsulates the divine directive for priestly attire, emphasizing specific garments (turban, breeches, sash) for the sons of Aaron, meticulously fashioned from "fine linen with embroidered work." This verse, like many others in Exodus 39, serves as an attestment to the precise and diligent obedience of the Israelites in constructing the Tabernacle and its elements according to God's exact blueprints. The quality material, "fine linen," underscores the purity and holiness required for those serving in God's presence, signifying a visual purity before a pure God. The breeches, specifically mentioned for modesty, ensured the priests' nakedness was covered, averting desecration and potential judgment. The recurrent phrase "as the Lord had commanded Moses" highlights divine sovereignty in worship and the essential role of absolute obedience, providing a clear pattern for all subsequent service to God. Every detail, down to the fabric and embroidery, was God-ordained, reflecting His glory, His meticulousness, and His demand for holiness in approach and service. These garments were not merely functional; they consecrated the wearer, setting them apart for sacred duty and ensuring their purity as they ministered in the Holy Place.