Exodus 28:42-43
You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These linen garments weren't just about modesty; they were a crucial part of maintaining purity in God's presence. Their length, reaching from the hips to the thighs, actively prevented any accidental exposure that could be seen as defiling the sacred space or God Himself. This highlights that even the seemingly practical aspects of worship were deeply spiritual, emphasizing reverence and a separation from the profane.
God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the special garments the priests will wear when serving Him in the Tabernacle. These aren't just any clothes; they are holy garments meant to bring glory and beauty to the service, symbolizing purity and God's holiness. This specific command for linen undergarments ensures decency and modesty for the priests as they minister before the Lord.
Why did God command such specific undergarments for the priests? It wasn't just about fashion; it was about profound reverence.
The command for linen breeches, extending from the loins to the thighs, was a crucial element in maintaining purity and decency during worship. This was a stark contrast to the practices of many pagan nations where priests might minister naked.
God's Standard for Holiness
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These ordinary-looking undergarments were part of a larger, magnificent priestly vestment. What do they foreshadow about Jesus?
The priestly garments, including the linen breeches, were more than just functional attire; they were symbolic. They pointed forward to the ultimate Priest, Jesus Christ.
Shadows of the True High Priest
Understand the original words
ervah · Hebrew Noun
A state of shame, exposure, or human frailty that, in the context of the sanctuary, contrasts with the holiness of God and must be covered.
ohel mo'ed · Hebrew Noun phrase
A designated place where God met with His people through Moses, serving as the dwelling place of the divine presence within the camp.
mizbeah · Hebrew Noun
A raised structure for sacrifice; it represents the place of atonement where the blood of the offering satisfies the requirements of justice.
sharat · Hebrew Verb
To perform priestly duties; it involves service, worship, and the regular execution of prescribed ritual tasks in God's presence.
avon · Hebrew Noun
The culpability or state of liability incurred through sin or ritual uncleanness, which carries the penalty of divine judgment.
chuqqah · Hebrew Noun
A settled rule or requirement established by divine authority, intended to be binding and permanent.
This passage reiterates the importance of purity for priests by commanding them to wear linen garments, specifically their linen attire, when ministering at the altar.
Ezekiel 44:18Centuries later, in Ezekiel's prophecy about the future temple, the priests are again commanded to wear linen on their heads and bodies, and to wear linen breeches to avoid 'scorching heat' when serving the people.
Exodus 20:26This earlier command, given at Mount Sinai, warns against using steps to ascend the altar, ensuring that the priests' nakedness would not be exposed, underscoring the theme of decency in worship.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20The Apostle Paul calls believers to flee sexual immorality and honor God with their bodies, reflecting a similar principle of bodily purity and respect for the sacredness of our physical being, which these priestly garments represented.
clarkeExodus 28:42: "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:"
Linen breeches - This command had in view the necessity of purity and decency in every part of the Divine worship, in opposition to the shocking indecency of the pagan worship in general, in which the priests often ministered naked, as in the sacrifices to Bacchus, etc. On the garments of the high priest some general reflections have already been made; see Exod…
calvinExodus 28:1-43: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even. Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Tu vero accerse ad to Aharonem fratre…
These linen garments weren't just about modesty; they were a crucial part of maintaining purity in God's presence. Their length, reaching from the hips to the thighs, actively prevented any accidental exposure that could be seen as defiling the sacred space or God Himself. This highlights that even the seemingly practical aspects of worship were deeply spiritual, emphasizing reverence and a separation from the profane.
God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the special garments the priests will wear when serving Him in the Tabernacle. These aren't just any clothes; they are holy garments meant to bring glory and beauty to the service, symbolizing purity and God's holiness. This specific command for linen undergarments ensures decency and modesty for the priests as they minister before the Lord.
God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the special garments the priests will wear when serving Him in the Tabernacle. These aren't just any clothes; they are holy garments meant to bring glory and beauty to the service, symbolizing purity and God's holiness. This specific command for linen undergarments ensures decency and modesty for the priests as they minister before the Lord.
"You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to mini…" — These linen garments weren't just about modesty; they were a crucial part of maintaining purity in God's presence. Their length, reaching from the hips to the thighs, actively prevented any accidenta…
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