You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. You are to makeThis phrase indicates a divine command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "make" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, fashion, or accomplish. This command is not merely a suggestion but a directive from God, highlighting the meticulous care and precision required in the service of the Lord. It underscores the active role of the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God, where their actions are a response to His holiness and sovereignty. a plate of pure gold
The use of "pure gold" signifies the highest quality and value, reflecting the holiness and majesty of God. Gold, in ancient times, was a symbol of wealth, purity, and divine glory. The Hebrew word for "gold" is "זָהָב" (zahav), which often appears in the context of sacred objects. This choice of material for the plate indicates the sacredness of the priestly office and the divine nature of the service rendered to God. It serves as a reminder that what is dedicated to God must be of the utmost purity and worth. and engrave on it as on a seal
The act of engraving "as on a seal" suggests permanence and authority. In ancient cultures, seals were used to authenticate documents and signify ownership or approval. The Hebrew word for "engrave" is "פָּתַח" (pathach), which means to carve or inscribe. This engraving is not temporary but intended to last, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. It also reflects the idea that the priest, as a representative of the people, bears the mark of divine authority and responsibility. HOLY TO THE LORD
This phrase is the central theme of the verse, encapsulating the purpose and identity of the priestly ministry. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "קֹדֶשׁ" (qodesh), meaning set apart, sacred, or consecrated. "To the LORD" indicates that this holiness is directed towards Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This inscription serves as a constant reminder of the priest's role as a mediator between God and His people, set apart for divine service. It emphasizes the call to holiness that is central to the life of faith, where believers are to live in a manner that reflects God's character and purposes. 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 gold plate was part of his priestly attire. 3. High Priest's GarmentsThe sacred clothing worn by the high priest, including the gold plate, which signified holiness and dedication to God. 4. Mount SinaiThe place where God gave Moses the law and instructions for the tabernacle and priestly garments. 5. TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God, and where the high priest performed his duties. Teaching Points Holiness as a Mark of IdentityThe inscription "HOLY TO THE LORD" on the gold plate signifies the identity and purpose of the high priest. As believers, our lives should reflect holiness as a mark of our identity in Christ. The Call to ConsecrationJust as the high priest was set apart for service to God, Christians are called to consecrate themselves, living lives that honor God in all aspects. Symbolism of GoldThe use of pure gold for the plate symbolizes the purity and value of holiness. Our pursuit of holiness should be pure and valuable, reflecting the character of God. Role of the High PriestThe high priest served as a mediator between God and the people. Jesus, our ultimate High Priest, mediates on our behalf, and we are called to intercede for others. Living as a Royal PriesthoodAs believers, we are part of a royal priesthood, called to declare the praises of God and live lives that are set apart for His glory. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the inscription "HOLY TO THE LORD" on the high priest's gold plate relate to our identity as Christians today? 2. In what ways can we consecrate ourselves to God in our daily lives, following the example of the high priest's dedication? 3. How does the concept of holiness in the Old Testament priesthood connect to the New Testament teaching of believers as a royal priesthood? 4. What are some practical ways we can reflect the purity and value of holiness in our interactions with others? 5. How can we fulfill our role as a royal priesthood, interceding for others and declaring the praises of God in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 8Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, emphasizing the holiness required of the priesthood. Zechariah 14:20Refers to the holiness of the Lord, where even the bells of the horses will be inscribed with "HOLY TO THE LORD," symbolizing the pervasive holiness in the Kingdom of God. 1 Peter 2:9Speaks of believers as a royal priesthood, called to live holy lives, drawing a parallel to the holiness required of the Old Testament priesthood. Hebrews 7:26Describes Jesus as the holy and blameless high priest, fulfilling the ultimate role of the priesthood. Revelation 1:6Declares believers as a kingdom of priests, emphasizing the call to holiness and service to God. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, ShohamPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Best, Cutting, Engrave, Engraving, Engravings, Flower, Gold, Grave, Hast, Holiness, Holy, Opened, Openings, Plate, Pure, Seal, Signet, Stamp, ThinDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 28:36 5306 engraving
5518 seal
5583 tools Exodus 28:1-43 1065 God, holiness of Exodus 28:33-38 4333 gold Exodus 28:34-38 5073 Aaron, priest Exodus 28:36-37 5212 arts and crafts Exodus 28:36-38 5154 forehead
5211 art
6616 atonement, in OT
6750 sin-bearer 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 28:36 NIVExodus 28:36 NLTExodus 28:36 ESVExodus 28:36 NASBExodus 28:36 KJV
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