Question 1

What is the main purpose of the priestly garments in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The priestly garments are given so Aaron and his sons can serve God in a way that fits their holy calling. God says they are “for glory and for beauty,” which means they show the honor of the priest’s work and the beauty of God’s holiness. The clothes remind the priests who they belong to and what they are doing, and they help the people see that coming to God is not casual. The garments also picture deeper truths, like purity, intercession, and a coming perfect High Priest who fully lives out what these garments point to.

Question 2

Why are the names of the tribes of Israel on Aaron’s shoulders and breastplate?

Accepted Answer

The names of the tribes are engraved on onyx stones on Aaron’s shoulders and on twelve precious stones on the breastplate. This shows that the high priest does not go before God for himself alone but carries the people with him. On the shoulders he bears them in a strong, supportive way; on his breastplate he carries them close to his heart. Each tribe is remembered by name. It is a picture of how God remembers His people and how a true mediator stands before God on behalf of others, not in his own name only.

Question 3

What is the breastplate of judgment and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

The breastplate of judgment is a square piece worn over Aaron’s chest, made of fine materials and set with twelve precious stones. It is called the breastplate of judgment because the high priest was to carry it when seeking God’s decisions for the people. It held the Urim and Thummim, which were used in some way to know God’s will. By wearing it over his heart, Aaron “bears the judgment of the children of Israel,” meaning he brings their cases, needs, and questions before God, trusting God to give light and right decisions.

Question 4

What are the Urim and Thummim placed in the breastplate?

Accepted Answer

The Urim and Thummim are placed inside the breastplate of judgment and are linked to knowing God’s will. Their exact form and how they worked are not fully explained, but their names point to “light” and “perfection.” Together they picture clear guidance and complete truth coming from God. When Aaron went in before the Lord with the breastplate on his heart, he was to bear the people’s judgment, trusting God to give light and right answers. They remind us that true wisdom and clear direction for God’s people must come from God Himself.

Question 5

Why did Aaron wear a gold plate engraved “Holiness to the Lord”?

Accepted Answer

The gold plate with “Holiness to the Lord” was worn on Aaron’s forehead. It showed that his whole service was set apart to a holy God. The passage says this plate is so Aaron may “bear the iniquity of the holy things” the people bring. Even their best gifts are not perfect, so the high priest, marked by holiness, carries their faults before God. With this plate always on his forehead, their offerings are accepted. It teaches that access to God needs holiness, and that a mediator must bear the weakness and sin that still cling to our worship.

Question 6

Why did the priests need linen breeches to cover their nakedness?

Accepted Answer

The linen breeches were required to cover the priests from their waist to their thighs whenever they came into the tent of meeting or near the altar. God says this is so they “bear not iniquity, and die.” This shows that shame and uncovered nakedness had no place in His holy presence. The clothing was not only about beauty but also about modesty and respect. It reminded the priests that they were sinners serving a holy God and that nothing unclean or shameful should be brought lightly into His service. Obeying this was a matter of life and death.

Question 7

Why were Aaron and his sons anointed, consecrated, and sanctified?

Accepted Answer

Aaron and his sons were anointed, consecrated, and sanctified so they could serve as priests. Anointing with oil, putting on the garments, and filling their hands with what they were to offer marked them off from the rest of the people. This showed that no one could take this honor for themselves, but only those God chose and prepared. Their whole persons, from what they wore to the work they did, belonged to God. It points to the need for a God-given calling and for being set apart in heart and life for serving Him.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s character and holiness?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is holy and must be approached in the way He commands. The detailed design of the garments, the rich materials, and the repeated warning about bearing iniquity and not dying all show that God is not casual about worship. He cares about how He is honored, yet He also makes a way for sinful people to come near through a priest who carries their names and their failures. We see both His purity and His mercy: He requires holiness, and He also provides a mediator who stands before Him on behalf of the people.

Question 9

How do Aaron’s priestly garments point ahead to Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Aaron’s garments picture what is perfectly true of Jesus. Aaron needed special clothes to cover his own sins and to show glory and beauty that were not naturally his. Jesus, by contrast, is pure and full of glory in Himself. The stones with the tribes’ names hint at how Jesus carries His people on His heart and shoulders. The words “Holiness to the Lord” point to His complete holiness. The breastplate of judgment and the Urim and Thummim point to Jesus as the one who brings God’s light and guidance. All that Aaron’s clothing suggested, Jesus truly is.

Exodus 28:1

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Garments for the Priests

The Ephod

The Breastpiece

Additional Priestly Garments

Garments for the Priests

Cross References

Exodus 28:1

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

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Garments for the Priests

The Ephod

The Breastpiece

Additional Priestly Garments

Garments for the Priests

Cross References