Exodus Chapter 28 verse 40 Holy Bible

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 40-43. - THE APPAREL OF THE ORDINARY PRIESTS. The chapter concludes with brief directions concerning the official attire of the ordinary priests. This was to consist of linen drawers like those of the high priest; of a tunic, also of linen (Exodus 39:27), shaped like his, but not diapered; of a linen girdle, the exact character of which is not stated; and of a close-fitting cap. The entire dress, with perhaps the exception of the girdle, was white. The linen drawers were regarded as of primary necessity, and the priest who did not wear them was threatened with death. Verse 40. - For Aaron's sons. His actual sons at this time - his descendants afterwards, to whom the priesthood was rigidly confined. Thou shalt make coats. The verb is different from that used in ver 39, and seems to imply that the priests' tunics were not to be patterned. Girdles. It has generally been supposed that these were of the same material and workmanship as the high priest's; but this is nowhere stated. In Exodus 39:29, the high priest's girdle alone is spoken cf. Bonnets. Certainly not "bonnets "in the modern sense. Plain, close-fitting caps, shaped like a cup, or rather basin, seem to be meant. Such caps were often worn in Egypt, but not by the priests. For glory and for beauty. See above, ver. 2. It is very noticeable, that the extremely simple attire of the ordinary priests - a dress of pure white, without anything ornamental about it, unless it were the girdle - is still regarded as sufficient "for glory and for beauty." White robes have certainly a vast amount of scriptural testimony in their favour (Leviticus 16:4; Mark 9:3; John 20:12; Acts 1:10; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 7:9, 14, etc.).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers7. THE MINISTERIAL ATTIRE OF THE PRIESTS.(40) For Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats--i.e., linen tunics like that of the high priest already described (see the last Note on Exodus 28:39), but not woven in any peculiar fashion.Girdles.--Perhaps similar to the inner girdle of the high priest, but nowhere described particularly.Bonnets.--Rather, caps. Plain, close-fitting caps, like those so commonly worn in Egypt, seem to be intended. The word used, migba'ah, is derived from gabia', "a cup" or "basin."For glory and for beauty.--It is certainly remarkable that so plain a dress as that of the ordinary priests--a white tunic, a girdle, which may or may not have been embroidered, and a plain white close-fitting cap--should be regarded as sufficing "for glory and for beauty." White robes, however, are in Scripture constantly represented as eminently glorious (Daniel 7:9; Mark 9:3; John 20:12; Acts 1:10; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 7:9-14; Revelation 15:6, &c.). . . .