Exodus 28 details God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to set apart Aaron and his sons as priests and to design sacred garments for glory, beauty, and service.
Key Points by Verses
- Calling the Priesthood (28:1–5): God selects Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests.
- The priests were Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (28:1).
- Skilled artisans, whom God had filled with a spirit of wisdom, were to make the holy garments "for glory and for beauty" (28:2–3).
- The materials were gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen (28:5).
- The Ephod and Shoulder Stones (28:6–14): The ephod was the high priest's most prominent garment.
- It was woven of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, made in two pieces joined at the shoulders and held by a skillfully woven band (28:6–8).
- Two onyx stones were set in gold on the shoulders, each engraved with six tribal names in the order of their birth (28:9–12).
- The stones were "for remembrance before the Lord," attached by chains of pure gold (28:12, 14).
- The Breastpiece and the Urim and Thummim (28:15–30): The breastpiece of judgment was worn over Aaron's heart.
- It was square, set with twelve different stones in four rows of three, each engraved with the name of a tribe (28:16–21).
- It was fastened to the ephod with gold settings and chains (28:22–28).
- The Urim and Thummim were placed inside it, and Aaron carried the people's names over his heart "continually before the Lord" (28:29–30).
- The Robe and the Golden Bells (28:31–35): The robe of the ephod was worn beneath the ephod.
- It was entirely blue, with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn alternating with golden bells around the hem (28:31–34).
- The sound of the bells had to be heard when Aaron entered and left the Holy Place, "so that he does not die" (28:35).
- The Golden Plate and Aaron's Turban (28:36–39): A plate of pure gold marked the high priest as holy to the Lord.
- It was engraved like a signet with "Holy to the Lord" and fastened to the turban with a blue cord (28:36–37).
- It was worn on Aaron's forehead, so that he would bear the guilt connected with the holy gifts and the people would be accepted before the Lord (28:38).
- Aaron also wore a checkered tunic, a linen turban and an embroidered sash (28:39).
- The Sons' Garments and the Undergarments (28:40–43): The other priests' clothing and a rule of modesty.
- Aaron's sons were to have tunics, sashes and caps "for glory and for beauty" (28:40).
- Linen undergarments reaching from the hips to the thighs were to cover their nakedness whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar, "lest they bear guilt and die" (28:42–43).
Spiritual Implication
- The Call: Priesthood Is God's Appointment.
- The Old Testament meaning: Priesthood did not come from ambition, talent or election. It came from God's calling and choosing (28:1; Hebrews 5:4). The garments were "for glory and for beauty," showing the dignity of the office God gave.
- Fulfilled in Christ: Christ did not exalt Himself to become high priest. He was appointed by the One who called Him (Heb. 5:4–5). He is the great high priest who has passed through the heavens (Hebrews 4:14).
- Application: Believers are called a holy and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:5–6). Service begins with God's call and grace, not our own credentials.
- The Colors and Materials: The Glory of the Priest.
- Traditional reading: Gold suggests majesty, blue the heavenly, purple royalty, scarlet redemption and sacrifice, and fine linen purity and righteousness. The text does not state these meanings, but they are a common reading.
- Fulfilled in Christ: These themes come together in Christ, who is heavenly and royal, who redeemed us with His blood, and who is perfectly holy (Hebrews 7:26).
- Application: Believers are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27) and called to a life of purity and righteousness (Ephesians 4:24).
- The Shoulders and the Heart: Carrying the People.
- The Old Testament meaning: Aaron bore the tribal names on his shoulders and over his heart "before the Lord" (28:12, 29). Traditionally, the shoulders suggest strength to bear burdens, and the heart suggests love and remembrance. Both pictured the high priest's care for the people. Every tribe, large or small, was carried equally.
- Fulfilled in Christ: Christ carries His people before God. He lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34), bearing both the weight of their sin and the love for them in His heart.
- Application: Believers are secure in Christ's care. As priests, they are also called to carry others in prayer, with both strength and love.
- The Urim and Thummim: Guidance from God.
- The Old Testament meaning: God gave direction to the community through these objects when the priest came into His presence (28:30; Numbers 27:21). The Hebrew meaning, traditionally "lights and perfections," is uncertain.
- Fulfilled in Christ: God's people are guided finally by Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12).
- Application: God still guides His people. Believers seek His direction through His Word, which is a lamp to our feet (Psalms 119:105), and through the Spirit who guides into truth (John 16:13).
- The Bells and Pomegranates: Service That Bears Fruit.
- The Old Testament meaning: The text says only that the sound of the bells was needed when Aaron entered and left the Holy Place, so that he would not die. Traditionally, the bells suggest active service that can be heard, and the pomegranates the fruit of life.
- Application: Ministry needs both service and a life that bears fruit. Sound without fruit is empty. Fruit comes from abiding in Christ (John 15:5; Matthew 7:16–20; Galatians 5:22–23).
- The Golden Plate: Holiness Covers Our Imperfect Offerings.
- The Old Testament meaning: "Holy to the Lord" was worn on Aaron's forehead so that he would bear the guilt connected with the holy gifts. Even the people's best offerings were imperfect and needed to be covered by the high priest's holiness.
- Fulfilled in Christ: Aaron himself was a sinner, but Christ is holy, blameless and unstained, with no need to offer for His own sins (Hebrews 7:26–28). He bore our sin in His body (1 Peter 2:24).
- Application: Believers' service and worship are accepted not because they are perfect, but because they are offered through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15). We are also called to holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16).
- The Undergarments: Reverence in God's Presence.
- The Old Testament meaning: The priests had to be covered when entering the tent of meeting or approaching the altar. Approaching a holy God calls for reverence, modesty and obedience, or judgment follows (28:42–43).
- Application: Believers draw near with confidence through Christ (Hebrews 10:19–22), but still with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28–29). Being covered by Christ's righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) is our true garment.
出埃及記第 28 章詳細記載了神在西乃山上向摩西發出的指示：將亞倫及其眾子分別為聖，立為祭司，並為他們設計既顯榮耀華美又適於供職的聖服。
本章經文要點
- 祭司職分的呼召 (28:1–5): 神揀選亞倫和他的兒子們作祂的祭司。
- 祭司是亞倫和他的兒子拿答、亞比戶、以利亞撒、以他瑪 (28:1)。
- 神指示那些被祂以智慧的靈充滿、技藝精湛的工匠，製作聖衣，「為榮耀，為華美」 (28:2–3)。
- 材料是金線、藍色、紫色、朱紅色線和細麻 (28:5)。
- 以弗得與肩上的寶石 (28:6–14): 以弗得是大祭司最顯著的一件衣袍。
- 以弗得用金線、藍色、紫色、朱紅色線和細麻精工織成，由前後兩片在肩部相連，並以巧工織的帶子繫緊 (28:6–8)。
- 兩肩上各有一塊紅瑪瑙，鑲在金槽中，上面刻著以色列十二支派的名字，每塊六個，按出生次序排列 (28:9–12)。
- 這兩塊寶石「在耶和華面前作紀念」，並以精金的鏈子繫連 (28:12, 14)。
- 胸牌與烏陵、土明 (28:15–30): 決斷的胸牌戴在亞倫的胸前。
- 胸牌是方形的，鑲嵌十二塊各不相同的寶石，分四行，每行三塊，每塊刻一個支派的名字 (28:16–21)。
- 胸牌用金槽和金鏈繫在以弗得上 (28:22–28)。
- 烏陵和土明放在胸牌內，亞倫把百姓的名字帶在胸前，「常在耶和華面前」(28:29–30)。
- 外袍與金鈴鐺 (28:31–35): 以弗得的外袍穿在以弗得之內。
- 外袍全為藍色，下擺周圍有用藍色、紫色、朱紅色線織成的石榴，與金鈴鐺相間排列 (28:31–34)。
- 亞倫進出聖所供職時，必須聽見鈴聲，「免得死亡」 (28:35)。
- 金牌與亞倫的頭巾 (28:36–39): 一塊純金牌標明大祭司是歸耶和華為聖。
- 金牌像刻圖章一樣刻著「歸耶和華為聖」，用藍細帶繫在頭巾上 (28:36–37)。
- 金牌戴在亞倫的額前，使他擔當聖物的罪孽，叫百姓在耶和華面前蒙悅納 (28:38)。
- 亞倫還要穿方格紋的內袍，戴細麻頭巾，繫繡花的腰帶 (28:39)。
- 亞倫眾子的衣袍與貼身衣物 (28:40–43): 其他祭司的衣著，以及端莊的規定。
- 亞倫的兒子們要有內袍、腰帶和帽子，「為榮耀，為華美」(28:40)。
- 祭司進入會幕或就近祭壇供職時，必須穿上細麻布褲子，從腰到大腿，遮蓋肉體的赤露，「免得擔罪而死」(28:42–43)。
屬靈意義
- 呼召：祭司職分出於神的揀選。
- 舊約的意義： 祭司的職分不是靠野心、才幹或選舉得來，而是出於神的呼召與揀選 (28:1; 希伯來書 5:4). 聖衣「為榮耀，為華美」，彰顯神所賜這職分的尊貴。
- 在基督裡的成全： 基督並沒有自己高抬自己作大祭司，而是由那位呼召祂的父所任命 (希伯來書 5:4–5). 祂是經過諸天、尊榮的大祭司 (希伯來書 4:14)。
- 應用： 信徒被稱為聖潔、君尊的祭司 (彼得前書 2:5, 9; 啟示錄 1:5–6). 事奉始於神的呼召與恩典，而不是我們自己的資歷。
- 色彩與材質：祭司的榮耀。
- 傳統解讀： 金線象徵尊貴，藍色象徵屬天，紫色象徵君王的權柄，朱紅色象徵救贖與犧牲，細麻象徵純潔與公義。經文沒有明說這些意義，但這是常見的解釋。
- 在基督裡的成全： 這些主題都在基督身上彙聚：祂屬天、為君王，以自己的血救贖我們，並且全然聖潔 (希伯來書 7:26)。
- 應用： 信徒已經披戴基督 (加拉太書 3:27) ，並蒙召過純潔、公義的生活 (以弗所書 4:24).
- 肩與心：擔負百姓。
- 舊約的意義： 亞倫把支派的名字背在肩上，帶在胸前，「在耶和華面前」 (28:12, 29)。傳統上，肩膀象徵擔負重擔的力量，心象徵愛與記念，兩者都描繪出大祭司對百姓的看顧。無論支派大小，每一個都同樣被承載著。
- 在基督裡的成全： 基督在神面前擔負祂的子民。祂永遠活著，替他們祈求 (希伯來書 7:25; 羅馬書 8:34)，既擔當他們罪的重擔，也把他們放在祂愛的心裡。
- 應用： 信徒在基督的看顧中得享安穩。作為祭司，我們也蒙召以力量與愛心，在禱告中擔負他人。
- 烏陵與土明：神的引導。
- 舊約的意義： 祭司來到神面前時，神藉這些物件向群體賜下指引 (28:30; 民數記 27:21)。希伯來文的含義並不確定，傳統上譯為「光明與完全」。
- 在基督裡的成全： 神的子民最終是由基督引導，祂是世界的光 (約翰福音 8:12)。
- 應用： 神今日仍然引導祂的子民。信徒藉著神的話語，就是我們腳前的燈 (詩篇 119:105)，也藉著引導我們進入真理的聖靈 (約翰福音 16:13)，尋求祂的指引。
- 鈴鐺與石榴：結果子的事奉。
- 舊約的意義： 經文只說亞倫進出聖所時必須聽見鈴聲，免得死亡。傳統上，鈴鐺象徵聽得見的積極事奉，石榴象徵生命的果子。
- 應用： 事奉既要有行動，也要有結果子的生命。只有聲響而沒有果子是空洞的，而果子來自常在基督裡 (約翰福音 15:5; 馬太福音 7:16–20; 加拉太書 5:22–23)。
- 金牌：聖潔遮蓋我們不完全的奉獻。
- 舊約的意義： 「歸耶和華為聖」戴在亞倫的額前，使他擔當聖物的罪孽。即使百姓最好的奉獻也有殘缺，需要大祭司的聖潔來遮蓋。
- 在基督裡的成全： 亞倫自己也是罪人，但基督是聖潔、無邪惡、無玷污的，不需要為自己的罪獻祭 (希伯來書 7:26–28)。祂在自己的身上擔當了我們的罪 (彼得前書 2:24)。
- 應用： 信徒的事奉與敬拜蒙悅納，不是因為完美，而是藉著耶穌基督獻上 (彼得前書 2:5; 希伯來書 13:15)。我們也蒙召成為聖潔 (彼得前書 1:15–16)。
- 貼身衣物：在神面前存敬畏。
- 舊約的意義： 祭司進入會幕或就近祭壇時，必須有所遮蓋。親近聖潔的神需要敬畏、端莊與順服，否則會招致審判 (28:42–43)。
- 應用： 信徒藉著基督可以坦然無懼地親近神 (希伯來書 10:19–22)，仍當存敬虔畏懼的心 (希伯來書 12:28–29)。被基督的義所遮蓋 (以賽亞書 61:10) ，才是我們真正的衣裳。
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