Exodus 28:31-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 28:31-39

Here is, 1. Direction given concerning the robe of the ephod, Exod. 28:31-35. This was next under the ephod, and reached down to the knees, was without sleeves, and was put on over their head, having holes on the sides to put the arms through, or, as Maimonides describes it, was not sewed together on the sides at all. The hole on the top, through which the head was put, was carefully bound about, that it might not tear in the putting on. In religious worship, care must be taken to prevent... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:31

And thou shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. This was a different garment from the ephod, was longer than that, and was under it, and of different materials: that was made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen; this only of linen, and wholly of a blue colour, without any curious figures upon it, as were on that: in Exodus 39:22 , it is said to be of woven work; it was woven from top to bottom, and had no seam in it: so Josephus says F2 Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 4. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:32

And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof ,.... At the neck of it, for the high priest to put his head through when he put it on: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it ; a large hem or selvage, perhaps of the same kind of woven stuff the robe itself was made of, and this was done to strengthen it: as it were the hole of an habergeon ; a corslet or coat of mail: that it be not rent ; when the high priest put it on; or through the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:33

And beneath upon the hem of it ,.... Or the skirts of it, at the bottom of the robe: thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof ; these were figures made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, in the form of pomegranates: Jarchi says they were round and hollow, and made like hens' eggs, about the size of them, and of an oval form: and bells of gold between them round about ; according to some, the bells were put into the pomegranates,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:34

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate ,.... First a golden bell and then a pomegranate, then a bell and then a pomegranate again, and so on: upon the hem of the robe round about ; all round the hem or skirts of the robe were they placed in this manner: the Targum of Jonathan says, the sum or number of them were seventy one; but Maimonides F3 Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 4. says there were seventy two, thirty six in each skirt; and so says R. Levi... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 28:35

And it shall be upon Aaron to minister ,.... That is, the robe before described shall be put upon him, that he might minister in the priest's office, for without this, as well as the other garments, he might not: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out ; by means of which the priests would have notice that they might depart, and he be alone in his ministrations; or rather, that the people might know his going out and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 28:31

The robe of the ephod - See Clarke on Exodus 28:4 ; (note). From this description, and from what Josephus says, who must have been well acquainted with its form, we find that this meil , or robe, was one long straight piece of blue cloth, with a hole or opening in the center for the head to pass through; which hole or opening was bound about, that it might not be rent in putting it on or taking it off, Exodus 28:32 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 28:35

His sound shall be heard - The bells were doubtless intended to keep up the people's attention to the very solemn and important office which the priest was then performing, that they might all have their hearts engaged in the work; and at the same time to keep Aaron himself in remembrance that he ministered before Jehovah, and should not come into his presence without due reverence. That he die not - This seems an allusion to certain ceremonies which still prevail in the eastern... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 28:31

Verse 31 31.And thou shalt make the robe. This robe was above the oblong coat between that and the ephod; and from its lower edge hung the bells and pomegranates alternately. Although there was no smell in the pomegranates, (164) yet the type suggested this to the eyes; as if God required in that garment a sweet smell as well as a sound; and surely we who stink through the foulness of our sins, are only a sweet smell unto God as being covered with the garment of Christ. But God would have the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:1-38

Aaron in his priesthood the type of Jesus. I. IN HIS APPOINTMENT ( Exodus 28:1 ). 1 . He is chosen of God ( Hebrews 5:4 ), and therefore our accepted intercessor. 2 . He is taken from among his brethren; "from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me." The priest who ministers before God for us must go up with a brother's heart and with experience of human infirmity ( Hebrews 4:15 ). II. IN HIS ARRAY . The holy garments were "for glory and... read more

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