Make holy garmentsThe instruction to make holy garments signifies the importance of setting apart Aaron and his descendants for the priestly service. In the ancient Near Eastern context, garments often symbolized one's role and status. The holiness of these garments indicates their consecration for divine service, reflecting the sacred nature of the priesthood. The concept of holiness is central in the Bible, emphasizing separation from the common for God's purposes (
Leviticus 20:26).
for your brother Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, is chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. This familial relationship underscores the continuity of God's covenant with the Israelites, as Aaron's lineage would continue the priestly duties. Aaron's role is pivotal in the religious life of Israel, serving as a mediator between God and the people, a role that foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:1-10).
to give him glory and splendor
The garments are designed to bestow glory and splendor upon Aaron, reflecting the dignity and honor of the priestly office. This glory is not inherent but is granted by God, symbolizing the divine approval and authority bestowed upon the priest. The splendor of the garments, with their intricate design and precious materials, mirrors the beauty and majesty of God's holiness. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AaronThe brother of Moses, chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. His role was to mediate between God and the Israelites, performing sacrifices and rituals as prescribed by the Law.
2.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. He was instructed by God to oversee the creation of the priestly garments.
3.
Holy GarmentsSpecial clothing designed for Aaron and his sons to wear while serving as priests. These garments were meant to set them apart for their sacred duties and to reflect the glory and beauty of God.
4.
TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey through the wilderness. The priestly garments were part of the broader system of worship established by God.
5.
IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob, chosen by God to be His people. They were to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, with the priesthood serving as a central element of their covenant relationship with God.
Teaching Points
The Significance of HolinessThe garments were "holy," signifying that those who serve God must be set apart and dedicated to Him. As believers, we are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character in our actions and attitudes.
Glory and Beauty in WorshipThe garments were made "for glory and for beauty," illustrating that worship should honor God and reflect His majesty. Our worship, both individually and corporately, should be conducted with reverence and excellence.
The Role of MediationAaron's role as a mediator points to the necessity of a mediator between God and humanity. Jesus Christ fulfills this role perfectly, and we can approach God with confidence through Him.
The Importance of ObedienceMoses was instructed to make the garments according to God's specific design. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands in every aspect of our lives.
Our Identity as PriestsAs believers, we are called to be a royal priesthood. This identity calls us to live lives that are distinct and dedicated to serving God and others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 28:2?
2.How does Exodus 28:2 emphasize the importance of holiness in leadership roles?
3.What does "holy garments" symbolize in the context of spiritual leadership today?
4.How can we apply the concept of "glory and beauty" in our daily lives?
5.How does Exodus 28:2 connect to the New Testament's teachings on priesthood?
6.In what ways can we honor God through our attire and presentation?
7.What is the significance of "holy garments" in Exodus 28:2 for Aaron's priesthood?
8.How does Exodus 28:2 reflect the importance of beauty and glory in worship?
9.Why were specific garments necessary for Aaron according to Exodus 28:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 28?
11.Exodus 28:2–5: Where did nomadic Israelites supposedly in the desert acquire the costly fabrics, precious stones, and gold for such elaborate garments?
12.What does 'ephod' mean?
13.How do other biblical passages reconcile or contradict Leviticus 21’s strict requirements for priestly purity and appearance?
14.If Joshua’s filthy garments symbolize sin, how does this literal exchange of clothes in Zechariah 3 align with other biblical texts about atonement practices?What Does Exodus 28:2 Mean
Make holy garments“Make holy garments…” (Exodus 28:2)
• Holiness is separation for God’s service. God previously called the Sabbath “holy” (Exodus 20:8,11) and declared His people a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). Clothing the high priest in holy attire continues that theme of set-apartness.
• Garments communicate identity; Joseph’s coat marked him out (Genesis 37:3), and the white robes of Revelation point to the redeemed (Revelation 7:13-14). Aaron’s vestments visibly signal consecration for sacred duty.
• The instruction comes directly from God, reminding us that worship isn’t left to human creativity but to divine prescription (Leviticus 10:1-3).
For your brother Aaron“…for your brother Aaron…”
• Aaron is singled out, not through personal merit but divine appointment (Exodus 28:1). Just as God chose Moses to lead, He chooses Aaron to mediate.
• The family aspect matters. God establishes priesthood within a lineage, prefiguring Jesus, our ultimate High Priest who is likewise appointed by the Father (Hebrews 5:4-5).
• Making garments “for” Aaron implies the community’s role in supporting their priest. The craftsmen supply skill (Exodus 28:3), and the people offer materials (Exodus 25:2-7), illustrating shared responsibility in worship.
To give him glory and splendor“…to give him glory and splendor.”
• Glory (honor) and splendor (beauty) reflect God’s own attributes (Psalm 104:1-2). The priest’s appearance mirrors, in measure, the majesty of the One he represents.
• External beauty is not vanity here; it underscores the weightiness of approaching a holy God (2 Chronicles 2:5-6).
• The ornate garments anticipate Christ’s transfiguration, where His clothing becomes dazzling white (Mark 9:3), revealing divine glory in fullest form.
• When believers are called “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), we too are to display God’s glory—not with ephods and breastpieces, but with lives clothed in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10,Revelation 19:8).
summaryExodus 28:2 shows God directing unique, consecrated clothing for Aaron so that the high priest visibly embodies holiness, divine appointment, and the honor due God. The garments set Aaron apart, remind Israel of God’s glory, and foreshadow the perfect priesthood of Christ and the calling of every believer to live set-apart lives that reflect His splendor.
(2)
Holy garments.--Though holiness is, strictly speaking, a personal quality, yet all nations have felt it right to regard as "holy," in a certain modified sense, all those material objects which are connected with religion and employed in the worship of God. Hence we hear, both in Scripture and elsewhere, of "holy places," "holy vessels," "holy books," "holy garments." These last are required especially for the ministrants in holy places, who need to be marked out by some evident signs from the body of the worshippers. In Egypt the ministering priests in temples always wore peculiar dresses; and probably there was no nation in the time of Moses which, if it possessed a class of priests, did not distinguish them by some special costume, at any rate when they were officiating. The natural instinct which thus exhibited itself, received Divine sanction by the communications which were made to Moses in Sinai, whereby special dresses were appointed both for the high priest and for the ordinary priests.
For glory and for beauty.--These words have great force. God would have His priests richly, as well as decently, apparelled, for two objects--(1) For glory--to glorify them--to give them an exalted position in the eyes of the nation, to cause them to be respected, and their office to be highly regarded; (2) for beauty--to make the worship of the sanctuary more beautiful than it would otherwise have been, to establish a harmony between the richly-adorned tabernacle and those who ministered in it; to give to the service of the sanctuary the highest artistic, as well as the highest spiritual, perfection. The relation of art to religion is a subject on which volumes have been written, and which cannot be discussed here; but God's regard for "beauty" is here brought prominently before us, and no honest exegesis can ignore the pregnant fact that when God was pleased to give directions for His worship upon earth, they were made subservient, not only to utility and convenience, but to beauty. Beauty, it would seem, is not a thing despised by the Creator of the universe.
Verse 2. -
Holy garments have provoked an extreme aversion and an extreme affection at different periods of the world's history. In Moses' time probably no one thought of raising any objection to them. Priestly dresses of many different kinds were worn in Egypt, and some costume other than that of ordinary life, was probably affected by the priest class of every nation. Without entering into any elaborate "philosophy of clothes," we may say that the
rationale of the matter would seem to be that expressed with great moderation by Richard Hooker - "To solemn actions of royalty and justice their suitable ornaments are a beauty. Are they in religion only a stain?" (See
Eccl. Pol. 5:29, § 1.) The garments ordered to be made for Aaron and his sons (ver. 41), are said to have been
for glory and for beauty.
1. "For glory." To exalt the priestly office in the eyes of the people - to make them look with greater reverence on the priests themselves and the priestly functions - to place the priests in a class by themselves, in a certain sense, above the rest of the nation.
2. "For beauty." As fit and comely in themselves - suitable to the functions which the priests exercised - in harmony with the richness and beauty of the sanctuary wherein they were to minister. God, himself, it would seem, is not indifferent to beauty. He has spread beauty over the earth, fie will have beauty in his earthly dwelling-place. He requires men to worship him "in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2;Psalm 96:9;1 Chronicles 16:29). He ordains for his priests rich and splendid dresses "for glory and for beauty."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Makeוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ(wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeholyקֹ֖דֶשׁ(qō·ḏeš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctitygarmentsבִגְדֵי־(ḇiḡ·ḏê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899:A covering, clothing, treachery, pillagefor your brotherאָחִ֑יךָ(’ā·ḥî·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )Aaronלְאַהֲרֹ֣ן(lə·’a·hă·rōn)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175:Aaron -- an elder brother of Mosesto give him dignityלְכָב֖וֹד(lə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3519:Weight, splendor, copiousnessand splendor.וּלְתִפְאָֽרֶת׃(ū·lə·ṯip̄·’ā·reṯ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8597:Beauty, glory
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OT Law: Exodus 28:2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron (Exo. Ex) 
