And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

EXODUS 28:4KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 28:4 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:4 mean?

Exodus 28:4 lists the special garments that God commands to be made for Aaron and his sons so they can serve as priests. These garments include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle, and they are described as "holy garments" set apart for their priestly duties.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, instructing him about how Aaron (Moses’ brother) and Aaron’s sons are to be dressed for their service in the tabernacle. The detailed mention of each garment shows that serving as a priest required specific clothing, marking the priests as set apart for a sacred role among the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:4

  • "Garments" (בֶּגֶד, beged, H899): This word refers to clothing in general, but here it highlights that these are not ordinary clothes—they are set apart for a special, sacred purpose.
  • "Make" (עָשָׂה, asah, H6213): The command to "make" these garments emphasizes that they are to be crafted intentionally and according to God’s instructions, not just any clothing will do.
  • "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh, H6944): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." The garments are not just functional; they are meant to symbolize the priests’ unique role and the seriousness of their service.

Why Exodus 28:4 matters

  • Exodus 28:4 makes clear that the priesthood was not a casual role; it required specific preparation, including special clothing, to approach God on behalf of the people.
  • The verse helps readers understand that the details of worship in ancient Israel were important and carefully regulated, reflecting the holiness of God.
  • This verse sets the stage for the following chapters, which go into even greater detail about each garment and its significance, showing that every aspect of worship had meaning and purpose.

Where else these words appear

“mitre” Hebrew H4701 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
  • Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.
  • Leviticus 8:9 And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“girdle” Hebrew H73 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
  • Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
  • Leviticus 8:13 And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“breastplate” Hebrew H2833 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 28:28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
  • Exodus 39:9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

“office” Hebrew H3547 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
  • Exodus 35:19 The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.
  • Numbers 3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.