with an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening shall be a woven collar with an opening like that of a garment, so that it will not tear. There shall be an openingThe Hebrew word for "opening" is "פִּי" (pi), which can also mean "mouth" or "entrance." This suggests a deliberate and functional design, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and purpose. In the context of the priestly garments, this opening is not merely a practical feature but a symbol of the priest's readiness to serve and communicate with God. The opening signifies the beginning of a sacred duty, a portal through which the priest enters into his holy service. at its top in the center
The phrase "at its top in the center" indicates precision and intentionality in the garment's design. The Hebrew word for "center" is "תָּוֶךְ" (tavek), meaning "midst" or "middle." This central placement underscores the balance and order that God desires in worship. It reflects the idea that God is at the center of all things, and the priest, as a mediator, must be aligned with this divine order. The central opening also ensures that the garment fits properly, symbolizing the perfect fit of God's calling on the priest's life. with a woven collar around its opening
The "woven collar" is described using the Hebrew word "שָׂפָה" (saphah), which can mean "edge" or "border." This collar is not just a decorative element but serves a protective function, preventing the garment from tearing. The craftsmanship involved in weaving this collar reflects the care and attention to detail that God requires in His service. It symbolizes the strength and integrity needed in the priesthood, as well as the protection God provides to those who serve Him faithfully. like the opening of a garment
This simile draws a parallel to everyday clothing, making the sacred garment relatable to the people. The Hebrew word for "garment" is "תַּחֲרָה" (tacharah), which can refer to a tunic or robe. By comparing the priestly garment to common attire, the text emphasizes the humanity of the priest, who, despite his sacred role, remains one of the people. This connection serves as a reminder that while the priest holds a special position, he is still part of the community he serves. so that it will not tear
The phrase "so that it will not tear" highlights the importance of durability and wholeness. The Hebrew word for "tear" is "קָרַע" (qara), which means to rend or split. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the need for unity and continuity in the priest's service. A torn garment would symbolize a breach in the relationship between God and His people. Thus, the untearable design signifies the enduring nature of God's covenant and the priest's role in maintaining that covenant. It serves as a metaphor for the seamless and unbroken connection between the divine and the earthly. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the priestly garments from God on Mount Sinai. 2. AaronThe brother of Moses, who was appointed as the first high priest of Israel. The instructions for the garments were specifically for him and his descendants. 3. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, for whom the priestly garments were a symbol of holiness and separation. 4. TabernacleThe dwelling place of God among His people, where the priests would serve wearing these garments. 5. Priestly GarmentsSpecial clothing designed for the high priest, symbolizing purity, holiness, and the unique role of the priesthood. Teaching Points Holiness and SeparationThe design of the priestly garments, including the seamless opening, signifies the holiness and separation required of those who serve God. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness. Attention to DetailGod's instructions for the garments were precise, indicating that He cares about the details of our worship and service. We should strive for excellence in our service to God, paying attention to the details in our spiritual lives. Symbolism of the GarmentsThe garments were not just functional but symbolic of the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people. As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to the world. Protection and PreservationThe woven edge around the opening was to prevent tearing, symbolizing the need for protection and preservation in our spiritual walk. We must guard our hearts and maintain the integrity of our faith. Christ as Our High PriestThe high priest's garments point to Jesus, our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Christ has made a way for us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the design of the high priest's garments reflect the character and nature of God? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of holiness and separation in our daily lives as believers? 3. How does the attention to detail in the priestly garments challenge us in our personal worship and service to God? 4. What parallels can we draw between the high priest's role in the Old Testament and Jesus' role as our High Priest? 5. How can we ensure that we are protecting and preserving our faith in a world that often challenges our beliefs? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 8Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, where the priestly garments are put into use, highlighting their importance in the priestly service. Hebrews 4:14-16Connects the role of the high priest in the Old Testament to Jesus as our Great High Priest, emphasizing the significance of the priestly role and garments. John 19:23-24The seamless garment of Jesus at His crucifixion can be seen as a parallel to the seamless design of the high priest's robe, symbolizing His role as our High Priest. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, ShohamPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Band, Binding, Border, Broken, Center, Coat, Collar, Edge, Edged, Fighting-man, Garment, Habergeon, Hole, Mail, Middle, Midst, Open, Opening, Rend, Rent, Round, Strong, Tear, Thereof, Torn, Weaver, WovenDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 28:1-43 1065 God, holiness of Exodus 28:31-34 5177 robes Exodus 28:31-35 4450 fruit Library Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
'Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it ... HOLINESS TO THE LORD.'--EXODUS xxviii. 36. 'In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.'--ZECH. xiv. 20. 'His name shall be in their foreheads.'--REV. xxii. 4. You will have perceived my purpose in putting these three widely separated texts together. They all speak of inscriptions, and they are all obviously connected with each other. The first of them comes from the ancient times of the institution …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Names on Aaron's Breastplate
Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place.'--EXODUS xxviii. 12,29. Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, 'Holiness to the Lord,' and in those others upon his breastplate and his shoulder. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.'--Ex. xxviii. 36, 38. God's house was to be the dwelling-place of His Holiness, the place where He was to reveal Himself; as the Holy One, not to be approached but with …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Edwards -- Spiritual Light
Jonathan Edwards, the New England divine and metaphysician, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1703. He was graduated early from Yale College, where he had given much attention to philosophy, became tutor of his college, and at nineteen began to preach. His voice and manner did not lend themselves readily to pulpit oratory, but his clear, logical, and intense presentation of the truth produced a profound and permanent effect upon his hearers. He wrote what were considered the most important …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3 That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
The ruler should always be pure in thought, inasmuch as no impurity ought to pollute him who has undertaken the office of wiping away the stains of pollution in the hearts of others also; for the hand that would cleanse from dirt must needs be clean, lest, being itself sordid with clinging mire, it soil whatever it touches all the more. For on this account it is said through the prophet, Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isai. lii. 11). For they bear the vessels of the Lord who undertake, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 28:32 NIVExodus 28:32 NLTExodus 28:32 ESVExodus 28:32 NASBExodus 28:32 KJV
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