Exodus 28:42

Make linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, extending from waist to thigh.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God commands Moses to construct specific vestments for Aaron and his sons during the preparation for priestly consecration. These garments become mandatory whenever the priests enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar.

The words — מִכְנְסֵי־ בָד (mikh.ne.sei vad) translates to "linen undergarments," and עֶרְוָה ('er.vah) denotes "nakedness." The verb לְ/כַסּ֖וֹת (le./kha.Sot) specifies the action "to cover."

The thread — The linen undergarment requirement appears in Leviticus 6:10 and Leviticus 16:4 for altar service, and Ezekiel 44:18 reiterates the mandate for temple ministers.

Why it lands — The text establishes a literal boundary of fabric from waist to thigh to prevent priestly death during sacred service. Readers must apply precise obedience to ritual specifications without altering the prescribed measurements.

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

וַעֲשֵׂ֤הva./'a.Sehand/ makeלָהֶם֙la./Hemfor <the>/ themמִכְנְסֵי־mikh.ne.sei-undergarments of בָ֔דVadlinen לְכַסּ֖וֹתle./kha.Sotto/ cover בְּשַׂ֣רbe.Sar[the] flesh of עֶרְוָ֑ה'er.Vahnakedness מִמָּתְנַ֥יִםmi./ma.te.Na.yimfrom/ [the] hips וְעַד־ve./'ad-and/ to יְרֵכַ֖יִםye.re.Kha.yim[the] thighs יִהְיֽוּ׃yih.Yuthey will be

King James Version

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Cross-references

Leviticus 6:10 And the priest shall put on his linen robe and linen undergarments, and he shall remove from the altar the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed and place them beside it.
Leviticus 16:4 He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.
Ezekiel 44:18 They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
Exodus 39:28 as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Exodus 20:26 And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’