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Exodus 28

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Easy Bible・Exodus 28

The Priestly Garments

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Passages

Key Passages

Exodus 28:2
Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor.

About this Chapter

In Exodus 28, God gives detailed instructions to Moses about the garments that the priests should wear. These garments were to be made with fine linen and skillfully crafted with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. The priests were to wear a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. The breastpiece was to be adorned with twelve precious stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The ephod was to have two shoulder pieces with onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes. The robe was to be blue and have pomegranates and bells attached to its hem. The turban was to have a gold plate with the inscription 'Holy to the Lord.' These garments were not only for the priests' physical adornment, but they also symbolized their role as mediators between God and the people. The breastpiece, in particular, was an important part of the priestly garments. It was to be a square piece folded in half, and it was to contain the Urim and Thummim, which were used to seek God's guidance and make decisions. The Urim and Thummim were believed to be objects through which God would communicate His will. When the priest wore the breastpiece, it served as a constant reminder of the priest's responsibility to seek God's guidance and to make decisions in accordance with His will. The priestly garments were not only meant to set the priests apart, but they also had a deeper spiritual significance. They represented the holiness and purity that the priests needed to embody as they approached God on behalf of the people. The garments were a visual representation of the priests' consecration and their role as intermediaries between God and the Israelites. Just as the priests were set apart and consecrated for their role, we too are called to be a holy priesthood, set apart for God's purposes, and to represent Him to the world.

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