Exodus 28:1-5·~1 min

Garments for the Priests

The LORD calls Aaron and his sons into priestly service and commands that holy garments be made for them by skilled craftsmen. The garments and their materials are named as part of Aaron’s consecration for ministry.

“¹Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. ²Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. ³You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest. ⁴These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests. ⁵They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

Section summaryThe chapter opens by naming Aaron and his sons for priestly service and by calling for holy garments made with skill and costly materials. These garments are meant for consecration, giving visible glory and splendor to the office they bear.

Role in the chapterThis section introduces the whole chapter by naming both the priests and the garments that will set them apart. It frames the clothing not as ornament alone but as part of their consecrated service before the LORD.