Exodus 28

AND take thou unto thee Cause them to come near unto thee, that thou maist before them and before the people declare the will of God herein, and solemnly set them apart for this office. Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priests office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Aarons sons.

And thou shalt make holy garments Garments to be used only in holy ministrations. for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty (i. e.) Such as are glorious and beautiful, partly to mind the people of the dignity and excellency of their office and employment, and principally to represent the glorious robes wherewith Christ is both clothed himself and clotheth all his people, who are made Priests unto God..

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wisehearted (i. e.) Skilful artists. The Hebrews make the heart, not the brain, the seat of wisdome. See Iob 9. 4., whom I have filled Either 1. by my ordinary providence and assistance, giving them both ability and opportunity to learn the arts: or rather 2. by extraordinary inspiration, which was necessary for the Israelites, whose base and laborious drudgery took off their minds and hands from all ingenious studies and arts. with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aarons garments to consecrate him (i. e.) To be an outward sign of my calling and consecration of him to my holy service. A metonymical expression., that he may minister unto me in the priests office.

And these are the garments which they shall make; a breast-plate, and an ephod This was a short upper garment, made without sleeves, which was girt about the body. And it was twofold, the one made of fine linnen, which was common not only to all the Priests, as 1 Sam. 2. 18. and 22. 18. but to some others also upon solemn and sacred occasions, as 2 Sam. 6. 14. the other made of divers stuffes and colours, peculiar to the High-priest, the parts whereof were not sewed, but tied together., and a robe An upper garment, like a surpliss., and a broidered coat An under coat curiously wrought with circular works like eyes, as the word notes, and richly adorned with gems and other things., a mitre A kind of bonnet or cap for the covering of the head, supposed to be something like a Turkish Turband for the form of it., and a girdle To enclose and fasten all the other garments, which were loose in themselves, that he might be more expeditious in his work.: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priests office.

And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

And they shall make the ephod of gold Beaten out into plates and cut into wires., of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

It shall have the two shoulder-pieces Which were two parts of the Ephod going up from the body of the Ephod, the one before, the other behind, which when the Priest had put over his head, were tied together and covered the Priests shoulders and part of his back and breast. thereof joyned at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joyned together.

And the curious girdle of the ephod Which was for the closer fastening and girding of it. which is upon it This is added to distinguish it from the other girdle ver. 4. which was to gird all the garments, and was tied in a lower place.; shall be of the same Either 1. of the same piece: or rather 2. of the same kind of materials and workmanship, as the following words explain it., according to the work thereof, even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Six of their names on one stone, and the other six Levi seems to be omitted here, as being sufficiently represented by the High-priest himself. names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth:

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet shalt thou engrave the two stones, with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches Hollow places, such as are made in golden rings to receive and hold the precious stones, which are put into them. of gold.

And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod (i. e.) In the place where the two shoulder-pieces were joyned together., for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD Into the holy of holies. An evident type of Christs entring into heaven with the names and in the stead of his people, the true Israel, upon his shoulders, and presenting them to his father with acceptance., upon his two shoulders for a memorial Not so much to the High-priest, that he should not forget to pray for them, as to God, that he, beholding their names there according to his order, might graciously remember them and show mercy unto them. Such a memorial to God was the rainbow, Gen. 9. 13. Such things are spoken of God after the manner of men..

And thou shalt make ouches Not for the stones, ver. 12. who had other ouches, ver. 11. but for the chains, ver. 14. of gold:

And two chains of pure gold at the ends Or, with ends, (i. e.) not like chains that are fastened about ones neck or arm, which seem to have no end, but two distinct chains with two several ends, both hanging downward. Compare ver. 22. The Syriack render it double, others equal, or of equal length.: of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.

And thou shalt make the breast-plate of judgement This was a square and curiously wrought piece put over the Ephod upon ones breast, called of judgment, because from thence the Israelites were to expect and receive their judgment and the mind of God in all those weighty matters of war or peace, wherein they consulted God for direction. with cunning work, after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it: of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen shalt thou make it.

Four square it shall be, being doubled For greater strength that it might better support and secure the precious stones which were put into it, and that it might receive the Urim and Thummim, Lev. 8. 8.: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stone It is needless to trouble the reader with the explication of these stones, which the Iewish Doctors themselves are, not agreed in, seeing this use of them is now abolished. It may suffice to know that they were precious stones severally allotted to the names of the several tribes according to Gods good pleasure, possibly with respect to some disposition or concernment of each tribe, which at this distance we cannot learn.: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

And the second row shall be an emeraud, a saphir, and a diamond.

And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

And the fourth row, a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet: every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes (i. e.) According to the order of their birth, the first stone to the eldest, the second to the next, &c..

And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate chains at the ends Some think these are the same with those mentioned, v. 14. But it seems improbable and without example, that God should in this short description, and that within a few verses, give a new and second command concerning the same thing. It may rather seem that these are other chains fastened to the breastplate, as it follows, whereas those chains ver. 14. seem to have been fastened to the ephod, to those ouches made in it for that purpose, ver. 13. And whereas these chains also are fastened in the said ouches ver. 25. two several chains may well enough be fastened in divers parts of each of the ouches, and there seems to be this difference between the chains, those chains mentioned ver. 14. are said to be fastened only at one end, even to the ouches of the Ephod, whence they might hang down loosely, whereas these are manifestly fastened at both ends, ver. 24, 25., of wreathen work of pure gold.

And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate two rings of gold; and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breast-plate.

And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breast-plate.

And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains, thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it (i. e.) In the fore-part of the Ephod: or before him, i. e. the High-priest, in his fore-part, upon his breast..

And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends To wit, upon the lower ends, for there were other rings put upon the upper ends, ver. 23, 24, 25. of the breast-plate, in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward (i. e.) In the inner side of the Ephod, under which these rings were hid: for the Ephod was double, ver. 16..

And two other rings To answer the two rings in the breast-plate, that by all these the breast-plate might be the better fastened to the Ephod. of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath In the lower part of the ephod, or in that part of it which is under the lowest part of the breast-plate., towards the forepart thereof Towards the breast., over against the other coupling thereof (i. e.) Over against the ouches on the shoulder-pieces, where the upper part of the breast-plate was fastened to the Ephod., above the curious girdle of the ephod.

And they shall bind the breast-plate by the rings thereof, unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breast-plate be not loosed from the ephod.

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel, in the breast-plate of judgment, upon his heart Partly to admonish the High-priest of that dear affection he should have to his people, and with what ardency he should pray for them, and principally to represent the tender compassions of Christ, the great high-priest, towards his people, and how mindful he is of them and of all their concerns, even when he is in the holy of holies, that is, in heaven, where he remembers them still and uncessantly intercedes for them., when he goeth in unto the holy place (i. e.) Into the most holy place, the positive degree being put for the superlative., for a memorial before the LORD continually.

And thou shalt put in the breast-plate of judgement, the Urim and the Thummim The words confessedly signify light or illuminations and perfections which may be understood either of two differing things, the one noting the knowledge, the other the perfection, to wit, of virtues and graces, which were required in the High-priest and which were in Christ in an eminent degree, and from him alone communicated to his people, or of one and the same thing, noting perfect light or illumination, by a figure called Hendyadis, oft used in Scripture, as Deat. 16. 18. Mat. 4. 16. compared with Iob 10. 20. Ioh. 3. 5. Act. 17. 25. compared with Gen. 2. 7. Which may seem probable, 1. because the great use of this instrument was to give light and direction in dubious and difficult cases, and not to confer any other perfection upon any person. 2. because sometimes both these words or things are expressed only by one of them, and that is by Urim, Numb. 27. 21. 1 Sam. 28. 6. which signifies lights. And the name seems to be given from the effect, because hence the Israelites had clear light and perfect or certain direction in dark and doubtful matters. But the great question is, What this Urim and Thummim was, and in what manner God answered by it. Which God having on purpose concealed from us, and not set down the matter or form of it, as he has done of all the other particulars, it may seem curiosity and presumption for men solicitously to enquire and positively to determine. Many conceive it was nothing else but the twelve precious stones, wherein the names of the 12 Tribes were engraven, and that the answer of God was composed out of those letters which either show more brightly, or thrust themselves further outward than the rest did. Which seems a frivolous and ungrounded conjecture, both because all the letters of the Alphabet were not there, and so all answers could not be given by them, and because it was shut up within the duplicature of the breast-plate, and therefore could not be seen by the High-priest, and there is not a word to signifie that he was to take it out thence and look upon it, but rather the contrary is evident. And that this Urim and Thummim are not the same thing with those 12 stones may be easily proved. 1 because the stones were set and ingraven in the breast-plate, ver. 17, 21. this was only put into it, which is a word of quite different and more loose and large signification, and therefore probably does not design the same thing. 2. It is not likely, that in such a brief account of the sacred utensils, the same command would be repeated again, especially in more dark and general words than it was mentioned before. And how could Moses now put it in, when the workmen had fastened it there before? Or why should he be required to put it in the breast-plate, when it was fastened to it already, and could not without violence be taken from it. 3. because the stones were put in by the workmen, Exod. 39. 10. the Urim and Thummim by Moses himself, Lev. 8. 8. It is objected, that where the stones are mentioned, there is no mention of Urim and Thummim, as Exod. 39. and that where the Urim and Thummim are mentioned, there is no mention of the stones, as Lev. 8. 8. which shows they were one and the same thing. But that is not necessary and there is an evident reason of both those omissions; of the former Exod. 39. because he mentions only those things which were made by the workmen, whereas the Urim and Thummim seems to have been made immediately by God, or by Moses with Gods direction: of the latter Lev. 8. because the stones are implyed in the breast-plate as a part of it and being fastened to it, whereas there he only mentions what was put in by Moses himself. There are other conjectures, as that it was the name Jehovah, or some visible representations, &c. But such conjectures are easily denied as affirmed. It is therefore more modest and reasonable to be silent where God is silent, than to indulge our selves in boundless and groundless fancies. It may suffice us to know that this was a singular piece of Divine Workmanship, which the High-priest was obliged to wear upon solemn occasions, as one of the conditions upon which God engaged to give him answers. Which answers God might give to him either by inward suggestion to his mind, or by a vocal expression to his ear. But which of those ways, or whether by any other way, it is needless now to search, and impossible certainly to discover., and they shall be upon Aarons heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel A short speech. As the testimony is oft put for the ark of the testimony, so is the judgment here for the breast-plate of judgment, i. e. that breast-plate which declared the judgment or oracle or mind of God to the Israelites in those cases which they brought to the Lord. upon his heart, before the LORD continually (i. e.) At all times when he shall appear before the Lord in the holy-place..

And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod Not the Ephod it self, for that was prescribed before ver. 6. but a long and loose robe called the robe of the Ephod, because it was worn next under it, and was girded about the High-priests body with the curious girdle of the Ephod. all of blue.

And there shall be an hole in the top of it in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work, round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.

And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates The figures of Pomegranates, but flat and embroidered. of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof, and bells By the sound whereof the people might be admonished of the work which the Priest was employed in, and thereby be provoked to joyn their affections and devotions with his. These pomegranates and bels might note either 1. the qualifications of the Priest, who was both to declare or give forth the sound of pure and wholesome doctrine, and to adorn his doctrine with the fragrancy and fruitfulness of a good conversation. Or 2. The glorious atchievements of Christ, who caused the sound of his doctrine to be heard by all men, and offered up himself as a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour, Eph. 5. 2. of gold between them round about.

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

And it shall be upon Aaron to Minister, and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not For his disobedience or carelesness. For though the matter might seem small in it self yet it was an errour in Gods worship, wherein God is more severe than in other things, and it was an errour of the High-priest, who had more knowledge of Gods mind herein, and was obliged to more care and diligence, not only for himself, but for the influence of his bad example upon the people..

And thou shalt make a plate Like an half coronet, reaching, as the Iews say, from ear to ear. of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD To mind the Priest of his special consecration to God, and of that singular... oliress which was required of him as at all times so especially in his approaches to God. It might also represent Christ who is called the holy one of God, and who is a crowned Priest, or both King and Priest..

And thou shalt put it on a blue lace The words may be rendered, thou shalt put it on, or, bind it, as the vulgar renders it, with a blue lace, to wit, upon the mitre, as it follows., that it may be upon the mitre, upon the fore-front of the mitre it shall be.

And it shall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things Either, 1. that he, being consecrated to God for this end, that he should take care as far as he could that both persons and things presented to God should be holy or agreeable to the mind of God, might bear the punishment for any miscarriage committed therein, which he could have prevented. Or rather, 2. that he being an holy person and appointed by God to make a typical reconciliation for the of the people, and to intercede for them might take away, or obtain from God the pardon of their iniquity wherewith even their holy things are defiled, if God should severely mark what is amiss in them. Which sense the last words of the verse favour. And the High-Priest was herein eminently a Type of Christ, who properly and truly bare and took away the iniquity of his peoples holy things, by his sacrifice and intercession., which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts (i. e.) Shall separate or consecrate unto God in all their offerings or gifts. If there be any thing amiss either in the thing offered or in the manner of offering, God upon the Priests intercession will pardon it.: and it shall be always (i. e.) At all times of his solemn appearance before God. upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

And thou shalt embroider the coat This was a loose and large garment made with sleeves, worn under the Ephod, reaching down to the seet, which was girt with a girdle, Lev. 8. 7. of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.

And for Aarons sons thou shalt make coats Not of woollen, Ezek. 44. 17. but of linnen, Exod. 39. 27. These were Ephods, 1 Sam. 22. 18., and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him: and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them Heb. fill their hands, i. e. present them to God with part of the sacrifice in their hands, as we find, Exod. 29. 24. by that right putting them into their office., and sanctifie them, that they may minister unto me in the priests office.

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness, from the loins even unto the thighs Including both. Compare Exod. 20. 26. they shall reach.

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar, to minister in the holy place: that they bear not iniquity, and die. It shall be a statute for ever, unto him, and his seed after him.