The final chapters of the Book of Exodus represent the magnificent culmination of a divine blueprint. After the dire interruption of the Golden Cidol, Exodus 39 showcases a community redeemed, unified in purpose, and executing a sacred commission with breathtaking precision and skill. This chapter is not merely a list of items; it is a testament to obedience, artistry, and the profound symbolism woven into the very fabric of worship. It details the meticulous creation of the holy garments for Aaron the High Priest and his sons, garments designed for “dignity and honor” (Exodus 28:2) as they ministered before the Lord.
The Execution of a Divine Command: Bezalel, Oholiab, and the Willing Hearted
The work recorded in Exodus 39 did not happen in a vacuum. It was the product of Spirit-filled artisans and a willing community.
The Master Craftsmen: God specifically called Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and Oholiab of the tribe of Dan, filling them “with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts” (Exodus 35:31-33). Their leadership was instrumental in transforming the detailed instructions of Exodus 28 into tangible reality.
The People’s Contribution: The project was funded and fueled by the generosity of the Israelites. The text repeatedly mentions that the materials came from the freewill offerings brought by every person whose heart was moved. This was a national project, a collective act of worship where every contributor had a stake in the Tabernacle’s completion.
A Detailed Examination of the High Priest’s Holy Vestments
The garments of the High Priest were complex, each element heavy with theological significance and messianic implication.
The Ephod: A Garment of Intercession and Representation
The ephod was an elaborate, apron-like vestment made of finely twisted linen and skillfully embroidered with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It was the foundational garment upon which other elements rested.
The Onyx Stones: Two onyx stones were mounted on the shoulder pieces of the ephod. Each stone was engraved with the names of six tribes of Israel, representing that the High Priest bore the people “before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial” (Exodus 39:7). This symbolized the High Priest carrying the burden and representation of the entire nation into God’s presence.
The Breastpiece of Judgment: Divine Guidance and Memorial
The breastpiece, often called the breastpiece of judgment, was a square pouch attached to the ephod. It was crafted from the same materials and contained twelve precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
The Urim and Thummim: Placed inside the breastpiece were the Urim and Thummim. Their exact nature is unknown, but they were clearly instruments God used to reveal His will and judgment to Israel (e.g., Numbers 27:21). The High Priest was the mediator of divine guidance for the nation.
A Constant Reminder: Aaron was to bear the names of the sons of Israel “over his heart before the Lord continually” (Exodus 39:29). The heart represents care and affection, signifying that the High Priest was to carry the people not just as a burden of duty, but with a heart of love and intercession.
The Robe of the Ephod, Bells, and Pomegranates
Worn under the ephod was a solid blue robe. Its hem was adorned with alternating golden bells and pomegranates made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
- The Bells: The sound of the bells ensured that as the High Priest moved about in the Holy Place, he would be heard, and “so he will not die” (Exodus 28:35). The jingling bells were a sound of life, affirming that the mediator was still alive and ministering effectively on behalf of the people.
- The Pomegranates: A symbol of fertility, abundance, and the law (due to its many seeds), the pomegranates represented the fruitfulness God desired for His obedient people.
The Turban, Plate, and Other Priestly Garments
The Turban and Sacred Diadem: The High Priest’s head was crowned with a fine linen turban. On it, attached with a blue cord, was a plate of pure gold engraved with the words: “HOLY TO THE LORD.”
This inscription was profoundly significant. It represented that the High Priest himself was sanctified for his office. More importantly, it symbolized that he could bear the “guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate” (Exodus 28:38). Through his mediation, the imperfections of the people’s offerings were made acceptable to a holy God.
The Tunic, Sash, and Headbands: The High Priest and his sons also wore simpler, fine linen tunics, sashes, and headbands. These garments, while less ornate, were still “for glory and for beauty” and were made by the skilled craftsmen as God had commanded.
The Culmination: Inspection and Approval
A critical and often overlooked part of Exodus 39 is the final inspection.
“Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:43)
This verse is the ultimate climax of the Tabernacle’s construction. Moses, acting as God’s representative, examines every detail. The work passes inspection not based on aesthetic appeal but on one criterion alone: obedience to the divine pattern. The blessing of Moses that follows is the divine seal of approval on their faithful work.
The Theological Significance and Christological Fulfillment
The garments of the High Priest are a rich typology that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
- The Representative: Just as the High Priest bore the names of the tribes on his shoulders and heart, Jesus, our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), bears his people before the Father. He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and represents us perfectly.
- The Bearer of Guilt: The gold plate on the turban acknowledged the High Priest’s role in bearing the people’s guilt. Jesus did this not symbolically, but actually, by bearing our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
- The Mediator of Guidance: The Urim and Thummim provided God’s guidance for the nation. Jesus is the ultimate Word of God (John 1:1), the light of the world (John 8:12), and the one through whom we now receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- The Source of Life: The bells on the robe signaled the High Priest was alive. Jesus Christ, after offering himself as a sacrifice, did not remain dead. He rose again, and the sound of his eternal life is our assurance of salvation. He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
- The Perfect Obedience: The Tabernacle was built exactly “as the LORD had commanded.” Jesus Christ is the perfect fulfillment of the law, stating “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). His perfect obedience clothes believers and makes us acceptable to God.
Conclusion: More Than Ancient History
Exodus 39 is far more than a historical record of ancient tailoring. It is a masterclass in devoted obedience, a showcase of God-given creativity used for His glory, and a deep, symbolic portrait of the ministry of Jesus Christ. The chapter teaches that God cares deeply about the details of worship, that He provides the means for approaching Him, and that He designed a system that pointed toward the ultimate solution: a perfect High Priest who would offer a perfect sacrifice once and for all, clothing his people in His own righteousness.