Leviticus 16:4
New International Version
He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.

New Living Translation
He must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are sacred garments, so he must bathe himself in water before he puts them on.

English Standard Version
He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.

Berean Standard Bible
He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.

King James Bible
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

New King James Version
He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.

New American Standard Bible
He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be wrapped about the waist with the linen sash and the linen turban wound around his forehead (these are holy garments). He shall bathe his body in water and put them on.

NASB 1995
“He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.

NASB 1977
“He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash, and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.

Legacy Standard Bible
He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.

Amplified Bible
He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be belted with the linen sash, and dressed with the linen turban (these are the holy garments). He shall bathe his body in water and put them on.

Christian Standard Bible
He is to wear a holy linen tunic, and linen undergarments are to be on his body. He is to tie a linen sash around him and wrap his head with a linen turban. These are holy garments; he must bathe his body with water before he wears them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is to wear a holy linen tunic, and linen undergarments are to be on his body. He must tie a linen sash around him and wrap his head with a linen turban. These are holy garments; he must bathe his body with water before he wears them.

American Standard Version
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: they are the holy garments; and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and put them on.

Contemporary English Version
You will take a bath and put on the sacred linen clothes, including the underwear, the robe, the sash, and the turban.

English Revised Version
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: they are the holy garments; and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and put them on.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He must put on a holy linen robe and wear linen undergarments. He must wear a linen belt and turban. These are holy clothes. He must wash his body and put them on.

Good News Translation
Then the LORD gave the following instructions. Before Aaron goes into the Most Holy Place, he must take a bath and put on the priestly garments: the linen robe and shorts, the belt, and the turban.

International Standard Version
He is to wear a sacred linen tunic and linen undergarments that will cover his genitals. He is to clothe himself with a sash and wrap his head with a linen turban. Because they are sacred garments, he is to wash himself with water before putting them on."

Majority Standard Bible
He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.

NET Bible
He must put on a holy linen tunic, linen leggings are to cover his body, and he is to wrap himself with a linen sash and wrap his head with a linen turban. They are holy garments, so he must bathe his body in water and put them on.

New Heart English Bible
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be dressed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.

Webster's Bible Translation
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen miter shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

World English Bible
He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
he puts on a holy linen coat, and linen trousers are on his flesh, and he girds himself with a linen girdle, and he wraps himself up with a linen turban; they [are] holy garments; and he has bathed his flesh with water and put them on.

Young's Literal Translation
a holy linen coat he putteth on, and linen trousers are on his flesh, and with a linen girdle he girdeth himself, and with a linen mitre he wrappeth himself up; they are holy garments; and he hath bathed with water his flesh, and hath put them on.

Smith's Literal Translation
The holy linen tunic shall be put on, and the linen drawers shall be upon his flesh, and with a linen girdle shall he be girded, and with a linen turban shall he be wound round: these the holy garments; and he washed his flesh in water and put them on.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall be vested with a linen tunick, he shall cover his nakedness with linen breeches: he shall be girded with a linen girdle, and he shall put a linen mitre upon his head: for these are holy vestments: all which he shall put on, after he is washed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He shall be vested with a linen tunic. He shall conceal his nakedness with linen undergarments. He shall be wrapped with a linen belt, and he shall impose a linen headdress on his head. For these are holy vestments. All of these he shall put on, after he has been washed.

New American Bible
He shall wear the sacred linen tunic, with the linen pants underneath, gird himself with the linen sash and put on the linen turban. But since these vestments are sacred, he shall not put them on until he has first bathed his body in water.

New Revised Standard Version
He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and shall have the linen undergarments next to his body, fasten the linen sash, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy vestments. He shall bathe his body in water, and then put them on.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He shall put on the holy linen coat and he shall have linen breeches upon his body and shall be girded with a linen girdle and shall put a linen mitre upon his head; because these are the vestments of the sanctuary; therefore he shall bathe his body in water, and then put them on.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he will wear a coat of fine white linen of holiness and a garment of fine white linen shall be on his flesh and he shall be girded with a girdle of fine white linen, and he shall put a turban of fine white linen on his head, because the clothes are of holiness, and he shall wash his body in water and shall put them on.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired; they are the holy garments; and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and put them on.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall put on the consecrated linen tunic, and he shall have on his flesh the linen drawers, and shall gird himself with a linen girdle, and shall put on the linen cap, they are holy garments; and he shall bathe all his body in water, and shall put them on.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law of Atonement
3This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them. 5And he shall take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.…

Cross References
Exodus 28:39-43
You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash. / Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor. / After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests. ...

Exodus 29:4
Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

Exodus 30:19-21
with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. / Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die. / Thus they are to wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”

Numbers 20:26-28
Remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.” / So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. / After Moses had removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.

Numbers 29:7
On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work.

Hebrews 9:7
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:24-25
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. / Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ...

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Zechariah 3:3-5
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. / So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.

Matthew 22:11-12
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.

John 13:4-5
So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. / After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.

John 19:23-24
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. / So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.

Acts 1:10
They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.


Treasury of Scripture

He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen turban shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

holy line coat.

Leviticus 6:10
And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.

Exodus 28:2,39-43
And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty…

Exodus 39:27-29
And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, …

therefore

Leviticus 8:6,7
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water…

Exodus 29:4
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Exodus 30:20
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Jump to Previous
Attired Bathe Body Breeches Coat Dressed Flesh Garments Girded Girdle Holy Linen Miter Mitre Sash Tie Tunic Turban Undergarments Wash Water Wear
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Attired Bathe Body Breeches Coat Dressed Flesh Garments Girded Girdle Holy Linen Miter Mitre Sash Tie Tunic Turban Undergarments Wash Water Wear
Leviticus 16
1. how the high priest must enter into the holy place
11. The sin offering for himself
15. The sin offering for the people
20. The scapegoat
29. The yearly feast of the expiations














He is to put on the holy linen tunic
The phrase "holy linen tunic" refers to the sacred garment worn by the high priest, signifying purity and separation unto God. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "qodesh," which means set apart or consecrated. This tunic, made of fine linen, symbolizes righteousness and the purity required to approach God. Linen, derived from the Hebrew "bad," is a fabric that represents purity and simplicity, free from the impurities of wool. The tunic's holiness underscores the need for the priest to be spiritually and ceremonially clean before entering the presence of the Almighty.

have the linen undergarments next to his body
The "linen undergarments" were worn to cover the priest's nakedness, emphasizing modesty and the sanctity of the priestly office. The Hebrew term "miknese" refers to these undergarments, which were essential for maintaining the dignity and respect of the priestly role. This requirement highlights the importance of inner purity and integrity, as the garments were worn next to the body, symbolizing the need for the priest to be clean both inside and out.

fasten the linen sash around him
The "linen sash" served both a functional and symbolic purpose. The Hebrew word "abnet" refers to this belt or girdle, which secured the tunic and undergarments in place. It represents readiness and service, as the priest was prepared to perform his duties before God. The sash, being of linen, also signifies purity and dedication, reminding the priest of his commitment to serve God with a pure heart and focused mind.

and put on the linen turban
The "linen turban" was the headpiece worn by the high priest, symbolizing authority and honor. The Hebrew word "mitznefet" refers to this head covering, which was a sign of the priest's consecration and his role as a mediator between God and the people. The turban, made of linen, again emphasizes purity and holiness, as the priest's thoughts and actions were to be aligned with God's will.

These are holy garments
The phrase "holy garments" reiterates the sanctity and set-apart nature of the priestly attire. The Hebrew word "beged" for garments, combined with "qodesh" for holy, underscores the divine requirement for the priest to be clothed in righteousness and purity. These garments were not merely ceremonial but were a constant reminder of the priest's sacred duty and the holiness of God.

so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on
The act of bathing with water signifies purification and cleansing. The Hebrew word "rachatz" means to wash or cleanse, indicating the necessity for the priest to be ritually clean before donning the holy garments. This ritual washing symbolizes the removal of impurity and sin, preparing the priest to enter God's presence. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for spiritual cleansing and renewal, pointing ultimately to the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice for believers.

(4) He shall put on the holy linen coat.--Better, a holy linen tunic. The four articles of clothing here mentioned, all of which were of white linen, constituted the sacerdotal "white vestments," in contra-distinction to "the golden garments." Of the white garments he possessed two sets, one of Egyptian linen, and the other of Indian and less costly linen. The community allowed the high priest thirty minae to purchase these garments, and he could add as much as he liked from his own money if he wished them to be more costly, provided the material was linen made of six double twisted threads and of flax. It was the more costly vestments of Egyptian linen which the high priest wore on this occasion. The latter he put on in the after part of the day when he entered the Holy of Holies to bring out the censer. These garments were the same as those of the ordinary priests, except the turban, which was a little taller.

And he shall wash.--He had to bathe his body every time when he changed his vestments.

Verse 4. - His special garments for the occasion are the holy linen coat,... the linen breeches,... a linen girdle,... and the linen mitre. In the original the definite article is not expressed. The reading should therefore be, He shall put on a holy linen coat, and he shall have linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with a linen mitre shall be attired. The clothing was white from head to foot, differing therein from the dress of the ordinary priest, inasmuch as the sash or girdle of the latter was of variegated materials, and differing also in the shape of the mitre. The white clothing was not intended to symbolize humility and penitence, as some have thought, for white is not the colour in which penitents are naturally dressed. Rather it was symbolical of the purity and holiness which the ceremonies of the day symbolically affected, and which was specially needed to be exhibited in the person of the high priest. In the visions of Ezekiel and Daniel, the angel of God is clothed in linen (Ezekiel 9:2, 3, 11; Ezekiel 10:2, 6, 7; Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6, 7). And the colour of the angelic raiment is described in the Gospels as white: "his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow" (Matthew 28:3); "they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment" (Mark 16:5); "two men stood by them in shining garments" (Luke 24:4); she "seeth two angels in white sitting" (John 20:12). So, too, the wife of the Lamb, in the Book of the Revelation, has it "granted to her that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Revelation 19:7, 8). The white linen dress of the high priest, therefore (which must have given the appearance of the English surplice tied in at the waist), was intended to symbolize the purity and brightness which forms the characteristic of angels and saints, and, above all, of the King of saints. "The white material of the dress which Aaron wore when performing the highest act of expiation under the Old Testament was a symbolical shadowing forth of the holiness and glory of the one perfect Mediator between God and man, who, being the radiation of the glory of God and the image of his nature, effected by himself the perfect cleansing away of our sin, and who, as the true High Priest, being holy, innocent, unspotted, and separate from sinners, entered once by his own blood into the holy place not made with hands, namely, into heaven itself, to appear before the face of God for us and obtain everlasting redemption (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 9:12, 24)" (Keil). The symbolism of the holy garments as indicating holiness and purity, is strengthened by the command that Aaron is to wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. The high priest's acts on this day, so far as they are recounted in this chapter, were the following.

1. He bathed.

2. He dressed himself in his white holy garments.

3. He offered or presented at the door of the tabernacle a bullock for a sin offering for himself and his house. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He is to wear
יִלְבָּ֗שׁ (yil·bāš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

the sacred
קֹ֜דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

linen
בַּ֨ד (baḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 906: Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garment

tunic,
כְּתֹֽנֶת־ (kə·ṯō·neṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3801: A shirt

with linen
בַד֮ (ḇaḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 906: Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garment

undergarments.
וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־ (ū·miḵ·nə·sê-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - mdc
Strong's 4370: An undergarment

He must tie
יַחְגֹּ֔ר (yaḥ·gōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself

a linen
בַּד֙ (baḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 906: Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garment

sash
וּבְאַבְנֵ֥ט (ū·ḇə·’aḇ·nêṭ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 73: A girdle

around him
בַּ֖ד (baḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 906: Flaxen thread, yarn, a linen garment

and put on the linen
יִצְנֹ֑ף (yiṣ·nōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6801: To wrap or wind up together

turban.
וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת (ū·ḇə·miṣ·ne·p̄eṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4701: Turban (of the high priest)

These
הֵ֔ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

[are] sacred
קֹ֣דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

garments,
בִּגְדֵי־ (biḡ·ḏê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and he must bathe
וְרָחַ֥ץ (wə·rā·ḥaṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

himself
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ (bə·śā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

with water
בַּמַּ֛יִם (bam·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

before he wears them.
וּלְבֵשָֽׁם׃ (ū·lə·ḇê·šām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe


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OT Law: Leviticus 16:4 He shall put on the holy linen (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 16:3
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