Exo 28 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Exod 28:1-43: 28:1-43 These glorious and beautiful (28:2 ) garments for Aaron were to distinguish him as a priest set apart (Hebrew qadash , “consecrated”) for [the Lord ’s] service (28:3 ). The magnificence of these garments is in keeping with the grandeur of the Tabernacle, which functioned as a portable earthly palace for God. There would come a day when Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, would enter the Most Holy Place once for all, and the distinction between priests and people would fade away (Heb 10:11-22 ). Until that time, human mediators were needed to symbolize the wonderful thing that God was planning to do in the hearts, lives, and behaviors of those with whom he shared his presence. Summary for Exod 28:1-2: 28:1-2 The garments described in this chapter are primarily those for Aaron, the first high priest. The clothing for Aaron’s sons, who functioned as his assistants, is described in 28:40-43 .

Summary for Exod 28:1-43: 28:1-43 ^a These glorious and beautiful (28:2 ^b) garments for Aaron were to distinguish him as a priest set apart (Hebrew qadash, “consecrated”) for [the Lord’s] service (28:3 ^c). The magnificence of these garments is in keeping with the grandeur of the Tabernacle, which functioned as a portable earthly palace for God. There would come a day when Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, would enter the Most Holy Place once for all, and the distinction between priests and people would fade away (Heb 10:11-22 ^d). Until that time, human mediators were needed to symbolize the wonderful thing that God was planning to do in the hearts, lives, and behaviors of those with whom he shared his presence.
Summary for Exod 28:1-2: 28:1-2 ^e The garments described in this chapter are primarily those for Aaron, the first high priest. The clothing for Aaron’s sons, who functioned as his assistants, is described in 28:40-43 ^f.
Summary for Exod 28:6-14: 28:6-14 ^g The ephod was a kind of apron consisting of front and back pieces joined by shoulder straps (28:7 ^h) and secured by a decorative sash (28:8 ⁱ, 27-28 ^j). Perhaps it is mentioned first because it was understood to be the distinctive high priestly garment. The fact that Gideon later made a gold ephod (Judg 8:27 ^k) suggests that the garment was thought to have special powers.
28:12 ^l names on his shoulders (cp. Isa 9:6 ^m): The badge of office on the shoulder indicated what the person was really carrying. Thus, the high priest represented the people before God, and with his royal garments he represented the glory of God before the people.
Summary for Exod 28:15-30: 28:15-30 ⁿ More attention is given to the chestpiece than to any other item, suggesting the importance attached to it. It apparently symbolized the priest’s representation of Israel (28:17-21 ^o, 29 ^p) and was a container for the Urim and Thummim, by which God made his will known (28:30 ^q). The chestpiece represented the totality of the high priest’s tasks of bringing the people to God and bringing God’s word to the people.
28:29 ^r The high priest would go into the Holy Place (the outer room of the sanctuary) to trim the lamp, replace the bread on the table, and replenish the incense on the altar that stood outside the Most Holy Place.
28:30 ^s The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew terms that might translate as lights [or curses] and perfections) were apparently a pair of stones that were thrown down to get a yes or no answer from God. No physical description of these objects exists; their use is further explained in Num 27:21 ^t; Deut 33:8 ^u; 1 Sam 28:6 ^v; Ezra 2:63 ^w; and Neh 7:65 ^x.
Summary for Exod 28:31-35: 28:31-35 ^y The robe worn under the ephod is described. The bells signaled that the priest was still moving and had not been struck dead by God’s presence (see Lev 10:1-2 ^z). Jewish tradition tells us that the priest had a cord tied to his ankle so that if he died in the Holy Place (Exod 28:35 ^aa), his body could be dragged out.
Summary for Exod 28:36-38: 28:36-38 ^ab Like all the other elements of the high priest’s clothing and activities, the medallion worn on the front of the turban was to remind the people that God is holy, and his holiness had implications for their entering his presence. God wished to dwell with his people, but his holiness would destroy them unless he took preventative steps. God determines the way into his presence; we do not. The central question of the Bible is how a sinful people can live in the presence of a holy God so that God can share his holy character with them. Ultimately, the answer is provided in Jesus Christ, the Holy One of God who is the perfect mediator (Luke 4:34 ^ac; Heb 9:11-15 ^ad). He did not die only to rescue us from the consequences of our sin, but so that God can live in us, reproducing his holy character in us (Eph 2:10 ^ae; 4:22 ^af; Phil 1:27 ^ag; 1 Pet 1:13-16 ^ah).
28:39 ^ai Apparently the tunic was a shirt worn under the robe (see 29:5 ^aj).
Summary for Exod 28:42-43: 28:42-43 ^ak Expressions of sexuality were a frequent part of pagan religion, as worshipers attempted to control the powers of fertility. In some cases, priests served their deities in the nude. Not even a hint of sexual manipulation was acceptable in the worship of the Lord. His blessings could not be achieved through magical manipulation. Thus, even unintentional display of the genitals was guarded against.