What does Exodus 28:2 Mean?

Study Notes

holy garments
Heb. qodesh= "set apart" for God. Trans. "holy," Exodus 28:2 ; "consecrate," Exodus 28:3 . Often trans. "sanctify." See summary, . This is always the fundamental idea of a holy, consecrated, separated, or sanctified person or thing--something set apart for God. Infinite confusion would have been spared the reader if qodesh had been uniformly trans. "set apart."

holy mountain

Holiness, Sanctification, Summary: In the O.T. the words consecration, dedication, sanctification, and holiness are various renderings of one Hebrew word, are used of persons and of things, and have an identical meaning, i.e. set apart for God. Only when used of God himself (e.g. Leviticus 11:45 ), or of the holy angels (e.g. Daniel 4:13 ) is any inward; Leviticus 11:45 ; Daniel 4:13 moral quality necessarily implied. Doubtless a priest or other person set apart to the service of God, whose whole will and desire went with his setting apart, experienced progressively an inner detachment from evil; but that aspect is distinctively of the N.T., not of the O.T. Matthew 4:5 .

Context Summary

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