Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Describe the acts by which Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood. See Exodus 29:4-7 (printed below)
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. (5) Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastplate. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. (6) Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred diadem to the turban. (7) Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. (Exodus 29:4-7)
Aaron and his sons were brought before the door of the tent of meeting and were washed with water (verse 4); this symbolized their purification from sin and for service to the Lord who is holy. Aaron was then clothed with the sacred garments prepared for the high priest (verses 5-6). The priestly garments represent the glory and the splendor of the priesthood, especially depicted by the robes; the ministry of the priesthood, especially depicted by the ephod and the breastplate; and the spiritual authority of the priesthood, especially depicted by the crown-like turban. Then Aaron was anointed with the holy anointing oil (verse 7); the anointing with the holy oil symbolized the priest being anointed with the Holy Spirit in order to carry out his divinely ordained ministry.
2. Describe the high priest’s garment called “the ephod.” See Exodus 28:6-14 (printed below)
Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. (7) It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. (8) Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen. (9) Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel (10) in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. (11) Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings (12) and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. (13) Make gold filigree settings (14) and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings. (Exodus 28:6-14)
The ephod was a type of vest, perhaps reaching no lower than the waist, joined only at the shoulders; its main function was to carry the memorial stones and the breastplate. On top of each shoulder piece of the ephod was set an onyx stone (a precious gem stone often pale blue in color). Upon the two onyx stones were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (six names on each stone), and the stones were encased in gold settings. Verse 12 indicates that the two stones were to be “memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before Jehovah.” The spiritual significance of the engraved stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod worn by the high priest: the high priest appeared before the Lord representing in his own person all the Lord’s people who are precious to Him and bearing them before the Lord in intercession.
3. Describe the high priest’s breastplate. See Exodus 28:15-30 (printed below)
Fashion a breastplate for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. (16) It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. (17) Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; (18) in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; (19) in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; (20) in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. (21) There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. (22) For the breastplate make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. (23) Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastplate. (24) Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastplate, (25) and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. (26) Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastplate on the inside edge next to the ephod. (27) Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. (28) The rings of the breastplate are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastplate will not swing out from the ephod. (29) Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastplate of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. (30) Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. (Exodus 28:15-30)
The breastplate of (covenant) rights was a nine inch by eighteen inch piece of material folded over to form a nine inch by nine inch square pouch attached to the ephod. Note: whereas the NIV translates this item, “a breastplate for making decisions,” and the ASV gives the translation, “a breastplate of judgment,” a better translation would seem to be: “a breastplate of covenantal rights.” The Hebrew word, often translated “judgment,” also has the meaning, “rights,” which seems to be the sense of the word in this passage. Four rows of precious gemstones (each stone different from the others) were fastened to the breastplate in a gold setting. The Urim and Thummim (literally, “the Lights and the Perfections”) were placed inside the breastplate; they were used as instruments of revelation to discern the mind of God (note Numbers 27:21). According to verse 29, Aaron “will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastplate of covenantal rights as a continuing memorial before Jehovah.” The spiritual significance of the breastplate of (covenant) rights: the people of God are precious to their high priest (they are next to his heart) and he “reminds” the Lord that they are precious to Him and have covenantal rights before Him.
4. Describe the high priest’s robe. See Exodus 28:31-35 (printed below)
Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, (32) with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. (33) Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. (34) The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. (35) Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. (Exodus 28:31-35)
Immediately under the ephod Aaron was to wear the high priest’s robe. It was woven of blue cloth, without a seam it was sleeveless, having only a hole for the head. Attached to the bottom edge of the robe were blue, purple and scarlet pomegranates alternating with golden bells. The spiritual significance of the high priestly robe: the seamless robe represented the integrity (the undivided devotion of heart to God) that the Lord requires for one to approach His holy throne. The pomegranates represented a life that is fruitful and well-pleasing to God. The sound of the bells heralding both the high priest’s approach to the Lord and his return would indicate to the people that he and his offering on their behalf were acceptable to the Lord (the sounding of the bells indicated that the high priest had not been consumed by the Lord’s holy presence).
5. Describe the high priest’s mitre (or, turban). See Exodus 28:36-38 (printed below)
Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO JEHOVAH. (37) Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. (38) It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. (Exodus 28:36-38)
The mitre, or turban, was made of white linen. Attached to the turban by a blue cord was a small plate of pure gold with the inscription, “Holy to Jehovah.” The small gold plate, attached to the bottom edge of the mitre, was positioned across Aaron’s forehead. Aaron was to always wear this turban with the engraved gold plate, so that he may “bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate…so that they may be acceptable to Jehovah.” The spiritual significance of the turban and the engraved gold plate: in his capacity as the Holy One of God, the high priest is able to provide forgiveness and acceptance with God for the Lord’s people.
