And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

EXODUS 28:5KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 28:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:5 mean?

Exodus 28:5 lists the materials—gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen—that are to be used for making the special garments for the priests. These materials are to be gathered and prepared as part of God’s instructions for the priestly clothing.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed directions for how the garments for Aaron and his sons should be made. The context is the preparation for the service of the priests in the tabernacle, and the specific materials mentioned highlight the care and value placed on these sacred items.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 28:5

  • The word for "gold" (זָהָב, zahav) refers to actual gold, emphasizing the preciousness and splendor required for the priestly garments.
  • "Blue" (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet) is understood as a deep blue or blue-purple dye, often associated with royalty and sacredness in ancient Israel.
  • "Purple" (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) points to a costly dye made from sea snails, also linked with nobility and wealth.
  • "Scarlet" (שָׁנִי, shani and תּוֹלַעַת, tolaʿat) refers to a vivid red color, often produced from a specific insect, and used in sacred contexts.
  • "Linen" (שֵׁשׁ, shesh) means high-quality, white linen, which was a sign of purity and was commonly used for holy garments.

Why Exodus 28:5 matters

  • This verse shows that the garments for the priests were not ordinary clothing but were made from the finest and most valuable materials available, setting the priests apart for their special role.
  • The careful selection of colors and fabrics connects the priestly garments to themes of holiness, beauty, and honor in the wider passage.
  • Understanding the materials helps clarify that the instructions were about more than function—they were about visibly representing the importance and sacredness of serving in God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“linen” Hebrew H8336 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 35:6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“purple” Hebrew H713 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
  • Exodus 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“scarlet” Hebrew H8144 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
  • Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

“scarlet” Hebrew H8438 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • Exodus 36:8 And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.
  • Leviticus 14:49 And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: