¹sn Some modern scholars find this and the next chapter too elaborate for the wilderness experience. To most of them this reflects the later Zadokite priesthood of the writer’s (P’s) day, but was referred to Mosaic legislation for authentication. But there is no compelling reason why this should be late; it is put late because it is assumed to be P, and that is assumed to be late. But both assumptions are unwarranted. This lengthy chapter could be divided this way: instructions for preparing the garments (1-5), details of the apparel (6-39), and a warning against deviating from these (40-43). The subject matter of the first part is: God requires that his chosen ministers reflect his holy nature; the point of the second part is: God requires his ministers to be prepared to fulfill the tasks of the ministry; and the subject matter of the third part is: God warns all his ministers to safeguard the holiness of their service.
²tn The verb is the Hiphil imperative of the root brq (qarab), “to draw near.” In the present stem the word has religious significance, namely, to present something to God, like an offering.
³tn This entire clause is a translation of the Hebrew yl!-onh&k^l= (l^ekahano-li), “that he might be a priest to me,” but the form is unusual. The word means “to be a priest” or “to act as a priest.” The etymology of the word for priest, /h@K) (kohen), is uncertain.
⁴sn The genitive “holiness” is the attribute for “garments”—“garments of holiness.” The point of the word “holy” is that these garments would be distinctive from ordinary garments, for they set Aaron apart to sanctuary service and ministry.
⁵tn The expression is tr#ap=t!l=W dobk*l= (l^ekabod u-l^etip’aret), “for glory and for beauty.” Kaiser, quoting the NIV’s “to give him dignity and honor,” says that these clothes were to exalt the office of the high priest as well as beautify the worship of God (which explains more of what the text has than the NIV rendering; see W. C. Kaiser, Jr, “Exodus,” in EBC 465). The meaning of the word “glory” has much to do with the importance of the office, to be sure; but in Exodus the word has been used also for the brilliance of the presence of Yahweh, and so the magnificence of these garments might indeed strike the worshiper with the sense of the exaltation of the service.
⁶tn Heb “And you, you will speak to.”
⁷tn Heb “wise of heart.” The word for “wise” (ym@k=j^ [hakme], the plural construct form) is from the word group that is usually translated “wisdom, wise, be wise,” but has as its basic meaning “skill” or “skillful.” This is the way it is used in 31:3, 6 and 35:10 etc. God gave these people “wisdom” so that they would know how to make these things. The “heart” for the Hebrews is the locus of understanding, the mind and the will. To be “wise of heart” or “wise in heart” means that they had the understanding to do skillful work, they were talented artisans and artists.
⁸sn There is no reason to take this as a reference to the Holy Spirit who produces wisdom in these people, although that is not totally impossible. The NIV did not even translate the word “spirit.” It probably refers to their attitude and ability. Cassuto has “to all the artisans skilled in the making of stately robes, in the heart [i.e., mind] of each of whom I have implanted sagacity in his craft so that he may do his craft successfully” (p. 371).
⁹tn The form is the perfect tense with the vav consecutive; after the instruction to speak to the wise, this verb, equal to an imperfect, will have the force of purpose.
¹⁰tn It is the garments that will set Aaron apart, or sanctify him, not the workers. The expression could be taken to mean “for his consecration” since the investiture is part of his being set apart for service.
¹¹sn The breastpiece seems to have been a pouch of sorts or to have had a pocket, since it was folded in some way (28:16; 39:9) and contained the Urim and Thummim (Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8).
¹²sn The word “ephod” is taken over directly from Hebrew, because no one knows how to translate it, nor is there agreement about its design. It refers here to a garment worn by the priests, but the word can also refer to some kind of image for a god (Judg 8:27).
¹³tn The word JBvT@ (tasbets), which describes the tunic and which appears only in this verse, is related to a verb (also rare) of the same root in 28:39 that describes making the tunic. Their meaning is uncertain (see the extended discussion in C. Houtman, Exodus, 3:473-75). A related noun describes gold fasteners and the “settings,” or “mountings,” for precious stones (28:11, 13, 14, 20, 25; 36:18; 39:6, 13, 16, 18; cf. Ps 45:14). The word “fitted” in 28:4 reflects the possibility that “the tunic is to be shaped by sewing, … so that it will fit tightly around the body” (C. Houtman, Exodus, 3:475).
¹⁴tn Heb “and they.” The word “artisans” is supplied as the referent of the pronoun, a connection that is clearer in Hebrew than in English.
¹⁵tn Here the Pual perfect with the vav consecutive provides the purpose clause (equal to a final imperfect); the form follows the use of the active participle, “attached” or more Heb “joining.”
¹⁶tn This is the rendering of the word bv#j@ (heseb), cognate to the word translated “designer” in v. 6. Since the entire ephod was of the same material, and this was of the same piece, it is unclear why this is singled out as “artistically woven.” Perhaps the word is from another root that just describes the item as a “band.” Whatever the connection, this band was to be of the same material, and the same piece, as the ephod, but perhaps a different pattern (Driver, 301). It is this sash that attaches the ephod to the priest’s body, that is, at the upper border of the ephod and clasped together at the back.
¹⁷tn Heb “from it” but meaning “of one [the same] piece”; the phrase “the ephod” has been supplied.
¹⁸tn Although this is normally translated “Israelites,” here a more literal translation is clearer because it refers to the names of the twelve tribes—the actual sons of Israel.
¹⁹tn This is in apposition to the direct object of the verb “engrave.” It further defines how the names were to be engraved—six on one and the other six on the other.
²⁰tn The word literally reads “according to their begettings” (the major word in the Book of Genesis). What is meant is the names would be listed in the order of their ages.
²¹sn Expert stone or gem engravers were used to engrave designs and names in identification seals of various sizes. It was work that skilled artisans did.
²²tn Or “you will mount them.”
²³tn Or “rosettes,” shield-like frames for the stones. The Hebrew word means “to plait, checker.”
²⁴sn This was to be a perpetual reminder that the priest ministers on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their names would always be borne by the priests.
²⁵tn The Hebrew is fP*v=m! /v#j) (hosen mispat). The first word, rendered “breastpiece,” is of uncertain etymology. This item was made of material similar to the ephod. It had four rows of three gems on it, bearing the names of the tribes. In it were the urim and thummim. Hyatt refers to a similar object found in the Egyptian reliefs, including even the twisted gold chains used to hang it from the priest (p. 282).
²⁶tn Heb “four.”
²⁷tn “when” is added for clarification (Cassuto, 375).
²⁸tn The word tr#z# (zeret) is half a cubit; it is often translated “span.”
²⁹sn Cassuto points out that these are the same precious stones mentioned in Ezek 28:13 that were to be found in Eden, the garden of God. So the priest, when making atonement, was to wear the precious gems that were there and symbolized the garden of Eden when man was free from sin ( 375,6).
³⁰tn For clarity the words “the number of” have been supplied.
³¹tn The phrase translated “the engravings of a seal” is an adverbial accusative of manner here.
³²tn Heb “give, put.”
³³tn Here “upper” has been supplied.
³⁴tn Here “the other” has been supplied.
³⁵tn Here “them” has been supplied.
³⁶tn Here “other” has been supplied.
³⁷tn Here “more” has been supplied.
³⁸sn So Aaron will have the names of the tribes on his shoulders (v. 12) which bear the weight and symbol of office (see Isa 9:6; 22:22), and on his heart (implying that they have a constant place in his thoughts [Deut 6:6). Thus he was to enter the presence of God as the nation’s representative, ever mindful of the nation’s interests, and ever bringing the remembrance of it before God (Driver, 306).
³⁹sn The Urim and the Thummim were two objects intended for determining the divine will. There is no clear evidence of their size, or shape, or the material of which they were made, but they seem to have been familiar descriptions to Moses and the people. The best example of their use comes from 1 Sam 14:36-42. Some have suggested that from the etymologies they were light and dark objects respectively, perhaps stones, or sticks, or some other object. They seem to have fallen out of use after the Davidic period when the prophetic oracles became popular. It may be that the title “breastpiece of judgment” indicates that these objects were used for making “decisions” (Hyatt, 283-84). Cassuto has the most thorough treatment of the subject (pp. 378-82); he lists several very clear rules for their uses gathered from their use in the Bible, including that they were a form of sacred lot, that priests or leaders of the people only could use them, and that they were used for discovering the divine will in areas that were beyond human ken.
⁴⁰tn The term is fP*v=m! (mispat), the same word that describes the breastpiece that held the two objects. A more precise translation might be “decision.” The High Priest bore the responsibility of discerning the divine will on matters of national importance.
⁴¹tn The lyu!m= (m^e’il), according to Driver, is a long robe worn over the ephod, perhaps open down the front, with sleeves. It is made of finer material than ordinary cloaks because it was to be worn by people in positions of rank (p. 307).
⁴²tn Heb “mouth” or “opening” (yP! [pi] in construct).
⁴³tn The “mouth of its head” probably means its neck; it may be rendered “the opening for the head,” except the pronominal suffix would have to refer to Aaron, and that is not immediately within the context.
⁴⁴tn Or “woven work,” “the work of a weaver,” the expression suggests that the weaving was from the fabric edges itself and not something woven and then added to the robe. It was obviously intended to keep the opening from fraying.
⁴⁵tn The expression ar*j=t^ yp!K= (k^epi tahra’) is difficult. It was early rendered “like the opening of a coat of mail.” It only occurs here and in the parallel 39:23. Targum Onqelos has “coat of mail.” Driver (and so BDB) suggest “a linen corselet,” after the Greek (p. 308). See J. Cohen, “A Samaritan Authentication of the Rabbinic Interpretation of kephi tahra’,” VT 24 (1974): 361-66.
⁴⁶tn The verb is the Niphal imperfect, here given the nuance of potential imperfect. Here it serves in a final clause (purpose/result), introduced only by the negative (see GKC §165.a).
⁴⁷sn This must mean round balls of yarn that looked like pomegranates. The fruit was very common in the land; but there is no indication of the reason for their choice here. They are found in decorative schemes in Ugarit, probably as signs of fertility. It may be that here they represent the blessing of God on Israel in the land. The bells that are between them possibly have the intent of drawing God’s attentions as the priest moves and the bells jingle (anthropomorphic, to be sure), or that the people would know that the priest was still alive and moving inside. Some have suggested that the pomegranate may have recalled the forbidden fruit eaten in the garden (the gems already have referred to the garden), the reason for the priest entering for atonement, and the bells would divert the eye (of God) to remind him of the need. This is possible, but far from supportable since nothing is said of the reason, nor is the fruit in the garden identified.
⁴⁸tn The text repeats the idea: “you will make for its hem…all around its hem.”
⁴⁹tn The words “the pattern is to be” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
⁵⁰tn Heb “it.”
⁵¹tn The form is a Piel infinitive construct with the lamed preposition, “to minister” or “to serve.” It may be taken epexegetically here, “while serving,” although Driver takes it as a purpose, “in order that he may minister” (p. 308). The point then would be that he dare not enter into the Holy Place without wearing it.
⁵²sn God would hear the bells and be reminded that this priest was in his presence representing the nation and that the priest had followed the rules of the sanctuary by wearing the appropriate robes with their attachments.
⁵³tn The word JyX! (sis) seems to mean “a shining thing” and so here a plate of metal. It originally meant “flower,” but they could not write on a flower. So it must have the sense of something worn openly, visible, and shining. The Rabbinic tradition says it was two fingers wide and stretched from ear to ear, but this is an attempt to give details that the Law does not give (see B. Jacob, 818).
⁵⁴tn The expression “the engravings of a seal” is an adverbial accusative of manner; “after the fashion of” is simply an attempt to express that.
⁵⁵sn The engraving was a perpetual reminder of the holiness that was due the Lord (Heb “Yahweh”), how that all the clothing, the furnishings, and the activities were to come under that description. This corresponded to the symbolism for the whole nation of binding the law between the eyes. It was to be a perpetual reminder of commitment.
⁵⁶tn The verb is the perfect tense with the vav consecutive; it follows the same at the beginning of the verse. Since the first verb is equal to the imperfect of instruction, this could be as well, but it is more likely to be subordinated to express the purpose of the former.
⁵⁷tn Heb “it will be,” an instruction imperfect.
⁵⁸tn The construction “the iniquity of the holy things” is difficult. “Holy things” is explained in the passage by all the gifts the people bring and consecrate to Yahweh. But there will inevitably be iniquity involved. Cassuto explains that Aaron “will atone for all the transgressions committed in connection with the order of the service, the purity of the consecrated things, or the use of the holy gifts, for the declaration engraved on the plate will prove that everything was intended to be holy to the Lord, and if aught was done irregularly, the intention at least was good” (p. 385).
⁵⁹tn The clause reads: “according to/by all the gifts of their holiness.” The genitive is an attributive genitive, the suffix on it referring to the whole bound construction— “their holy gifts.” The idea of the line is that the people will consecrate as holy things gifts they bring to the sanctuary.
⁶⁰tn This clause is the infinitive construct with the lamed preposition, followed by the prepositional phrase: “for acceptance for them.” This infinitive provides the purpose or result of the act of wearing the dedicatory frontlet—that they will be acceptable.
⁶¹tn It is difficult to know how to translate T*X=B^v!w+ (w^esibbatsta); it is a Piel perfect with the vav consecutive, and so equal to the imperfect of instruction. Some have thought that this verb describes a type of weaving and that the root may indicate that the cloth had something of a pattern to it by means of alternate weaving of the threads. It was the work of a weaver and not so detailed as certain other fabrics , but it was more than plain weaving (Driver, 310). Here, however, it may be that the fabric is assumed to be in existence and that the action has to do with sewing (C. Houtman, Exodus, 3:475, 517).
⁶²sn This refers to a band of linen wrapped around the head, forming something like a brimless convex cap, resembling something like a half egg. It refers to the headgear of ordinary priests only (see Driver, 310-11).
⁶³sn The instructions in this verse anticipate chap. 29, as well as the ordination ceremony described in Lev 8 and 9. The anointing of Aaron is specifically required in the Law, for he is to be the High Priest. The expression “ordain them” might also be translated as “install them” or “consecrate them”; it literally reads “and fill their hands,” an expression for the consecration offering for priesthood in Lev 8:33). The final instruction to sanctify them will involve the ritual of the atoning sacrifices to make the priests acceptable in the sanctuary.
⁶⁴tn Heb “fill their hand.” As a result of this installation ceremony they will be officially designated for the work. It seems likely that the concept derives from the notion of putting the priestly responsibilities under their control (i.e., “filling their hands” with authority). See sn on the phrase “ordained seven days” in Lev 8:33.
⁶⁵tn Heb “naked flesh.”
⁶⁶tn Heb “be.”
⁶⁷tn The construction for this temporal clause is the infinitive construct with the temporal preposition bet and the suffixed subjective genitive.
⁶⁸tn This construction is also the temporal clause with the infinitive construct and the temporal preposition bet and the suffixed subjective genitive.
⁶⁹tn The text has Wtm@w /ou WaC=y-a)lw+ (w^elo’ yis’u ‘awon wametu). The imperfect tense here introduces a final clause, yielding a purpose or result translation (“in order that” or “so that”). The last verb is the perfect tense with the vav consecutive, and so it too is equal to a final imperfect—but it would show the result of bearing the iniquity. The idea is that if they approached the holy things with a lack of modesty, perhaps like the pagans who have nakedness and sexuality as part of the cultic ritual, they would pollute the holy things with earthy, physical things, and it would be reckoned to them for iniquity and they would die.
⁷⁰tn Heb “seed.”
⁷¹sn So the priests were to make intercession for the people, give decisions from God’s revealed will, enter his presence in purity, and represent holiness to Yahweh. The clothing of the priests provided for these functions, but in a way that brought honor and dignity. He was, therefore, to serve in purity, holiness, and fear (Malachi). There is much that can be derived from this chapter to form principles of spiritual leadership; but the overall point can be worded this way: Those whom God selects to minister to the congregation through intercessory prayer, divine counsel, and sacrificial worship, must always represent the holiness of Yahweh in their activities and demeanor.