The Meaning of Exodus 28:1 Explained

Exodus 28:1

KJV: 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.

YLT: And thou, bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from the midst of the sons of Israel, for his being priest to Me, even Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, sons of Aaron;

Darby: And thou shalt take thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may serve me as priest Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

ASV: And bring thou near 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Exodus 28:1 Mean?

Study Notes

Aaron
Type of Christ, our High Priest. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, but He executes his priestly office after the pattern of Aaron. Hebrews 7. gives the order; Hebrews 9, the pattern.
.
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Genesis 14:18-23 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Psalms 9:2-5 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( Psalms 91:9-12 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
1 Melchizedek, type of Christ the King-Priest. The type strictly applies to the priestly work of Christ in resurrection, since Melchizedek presents only the memorials of sacrifice, bread and wine. "After the order of Melchizedek" ( Hebrews 6:20 ) refers to the royal authority and unending duration of Christ's high priesthood ( Hebrews 7:23 ); ( Hebrews 7:24 ). The Aaronic priesthood was often interrupted by death. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, as King of righteousness, King of peace; ( Isaiah 11:4-9 ); ( Hebrews 7:2 ) and in the endlessness of his priesthood; but the Aaronic priesthood typifies His priestly work.
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Genesis 14:18-23 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Psalms 9:2-5 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( Psalms 91:9-12 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).

Context Summary

Exodus 28:1-14 - The Beaten Oil The Ephod
Always in Scripture oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. It is His grace communicated to the wick of our character and life, which makes them capable of giving a bright light for God. This oil was pure, because none shine brightly for God who are not pure in heart and poor in spirit. It was beaten, because our best work is often the result of our sorrows. McCheyne used to say, "Beaten oil for the sanctuary," referring to the care with which ministers and teachers should prepare for their work. Get your oil direct! See Zechariah 4:2-3.
It is befitting that we should consider the priestly garments. We minister within the curtained court; order the lamp of testimony till daybreak, and stand before the altar of incense-it is meet that we should be arrayed in the beauty of holiness. Our Lord bears our names, graven indelibly and eternally, and we are accepted in the Beloved. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 28

1  Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
2  Holy garments are appointed
6  The ephod and girdle
15  The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
30  The Urim and Thummim
31  The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
36  The plate of the mitre
39  The embroidered coat
40  The garments for Aaron's sons

What do the individual words in Exodus 28:1 mean?

And you take unto you - Aaron your brother and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel that he may minister as priest to Me Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar sons [and] Aaron
וְאַתָּ֡ה הַקְרֵ֣ב אֵלֶיךָ֩ אֶת־ אַהֲרֹ֨ן אָחִ֜יךָ וְאֶת־ בָּנָ֣יו אִתּ֔וֹ מִתּ֛וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְכַהֲנוֹ־ לִ֑י אַהֲרֹ֕ן נָדָ֧ב וַאֲבִיה֛וּא אֶלְעָזָ֥ר וְאִיתָמָ֖ר בְּנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן

וְאַתָּ֡ה  And  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
הַקְרֵ֣ב  take 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: קָרַב  
Sense: to come near, approach, enter into, draw near.
אֵלֶיךָ֩  unto  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אַהֲרֹ֨ן  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.
אָחִ֜יךָ  your  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
בָּנָ֣יו  his  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אִתּ֔וֹ  with  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
מִתּ֛וֹךְ  from  among 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: תָּוֶךְ  
Sense: midst, middle.
בְּנֵ֥י  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
לְכַהֲנוֹ־  that  he  may  minister  as  priest 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּהַן  
Sense: to act as a priest, minister in a priest’s office.
לִ֑י  to  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
אַהֲרֹ֕ן  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.
נָדָ֧ב  Nadab 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: נָדָב  
Sense: eldest son of Aaron by Elisheba; struck dead before the sanctuary in the wilderness for kindling the censers with strange fire.
וַאֲבִיה֛וּא  and  Abihu 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִיהוּא  
Sense: a son of Aaron destroyed for sacrificing strange fire to God.
אֶלְעָזָ֥ר  Eleazar 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֶלְעָזָר  
Sense: Additional Information: Eleazar = “God has helped”.
וְאִיתָמָ֖ר  and  Ithamar 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִיתָמָר  
Sense: fourth and youngest son of Aaron.
בְּנֵ֥י  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אַהֲרֹֽן  [and]  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.