And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:

EXODUS 29:5KJV
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Exodus 29:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:5 mean?

Exodus 29:5 describes how Moses is to dress Aaron in specific priestly garments as part of Aaron’s ordination as high priest. The verse lists each piece of clothing in order, showing the careful process for preparing Aaron to serve in the tabernacle.

God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for setting apart Aaron for his special role. The garments mentioned—the coat, robe, ephod, breastplate, and girdle—are all part of the high priest’s outfit, each with its own meaning and function. This careful dressing ceremony highlights the importance and holiness of Aaron’s new responsibilities.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:5

  • "Take" (לָקַח, laqach) means to receive or lay hold of. Here, it emphasizes Moses’ active role in preparing Aaron.
  • "Garments" (בֶּגֶד, beged) refers to special clothing, not just ordinary clothes, underlining their sacred purpose.
  • "Gird" (חָגַר, chagar) means to bind or fasten, pointing to the act of securing the garments tightly, especially the girdle, which held the ephod in place.
  • "Ephod" (אֵפוֹד, ephod) is mentioned multiple times, highlighting its central role in the high priest’s attire and duties.

Why Exodus 29:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that each part of the high priest’s clothing was put on in a specific order, showing that the process was deliberate and meaningful, not random.
  • The detailed instructions reveal how seriously God took the role of the high priest, setting Aaron apart with visible signs of his office.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see the connection between outward symbols (the garments) and inner dedication, which is a theme throughout the instructions for Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“gird” Hebrew H640 · used in 2 verses

  • Leviticus 8:7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.

“girdle” Hebrew H2805 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
  • 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 39:20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

“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 28:26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
  • 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.

“coat” Hebrew H3801 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • Exodus 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
  • 2 Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.