Bible Strands
Exodus 28:4
These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses at Sinai to direct skilled craftsmen in constructing specific vestments for Aaron and his sons. This command follows the consecration directive and precedes the material specifications for the priestly wardrobe.
The words — The text explicitly names חֹשֶׁן (chošen, "breastpiece") and אֵפוֹד ('ephod, "ephod") as the first items to be fashioned. These terms establish the physical inventory before the remaining garments are listed.
The thread — The breastpiece reappears as a metaphor for righteousness in Ephesians 6:14 and as a visual detail in Revelation 9:17. The tunic, turban, and sash return in Exodus 28:39 with precise weaving and embroidery instructions.
Why it lands — The verse requires exact compliance with a divinely specified inventory for sacred service. It establishes that priestly function depends on constructed, designated garments rather than improvised or personal attire.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
- Revelation 9:17 Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur.
- Exodus 28:39 You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash.
- Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
- Exodus 28:6 They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
- Exodus 39:2 Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
- Exodus 39:8 He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
- Exodus 39:25 They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates,
- Exodus 39:28 as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,