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.

LEVITICUS 8:13KJV
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Leviticus 8:13 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 8:13 mean?

Leviticus 8:13 describes how Moses dressed Aaron’s sons in special garments, tying sashes around them and placing head coverings on them, just as the LORD had instructed him. This verse shows the careful preparation of Aaron’s sons for their roles as priests, following God’s specific directions.

In this scene, Moses is acting under God’s command to set apart Aaron’s sons for service in the tabernacle. The verse highlights the importance of clothing in marking their new responsibilities, with each item—the coat, sash, and bonnet—serving as a visible sign of their priestly status. The careful obedience to the LORD’s instructions emphasizes the seriousness of their calling.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 8:13

  • The word for "put" is לָבַשׁ (lāvash), meaning to clothe or dress. This word stresses that Moses is actively clothing Aaron’s sons, not just handing them garments.
  • "Coats" uses כֻּתֹּנֶת (kutonet), which refers to a long tunic, a basic but important part of the priestly uniform, setting them apart from ordinary Israelites.
  • "Girded" is אָזַר (’āzar), meaning to tie or wrap, here referring to the sash or belt (אַבְנֵט, avnet) that secured the coat and symbolized readiness for service.
  • "Bonnets" is מִצְנֶפֶת (mitznefet), a specific type of head covering for priests, marking their consecration and role.

Why Leviticus 8:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priesthood was not self-appointed; Aaron’s sons were set apart by a public, God-directed process.
  • The careful dressing ritual shows that every detail of priestly service was important, not just the sacrifices, but even the clothing.
  • Leviticus 8:13 connects to the larger theme of obedience in Leviticus, showing that following God’s instructions in every detail was central to Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“bonnets” Hebrew H4021 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Exodus 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

“girdles” Hebrew H73 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 28:4 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 28:40 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.
  • 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.

“coats” 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.

“put” Hebrew H2280 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
  • 1 Kings 13:23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
  • Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.