New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Exodus 28
1
"Have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the people of Israel. His sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar must also be brought. They will serve me as priests.
Reference
2
"Make sacred clothes for your brother Aaron. When he is wearing them, people will honor him. They will have respect for him.
Reference
Glory
Job 40:10
Exodus 28:40
Holy
Exodus 31:10
Leviticus 8:30
Revelation 19:8
Hebrews 7:26
Parallel theme
Revelation 5:10
3
"Speak to all of the skilled workers. I have given them the skill to do this kind of work. Tell them to make clothes for Aaron. He will wear them when he is set apart to serve me as priest.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 1:17
Proverbs 2:6
Exodus 35:30
Exodus 35:25
Spirit
Ephesians 1:17
Isaiah 11:2
Deuteronomy 34:9
4
They must make a chest cloth, a linen apron, an outer robe, an inner robe, a turban and a belt. They must make sacred clothes for your brother Aaron and his sons. Then they will serve me as priests.
Reference
5
Have them use fine gold wire, and blue, purple and bright red yarn, and fine linen.
6
"Make the linen apron out of fine gold wire, and out of blue, purple and bright red yarn, and out of finely twisted linen. Have a skilled worker make it.
7
It must have two shoulder straps joined to two of its corners.
8
"Its skillfully made waistband must be like it. The waistband must be part of the apron itself. Make the waistband out of fine gold wire, and out of blue, purple and bright red yarn, and out of finely twisted linen.
Reference
9
"Get two onyx stones. Carve the names of the sons of Israel on them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 28:13
10
Arrange them in the order of their birth. Carve six names on one stone and six on the other.
11
Carve the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a jewel cutter carves a seal. "Then put the stones in fancy gold settings.
12
Connect them to the shoulder straps of the linen apron. The stones will stand for the sons of Israel. Aaron must carry the names on his shoulders as a reminder while he is serving me.
Reference
13
Make fancy gold settings.
14
Make two braided chains out of pure gold. Make them like ropes. Join the chains to the settings.
15
"Make a chest cloth that will be used for making decisions. Have a skilled worker make it. Make it like the linen apron. Use fine gold wire, and blue, purple and bright red yarn, and finely twisted linen.
16
Make it nine inches square. Fold it in half.
17
"Put four rows of valuable jewels on it. Put a ruby, a topaz and a beryl in the first row.
Reference
18
Put a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald in the second row.
19
Put a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst in the third row.
20
And put a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper in the fourth row. Put them in fancy gold settings.
21
"Use a total of 12 stones. Use one for each of the names of the sons of Israel. Each stone must be carved like a seal with the name of one of the 12 tribes.
Reference
References Israel
Revelation 21:12
22
"Make braided chains out of pure gold for the chest cloth. Make them like ropes.
23
Make two gold rings for the chest cloth. Connect them to two corners of it.
24
Join the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the chest cloth.
25
Join the other ends of the chains to the two settings. Join them to the shoulder straps on the front of the linen apron.
26
"Make two gold rings. Connect them to the other two corners of the chest cloth. Put them on the inside edge next to the apron.
27
Make two more gold rings. Connect them to the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front of the apron. Put them close to the seam. Put them right above the waistband of the apron.
28
The rings of the chest cloth must be tied to the rings of the apron. Tie them to the waistband with blue cord. Then the chest cloth will not swing out from the linen apron.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 15:38
29
"When Aaron enters the Holy Room, he will carry the names of the sons of Israel over his heart. Their names will be on the chest cloth of decision. They will be a continuing reminder while he is serving me.
Reference
Song of Solomon 8:6
Judgment
Exodus 28:30
Exodus 28:15
References Israel
Romans 10:1
References Lord
Exodus 28:12
Jeremiah 30:21
30
"Also put the Urim and Thummim into the chest cloth. Then they will be over Aaron's heart when he comes to serve me. In that way, Aaron will always have what he needs to make decisions for the people of Israel. He will carry the Urim and Thummim over his heart while he is serving me.
Reference
Judgment
Numbers 27:21
Parallel theme
Nehemiah 7:65
Ezra 2:63
Deuteronomy 33:8
Leviticus 8:8
Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 9:24
Hebrews 9:12
References Lord
1 Samuel 28:6
Zechariah 6:13
31
"Make the outer robe of the linen apron completely from blue cloth.
32
In the center of the robe, make an opening for the head of the priest. Make an edge like a collar around the opening. Then it will not tear.
33
"Make pomegranates out of blue, purple and bright red yarn. Sew them around the hem of the robe. Sew gold bells between them.
34
Sew a gold bell between every two pomegranates all around the hem of the robe.
35
"Aaron must wear the robe when he serves. The bells will jingle when he enters the Holy Room while he is serving me. And they will jingle when he goes out. Then he will not die.
Reference
Holy
Hebrews 9:12
36
"Make a plate out of pure gold. Carve words on it as if it were a seal. Carve the words set apart for the Lord.
Reference
37
Tie the plate to the front of the turban with a blue cord.
38
"Aaron must wear it on his forehead all the time. He will be held accountable for all of the sacred gifts the Israelites set apart. Then I will accept the gifts.
Reference
Holy
Leviticus 10:17
Isaiah 56:7
Parallel theme
Leviticus 1:4
References Lord
Leviticus 23:11
Sin
1 Peter 2:24
Numbers 18:1
Hebrews 9:28
John 1:29
2 Corinthians 5:21
Leviticus 22:9
39
"Make the inner robe out of fine linen. And make the turban out of fine linen. Have the belt made by a person who sews skillfully.
40
"Make inner robes, belts and headbands for Aaron's sons. When they are wearing them, people will honor them. They will also have respect for them.
Reference
41
"Put all of the clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons. Then pour olive oil on them and prepare them to serve me. Set them apart to serve me as priests.
Reference
43
Aaron and the priests who are in his family line must wear it when they enter the Tent of Meeting. They must wear it when they approach the altar to serve in the Holy Room. Then they will not be found guilty and die. "For all time to come, that will be a law for Aaron and the priests who are in his family line.
Reference
Sacrifice
Exodus 20:26
Leviticus 17:7
Sin
Leviticus 5:17
Leviticus 5:1
Leviticus 22:9
Numbers 18:22
Temple
Exodus 27:21
Summary of Exodus 28
Exodus 28 contains instruction concerning the garments that Aaron and his sons shall wear as priests before God. This chapter follows on the instructions that God had given about the tabernacle and its furnishings. The focus turns to the men who will serve there. Their clothes are not described as normal garments. God instructs Moses concerning clothing that will set them apart for this work before Him.
God instructed Moses to bring Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar before Him. Aaron shall serve as the chief priest while his sons minister along with him. Skilled workers are to make special garments for Aaron. These shall endow him with honor and dignity for his service before God.
The garments include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a coat made of fine linen, a mitre, and a belt. They are to be made of fine materials and decorated with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. This work will require people to have been gifted for this task.
The first garment described is the ephod. It was to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen. The gold is worked into this by skilful workmen. The ephod has two shoulder pieces that are joined at the top so that it may well lie upon Aaron's shoulders.
Two onyx stones are placed on the shoulder pieces. The names of the children of Israel are engraved upon them. Six names on one stone and six on the other, according to the order of their birth. These serve as a memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear upon his shoulders the names of the tribes of Israel when he goes into the sanctuary.
The ephod also has a carefully made girdle that secures it. The materials used in this match those of the ephod. The whole of this garment shall close so that it fits Aaron closely and securely while he performs his duties.
The next garment called the breastplate of judgment is made of similar material to the ephod. It is square in shape and was folded to make a pouch with four rows of precious stones in it. There were three in each row, making twelve stones in total.
Each one of the stones was to represent one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name of one tribe is engraved on each stone. In this way the names of all twelve tribes of Israel were carried close to Aaron's heart whenever he went into the sanctuary.
The breastplate is attached to the ephod by means of gold rings and chains so that it may well stay in place. Gold settings and woven cords were used to attach it to the shoulder pieces. God had given Moses the detailed instructions for this because the breastplate had to remain in the right place.
The chapter also contains instruction concerning the Urim and the Thummim. They were placed into the breastplate of judgment. Aaron was to carry them over his heart whenever he went before the Lord. The text does not describe what these objects looked like or how they worked. However, they were associated with seeking the judgment of God for Israel.
Aaron also received a ribboned robe to wear underneath the ephod. The robe was made of blue material and had an opening for his head and a reinforced edge to prevent tearing.
There were pomegranates decorated around the lower edge of the robe. They were made of blue, purple, and scarlet material and placed round the robe. Between these pomegranates were golden bells. Whenever Aaron moved while he was ministering in the sanctuary these bells would sound.
God explained the significance of these bells. Aaron was to wear the robe when he ministered before the Lord and the sound of the bells would be heard when he went into and out of the holy place. The whole of this was connected with Aaron's safety as he ministered in the Lord's presence.
The chapter also describes a coat that was to be woven. It was to be made of fine linen. Aaron was also to wear a mitre, or special head covering, made from fine linen. A belt was also to be made using similar material and in the same colors as the other garments that Aaron was to wear.
A gold plate was also made and placed on the front of Aaron's head covering. The words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" were engraved on to it and it was attached to the mitre by a blue cord so that it stayed on Aaron's forehead.
The gold plate had a particular responsibility. Aaron was to bear the obligation of the holy things that the children of Israel brought as offerings before God. He was to have the plate on his forehead so that their offerings before the Lord could be accepted.
God then gave instruction concerning the garments that Aaron's sons were to wear. They were to wear coats, belts, and head coverings. These were to be made for their honor and dignity so that they may serve as priests. Aaron and his sons were to wear these garments whenever they ministered in the tabernacle.
The chapter contains instruction concerning how Aaron and his sons were to be prepared for their priestly duties. They were to be anointed, consecrated, and sanctified so that they could serve as priests for God. Their garments were part of this process that set them apart to serve.
Exodus 28 contains an instruction that makes it clear what role Aaron and his sons will play among the Israelites. Aaron was not only serving for himself. The garments that he wore were constantly reminding him of the whole nation. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were upon his shoulders and close to his heart. He bore these as he went into the sanctuary and represented his people before God.
The chapter also shows that the priests were to approach their duties seriously and they were to make sure that the work was done right. The garments that they wore reminded them that they were in a place set apart for God's service. They were to use specific materials, colors, shapes, and the garments had special responsibilities to carry them out.
The twelve stones that were attached to the breastplate were particularly important. This kept the people of Israel in the mind of the priest. Even though these people were separated into twelve tribes the priest bore all their names together when he went into the holy place. The shoulder stones and the breastplate served as a constant reminder of the Israelites before God.
The bells that were attached to Aaron's robe also added a practical note to the description. The sound of these bells would give away when he was moving inside the sanctuary. The gold plate on his forehead was another reminder of his responsibilities, declaring that he was set apart for the Lord.
The chapter ends with the description of Aaron's role as priest. His garments showed the position that he held among the people and his responsibilities in representing his people before God. His sons would serve alongside him as priests and wear the garments that were made for their service.
The chapter prepares the reader for the next part of the instructions that concern those who will serve as priests. The tabernacle now has its holy vessels, its structure, its altar, and its courtyard. Exodus 28 adds the people who will serve there and gives specific instruction about the clothes that they are to wear before they minister there. These instructions show that worship at the tabernacle will involve regular service that will be set apart in accordance with the commands that God had given to Moses.
God instructed Moses to bring Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar before Him. Aaron shall serve as the chief priest while his sons minister along with him. Skilled workers are to make special garments for Aaron. These shall endow him with honor and dignity for his service before God.
The garments include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a coat made of fine linen, a mitre, and a belt. They are to be made of fine materials and decorated with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. This work will require people to have been gifted for this task.
The first garment described is the ephod. It was to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen. The gold is worked into this by skilful workmen. The ephod has two shoulder pieces that are joined at the top so that it may well lie upon Aaron's shoulders.
Two onyx stones are placed on the shoulder pieces. The names of the children of Israel are engraved upon them. Six names on one stone and six on the other, according to the order of their birth. These serve as a memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear upon his shoulders the names of the tribes of Israel when he goes into the sanctuary.
The ephod also has a carefully made girdle that secures it. The materials used in this match those of the ephod. The whole of this garment shall close so that it fits Aaron closely and securely while he performs his duties.
The next garment called the breastplate of judgment is made of similar material to the ephod. It is square in shape and was folded to make a pouch with four rows of precious stones in it. There were three in each row, making twelve stones in total.
Each one of the stones was to represent one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name of one tribe is engraved on each stone. In this way the names of all twelve tribes of Israel were carried close to Aaron's heart whenever he went into the sanctuary.
The breastplate is attached to the ephod by means of gold rings and chains so that it may well stay in place. Gold settings and woven cords were used to attach it to the shoulder pieces. God had given Moses the detailed instructions for this because the breastplate had to remain in the right place.
The chapter also contains instruction concerning the Urim and the Thummim. They were placed into the breastplate of judgment. Aaron was to carry them over his heart whenever he went before the Lord. The text does not describe what these objects looked like or how they worked. However, they were associated with seeking the judgment of God for Israel.
Aaron also received a ribboned robe to wear underneath the ephod. The robe was made of blue material and had an opening for his head and a reinforced edge to prevent tearing.
There were pomegranates decorated around the lower edge of the robe. They were made of blue, purple, and scarlet material and placed round the robe. Between these pomegranates were golden bells. Whenever Aaron moved while he was ministering in the sanctuary these bells would sound.
God explained the significance of these bells. Aaron was to wear the robe when he ministered before the Lord and the sound of the bells would be heard when he went into and out of the holy place. The whole of this was connected with Aaron's safety as he ministered in the Lord's presence.
The chapter also describes a coat that was to be woven. It was to be made of fine linen. Aaron was also to wear a mitre, or special head covering, made from fine linen. A belt was also to be made using similar material and in the same colors as the other garments that Aaron was to wear.
A gold plate was also made and placed on the front of Aaron's head covering. The words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" were engraved on to it and it was attached to the mitre by a blue cord so that it stayed on Aaron's forehead.
The gold plate had a particular responsibility. Aaron was to bear the obligation of the holy things that the children of Israel brought as offerings before God. He was to have the plate on his forehead so that their offerings before the Lord could be accepted.
God then gave instruction concerning the garments that Aaron's sons were to wear. They were to wear coats, belts, and head coverings. These were to be made for their honor and dignity so that they may serve as priests. Aaron and his sons were to wear these garments whenever they ministered in the tabernacle.
The chapter contains instruction concerning how Aaron and his sons were to be prepared for their priestly duties. They were to be anointed, consecrated, and sanctified so that they could serve as priests for God. Their garments were part of this process that set them apart to serve.
Exodus 28 contains an instruction that makes it clear what role Aaron and his sons will play among the Israelites. Aaron was not only serving for himself. The garments that he wore were constantly reminding him of the whole nation. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were upon his shoulders and close to his heart. He bore these as he went into the sanctuary and represented his people before God.
The chapter also shows that the priests were to approach their duties seriously and they were to make sure that the work was done right. The garments that they wore reminded them that they were in a place set apart for God's service. They were to use specific materials, colors, shapes, and the garments had special responsibilities to carry them out.
The twelve stones that were attached to the breastplate were particularly important. This kept the people of Israel in the mind of the priest. Even though these people were separated into twelve tribes the priest bore all their names together when he went into the holy place. The shoulder stones and the breastplate served as a constant reminder of the Israelites before God.
The bells that were attached to Aaron's robe also added a practical note to the description. The sound of these bells would give away when he was moving inside the sanctuary. The gold plate on his forehead was another reminder of his responsibilities, declaring that he was set apart for the Lord.
The chapter ends with the description of Aaron's role as priest. His garments showed the position that he held among the people and his responsibilities in representing his people before God. His sons would serve alongside him as priests and wear the garments that were made for their service.
The chapter prepares the reader for the next part of the instructions that concern those who will serve as priests. The tabernacle now has its holy vessels, its structure, its altar, and its courtyard. Exodus 28 adds the people who will serve there and gives specific instruction about the clothes that they are to wear before they minister there. These instructions show that worship at the tabernacle will involve regular service that will be set apart in accordance with the commands that God had given to Moses.