06/28/2026
I am sure many have heard the statement ‘priests playing dress-up’.
Here is food for thought. God literally 'ordered' that special clothing be made for priests. God, being the Father of Jesus and the fact that Christianity had its roots in Judaism, logic dictated that God’s command would still be in effect in Christian times. No place in the bible did Jesus change this ruling.
Exodus 28:2 – You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
Note: †28:2 - 'holy garments' obviously are special, and are not to appear as regular cloths. This may be the one biblical reference that supports God’s intent to create 'special clothing' for all priests. That concept then may flow directly into Christianity. The garments are to elevate the importance of the office of priest, but also show a high level of dignity and honor, especially before God.
Exodus 28:3 – You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
Note: †28:3 - 'wise-hearted' here is derived from י ֵמכְ ַח (wise). In this case, it is closer in meaning to 'skill'. This describes the workers who are to create the garments for Aaron.
Exodus 28:4 – These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
**** And finally, the most important verse:
Exodus 28:36 – “You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD.’”
Note: †28:36 – The engraving was a perpetual reminder of the holiness that was due the Lord (Heb “Yahweh”), that all the CLOTHING, the furnishings, and the ACTIVITIES were to come under that description. Hence, the clothing, along with the pomp and circumstance, is ‘required’.
What could be the Christian Equivalents? (rough equivalents, some extrapolation must be used)
Breastplate could be the Gothic or Roman Chasuble
Ephod could be equated to a Rochet
Robe might be equated to an Alb
Tunic could easily be a Cassock
A Turban might be equated to any Christian headgear (Zucchetto)
Sash may be equated to a black sash for a priest and a Roman purple one for bishops