Exodus 28:43

Translations

Modern

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.

Traditional

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Literal

And they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the Holy Place, and they shall not bear iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever for him and for his seed after him.

Latin

…et utentur eis Aaron et filii ejus quando ingredientur tabernaculum testimonii, vel quando appropinquant ad altare ut ministrent in sanctuario, ne iniquitatis rei moriantur. Legitimum sempiternum erit Aaron, et semini ejus post eum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.

Notes

Exodus 28:42–43

In many pagan religions, sexual acts were part of worship. People believed they could control fertility (the ability to have children, crops, and animals) through sexual activity.

In some places, priests even served their gods without clothing. These practices were attempts to influence the powers of nature.

In the worship of the Lord, no form of sexual manipulation was allowed. God’s blessings cannot be gained through magical actions or human control.

For this reason, even the accidental exposure of the genitals was carefully avoided. Worship of the Lord had to reflect his holiness and purity.

Exodus 28:1–43

These holy garments for Aaron were to distinguish him as a priest set apart (Hebrew qadash, “consecrated”) for the Lord's service (28:2, 3). The beauty of these garments matched the beauty of the Tent of Meeting, which was God's portable earthly palace (or tabernacle).

One day, Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, would enter the Most Holy Place once for all. Then the difference between priests and people would disappear (Hebrews 10:11–22). Until then, human mediators represented how Christ would fulfill the types of wonderful things God accomplishes for his people.

Theme notes and profiles

Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth

Events

Tabernacle Builtc. 1490 BC

Related verses

Exodus 27:21
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.
Exodus 20:26
And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’
Leviticus 5:17
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
Leviticus 17:7
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’
Numbers 18:22
No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.
Leviticus 5:1
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.
Leviticus 22:9
The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Matthew 22:12–13
‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.
Leviticus 20:19–20
You must not have sexual relations with the sister of your mother or your father, for it is exposing one’s own kin; both shall bear their iniquity.
Numbers 9:13
But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.

Parallels

Exodus 39:22–31

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel

Places

Holy Place: The inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and Temple

Glossary

Aaron Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Aaron: Descendants of, Ordained Priests Forever Nadab: Son of Aaron: Set Apart to Priesthood Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Vestments of Priest: The Time of Moses: Hereditary, Descent of office Priest: The Time of Moses: Vestments of Priests: Garments of Worn Always While Engaged in the Service of the Tabernacle

Exodus 28:43

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