Lev 8:7-9 | NET2full | STEP | Then he put the tunic on Aaron, wrapped the sash around him, and clothed him with the robe . Next he put the ephod on him and placed on him the decorated band of the ephod , and fastened the ephod closely to him with the band.

‏ Leviticus 8:7-9

7 Then he ^{▼▼sn Here Moses actually clothes Aaron (cf. v. 13 below for Aaron’s sons). Regarding the various articles of clothing see J. E. Hartley, Leviticus (WBC), 111-12 and esp. J. Milgrom, Leviticus (AB), 1:501-13.} put the tunic ^{▼▼sn The term “tunic” refers to a shirt-like garment worn next to the skin and, therefore, put on first (cf. Exod 28:4, 39-40; 29:5, 8; 39:27). Traditionally this has been translated “coat” (so KJV, ASV), but that English word designates an outer garment.} on Aaron, ^{▼▼tn Heb “on him”; the referent (Aaron) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} wrapped the sash around him, ^{▼▼tn Heb “girded him with the sash” (so NASB); NCV “tied the cloth belt around him.”} ^{▼▼sn The sash fastened the tunic around the waist (Exod 28:4, 39; 29:9; 39:29).} and clothed him with the robe. ^{▼▼sn The robe was a long shirt-like over-garment that reached down below the knees. Its hem was embroidered with pomegranates and golden bells around the bottom (Exod 28:4, 31-35; 29:5; 39:22-26).} Next he put the ephod on him ^{▼▼sn The ephod was an apron like garment suspended from shoulder straps. It draped over the robe and extended from the chest down to the thighs (Exod 28:4, 6-14, 25-28; 29:5; 39:2-7).} and placed on him ^{▼▼tn Heb “girded him with.”} the decorated band of the ephod, and fastened the ephod closely to him with the band. ^{▼▼sn The decorated band of the ephod served as a sort of belt around Aaron’s body that would hold the ephod closely to him rather than allowing it to hang loosely across his front (Exod 28:8, 27; 29:5; 39:5, 20).} 8 He then set the breastpiece ^{▼▼sn The breastpiece was made of the same material as the ephod and was attached to it by means of gold rings and chains on its four corners (Exod 28:15-30; 29:5; 39:8-21). It had twelve stones attached to it (representing the twelve tribes of Israel), and a pocket in which the Urim and Thummim were kept (see following).} on him and put the Urim and Thummim ^{▼▼sn The Urim and Thummim were two small objects used in the casting of lots to discern the will of God (see Exod 28:30; Num 27:21; Deut 33:8; 1 Sam 14:41 in the LXX and 28:6; Ezra 2:63 and Neh 7:65). It appears that by casting them one could obtain a yes or no answer, or no answer at all (1 Sam 28:6; J. E. Hartley, Leviticus [WBC], 111-12). See the extensive discussion in J. Milgrom, Leviticus (AB), 1:507-11.} into the breastpiece. 9 Finally, he set the turban ^{▼▼tn Although usually thought to be a “turban” (and so translated by the majority of English versions) this object might be only a “turban-like headband” wound around the forehead area (HALOT 624 s.v. מִצְנֶפֶת).} ^{▼▼sn The turban consisted of wound-up linen (cf. Exod 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6; 39:31; Lev 16:4).} on his head and attached the gold plate, the holy diadem, ^{▼▼sn The gold plate was attached as a holy diadem to the front of the turban by means of a blue cord, and had written on it “Holy to the Lord” (Exod 28:36-37; 39:30-31). This was a particularly important article of high priestly clothing in that it served as the main emblem indicating Aaron’s acceptable representation of Israel before the Lord (Exod 28:38).} to the front of the turban just as the Lord had commanded Moses.