Exodus 28:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 28:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.
Exodus 28:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, etc.] Called so, because in these he was to minister in the holy place, and perform holy service; and because typical of the holy human nature of Christ our great High Priest, and of his spotless righteousness, and of the garments of sanctification, both outward and inward, that all believers in him, who are made priests unto God, are arrayed with: Aaron and his sons being appointed priests, their garments are first described before their work and even before their consecration to their office; and there were some peculiar to Aaron, or the high priest, and different from those of his sons, or the common priests; and which are first…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“holy garments--No inherent holiness belonged either to the material or the workmanship. But they are called "holy" simply because they were not worn on ordinary occasions, but assumed in the discharge of the sacred functions (Eze 44:19). for glory and for beauty--It was a grand and sumptuous attire. In material, elaborate embroidery, and color, it had an imposing splendor. The tabernacle being adapted to the infantine aid of the church, it was right and necessary that the priests' garments should be of such superb and dazzling appearance, that the people might be inspired with a due respect for the ministers as well as the rites of religion. But they had also a further meaning; for being all…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Exodus 39:1-31.) Moses is now commanded to commit all that pertains to the offerings made to the Lord in the sanctuary to the exclusive charge of the members of a single family, who were to hold their office from generation to generation. In the patriarchal times, the external rites of worship had generally been conducted by the head of the tribe or family, in accordance with the principle involved in the dedication of the firstborn Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:12-13. Moses, as the divinely-appointed and acknowledged leader of the nation, had, on a special occasion, appointed those who were to offer sacrifice, and had himself sprinkled the consecrating blood of the victims on the people…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The priests garments were made for glory and beauty - Some of the richest materials were to be provided, and the belt artists employed in making them, whose skill God, by a special gift, would improve to a very high degree. Eminency, even in common arts, is a gift of God; it comes from him, and, ought to be used for him. The garments appointed were, Four, which both the high - priest and the inferior priests wore, viz. The linen breeches, the linen coat, the linen girdle which fastened it to them, and the bonnet; that which the high - priest wore is called a mitre. Four more which were peculiar to the high - priest, the ephod, with the curious girdle of it, the breast - plate of judgment,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“holy garments: Exo 29:5-9, Exo 29:29, Exo 29:30, Exo 31:10, Exo 39:1, Exo 39:2, Exo 40:13; Lev 8:7-9, Lev 8:30; Num 20:26-28; Psa 132:9, Psa 132:16; Isa 61:3, Isa 61:10, Isa 64:6; Zac 3:3, Zac 3:4; Rom 3:22, Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27; Heb 7:26; Rev 19:8 glory: Exo 28:40, Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Num 27:20, Num 27:21; Job 40:10; Psa 90:16, Psa 90:17, Psa 96:6, Psa 149:4; Isa 4:2; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24; Joh 1:14; Co1 1:30, Co1 1:31; Heb 2:9; Pe2 1:17; Jo1 3:2; Rev 5:10, Rev 19:8 Exodus 28:3”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification