The Priestly Robe

The ephod and breastpiece of ancient Israel’s high priest were worn over the priest’s robe (Ex. 28:6–30). Today’s passage continues the instructions for the high priest’s clothing, giving the description of the priestly robe itself.

According to Exodus 28:31–32, the robe was made of solid blue; thus, it complemented but did not rival the beauty of the ephod, made in blue, scarlet, and purple (see Ex. 28:6). It is worth noting that the predominant colors of the high priest’s clothing were normally worn only by ancient royalty. Thus, the importance of the high priest was on par with that of Israel’s king. Israel was a kingdom, to be sure (see Ex. 19:6), but it was a kingdom of priests, with the high priest being the preeminent example of priestly royalty. The adorning of the priest with royal garb also hints at the eventual convergence of the offices of priest and king in Jesus our Lord (see Heb. 1:1–4).

Exodus 28:33–34 indicates that the hem of the robe was to be adorned with woven pomegranates and bells in an alternating pattern. The pomegranates were sewn using blue, scarlet, and purple thread and were probably added to the robe for several purposes. First, images of pomegranates were frequently used in the ancient Near East to provide decoration, so the embroidered pomegranates added some visual beauty to the priestly clothing. Pomegranates often served as symbols of abundance as well, so adding images of them to the priest’s robes probably have that connotation, too. To be in the Lord’s presence, as the high priest was, was to experience abundant blessing from God.

There is more debate concerning the purpose of the bells on the high priest’s robe. Some scholars have suggested that the bells allowed worshipers in the courtyard to ascertain where the priest was in the tabernacle after he entered, since they could not go into the tent (see Num. 18:21–22). The tinkling of the bells provided an auditory clue to the movements of the high priest. Others have said that the bells were a signal to God that the proper person had entered the sanctuary and that the regulations for worship—which said that the high priest and his priestly attendants alone could enter the tabernacle—were being properly followed. Of course, the Lord did not need bells to let Him know this fact, for He is omniscient. The bells likely were more for the people, a sign to them that God was being approached as He had ordained.