Priests: Garments of Laid up in Holy Chambers
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical tradition, the garments of the priests hold significant importance, symbolizing purity, holiness, and the distinct role of the priesthood in the service of God. These garments were not merely functional but were imbued with spiritual and symbolic meaning, as outlined in the Old Testament.

Biblical Description and Significance

The priestly garments are detailed extensively in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses regarding their design and purpose. The high priest's attire included the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each crafted with specific materials and colors (Exodus 28:4-39). These garments were to be worn during sacred duties, signifying the priest's consecration and the sanctity of their service.

The garments were made from fine linen and adorned with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, symbolizing wealth, royalty, and divinity. The ephod, for instance, was a vest-like garment with shoulder pieces bearing onyx stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, signifying the high priest's role as a representative before God (Exodus 28:9-12).

Storage in Holy Chambers

The storage of these sacred garments was as important as their use. According to the biblical narrative, the garments were to be kept in holy chambers when not in use. This practice underscored the sanctity of the garments and the need to protect them from defilement. The chambers served as a dedicated space within the temple complex, ensuring that the garments remained pure and ready for use in the service of the Lord.

Ezekiel 42:14 provides insight into this practice: "When the priests enter, they shall not go out from the holy place into the outer court without leaving behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They shall put on other garments before they approach the area accessible to the people." This passage highlights the separation between the sacred and the common, a theme prevalent throughout the priestly regulations.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The laying up of priestly garments in holy chambers reflects the broader theological theme of holiness and separation unto God. The garments, like the priests themselves, were set apart for divine service. This separation was not only physical but also spiritual, emphasizing the need for purity and dedication in approaching God.

The practice also points to the continuity of worship and the enduring nature of the priestly office. By storing the garments in a sacred space, the Israelites acknowledged the ongoing need for mediation between God and His people, a role fulfilled by the priests.

In the New Testament, the concept of priestly garments finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who embodies the holiness and purity symbolized by these garments. Hebrews 4:14-15 speaks of Jesus as the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, emphasizing His role as the mediator of a new covenant.

Conclusion

The garments of the priests, laid up in holy chambers, serve as a powerful reminder of the sacredness of the priestly office and the importance of holiness in worship. Through these garments, the biblical narrative communicates profound truths about the nature of God, the role of the priesthood, and the call to holiness for all who serve Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ezekiel 44:19
And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ...
... of money, and an immense number of garments, and other ... feast which we call Pentecost,
as the priests were going ... was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet ...
/.../chapter 5 the great distress.htm

Chambers of Imagery
... a censer in his hand"self-consecrated priests of self ... bears marked upon it that it
was laid in order ... hearts, like the sunbeam upon foul garments, will cleanse ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/chambers of imagery.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... supposed that incalculable treasures were laid up in the ... old and young, insurgents
and priests, those who ... warrior, with confused noise, and garments rolled in ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... they supposed that incalculable treasures were laid up in the ... old and young, insurgents
and priests, those who ... with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... those entire courts that were exposed to the air were laid with stones ... but he that
officiated had on his sacred garments; but then those priests that were ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

Holy violence
... fall upon the sacrifice, or else, like Baal's priests, we may ... the door upon the armed
men, who laid upon him ... went in, and was clothed with such garments as they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/holy violence.htm

Christ.
... believe me, "behold the place where they laid him." This ... part of the work of the
high-priests under the ... Forasmuch as the holy garments were provided for him to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... which it was not lawful for any but the priests to eat ... from the seed of Judah till
the things laid up for him ... We see Him washing His garments in wine; for He is ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... and two months' (Revelation 11:2). 'The holy city shall ... by whose hands the city was
broken up, the walls ... the virgins ravished, and the children laid dead in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... beset by robbers who stripped him of his garments and his ... was that of a helper to
the priests, a man ... to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Resources
What were the chief priests? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between priests and Levites? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible teach the celibacy of priests? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Priests

Priests and Levites

Priests were Sometimes: Corrupters of the Law

Priests were Sometimes: Drunken

Priests were Sometimes: Greedy

Priests were Sometimes: Profane and Wicked

Priests were Sometimes: Slow to Sanctify, Themselves for God's Services

Priests were Sometimes: Unjust

Priests were to Live by the Altar As They had No Inheritance

Priests: After the Exodus Young Men (First-Born) Deputed to Act As

Priests: All Except Seed of Aaron Excluded from Being

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Anointing With Oil

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Clothing With the Holy Garments

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Lasted Seven Days

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Offering Sacrifices

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Partaking of the Sacrifices of Consecration

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Placing in Their Hands the Wave-Offering

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Purification by Blood of the Consecration Ram

Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Washing in Water

Priests: Christ

Priests: Divided by David Into Twenty-Four Courses

Priests: During Patriarchal Age Heads of Families Acted As

Priests: Each Course of, had Its President or Chief

Priests: First Notice of Persons Acting As

Priests: Garments of Laid up in Holy Chambers

Priests: Garments of Often Provided by the People

Priests: Garments of Purified by Sprinkling of Blood

Priests: Garments of The Bonnet

Priests: Garments of The Coat or Tunic

Priests: Garments of The Girdle

Priests: Garments of The Linen Breeches

Priests: Garments of Worn Always While Engaged in the Service of the Tabernacle

Priests: Garments of Worn at Consecration

Priests: Garments of Worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement

Priests: Generally Participated in Punishment of the People

Priests: Made of the Lowest of the People by Jeroboam and Others

Priests: Might Purchase and Hold Other Lands in Possession

Priests: No Blemished or Defective Persons Could be Consecrated

Priests: On Special Occasions Persons not of Aaron's Family Acted As

Priests: Publicly Consecrated

Priests: Punishment for Invading the office of

Priests: Required to Prove Their Genealogy Before They Exercised The

Priests: Required to Remain in the Tabernacle Seven Days After

Priests: Required to Wash in the Brazen Laver Before They Performed

Priests: Revenues of a Fixed Portion of the Spoil Taken in War

Priests: Revenues of all Devoted Things

Priests: Revenues of all Restitutions when the Owner Could not be Found

Priests: Revenues of First of the Wool of Sheep

Priests: Revenues of First-Born of Animals or Their Substitutes

Priests: Revenues of First-Fruits

Priests: Revenues of Part of all Sacrifices

Priests: Revenues of Redemption-Money of the First-Born

Priests: Revenues of Show-Bread After Its Removal

Priests: Revenues of Tenth of the Tithes Paid to the Levites

Priests: Saints

Priests: Sanctified by God for the office

Priests: Services of Blessing the People

Priests: Services of Blowing the Trumpets on Various Occasions

Priests: Services of Burning Incense

Priests: Services of Carrying the Ark

Priests: Services of Covering the Sacred Things of the Sanctuary Before Removal

Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Jealousy

Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Leprosy

Priests: Services of Encouraging the People when They Went to War

Priests: Services of Judging in Cases of Controversy

Priests: Services of Keeping the Charge of the Tabernacle

Priests: Services of Keeping the Sacred Fire Always Burning on the Altar

Priests: Services of Lighting and Trimming the Lamps of the Sanctuary

Priests: Services of Offering First Fruits

Priests: Services of Offering Sacrifices

Priests: Services of Placing and Removing Show-Bread

Priests: Services of Purifying the Unclean

Priests: Services of Teaching the Law

Priests: Services of Valuing Things Devoted

Priests: Services of, Divided by Lot

Priests: Services of, Ineffectual for Removing Sin

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: All Bought and Home-Born Servants to Eat of Their Portion

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Children of, Married to Strangers, not to Eat of Their

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: No Sojourner or Hired Servant to Eat of Their Portion

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Defile Themselves by Eating What Died or Was Torn

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Defile Themselves for the Dead Except the Nearest of

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Drink Wine While Attending in the Tabernacle

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Marry Divorced or Improper Persons

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Restitution to be Made To, by Persons Ignorantly Eating of

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: While Unclean Could not Eat of the Holy Things

Priests: Special Laws Respecting: While Unclean Could not Perform Any Service

Priests: The Four Courses Which Returned from Babylon Subdivided Into

Priests: The Sons of Aaron Appointed As, by Perpetual Statute

Priests: Thirteen of the Levitical Cities Given To, for Residence

Proxy in Priest's Service

Related Terms

Office (64 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Abihu (12 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Woven (40 Occurrences)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Outsider (9 Occurrences)

Ith'amar (20 Occurrences)

Remainder (33 Occurrences)

Executed (39 Occurrences)

Plaited (12 Occurrences)

Beryls (4 Occurrences)

Cloths (16 Occurrences)

Abi'hu (12 Occurrences)

Sacred (140 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Finely (27 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Cutting (178 Occurrences)

Ithamar (20 Occurrences)

Blow (124 Occurrences)

Nadab (21 Occurrences)

Worked (145 Occurrences)

Garments (232 Occurrences)

Eleazar (74 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)

Belongs (127 Occurrences)

Zadok (50 Occurrences)

Unauthorized (4 Occurrences)

Jewels (54 Occurrences)

Layman (9 Occurrences)

Fleshhook (2 Occurrences)

Broidered (9 Occurrences)

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

Admit (8 Occurrences)

Ablution

Afar (98 Occurrences)

Smote (281 Occurrences)

Sacrificing (39 Occurrences)

Seething (5 Occurrences)

Colour (22 Occurrences)

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Remnant (157 Occurrences)

Wrought (186 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Cooked (35 Occurrences)

Stead (117 Occurrences)

Girdle (44 Occurrences)

Ministering (63 Occurrences)

Ministered (53 Occurrences)

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)

Punishments (31 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Twisted (79 Occurrences)

Consecrated (101 Occurrences)

Common (118 Occurrences)

Urim (8 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Presented (114 Occurrences)

Thummim (6 Occurrences)

Hook (10 Occurrences)

Prime (3 Occurrences)

Clothes (208 Occurrences)

Bringing (288 Occurrences)

Vail (44 Occurrences)

Till (774 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Custom (51 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Cut (616 Occurrences)

Heave (25 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Belong (127 Occurrences)

Priests: First Notice of Persons Acting As
Top of Page
Top of Page