Topical Bible: Priests: Garments of Often Provided by the People

◄ Priests: Garments of Often Provided by the People ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical tradition, the garments worn by priests held significant religious and symbolic importance. These garments were not merely functional but were imbued with spiritual meaning, representing purity, holiness, and the distinct role of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people. The provision of these garments often involved the contributions of the community, reflecting the collective responsibility and reverence for the sacred duties performed by the priests.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for the priestly garments are primarily found in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses regarding the attire of Aaron and his sons, who were to serve as priests. Exodus 28:2-3 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s garments for his consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest."

These garments included the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each with specific materials and designs as outlined in Exodus 28 and 39. The ephod, for instance, was made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, signifying the divine authority and the beauty of holiness.

Community Involvement

The making of the priestly garments was a communal effort. The Israelites were called to contribute materials for the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments. Exodus 35:21 describes this collective endeavor: "And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments."

This act of giving was not merely a logistical necessity but a spiritual act of worship and dedication. The people’s offerings of gold, silver, precious stones, and fine fabrics were expressions of their devotion and acknowledgment of the priestly role in maintaining the covenant relationship with God.

Symbolism and Significance

The garments served as a constant reminder of the sanctity required of those who ministered before the Lord. The intricate designs and precious materials symbolized the beauty and holiness of God’s presence. The breastpiece, with its twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel, signified the priest’s role in bearing the people before God in intercession.

Moreover, the garments were a visual representation of the priest’s consecration and the divine authority bestowed upon them. Leviticus 8:7-9 details the consecration of Aaron: "He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him in the robe, and put the ephod on him. He fastened the ephod with its woven waistband, tying it around him. Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece."

Continued Tradition

The tradition of providing garments for religious leaders has continued in various forms throughout history, reflecting the enduring recognition of the sacred nature of their office. In the biblical context, the community’s role in providing these garments underscored the shared responsibility in upholding the covenant and the worship of God.

The garments of the priests, therefore, were not only a matter of personal attire but a profound expression of the community’s faith and commitment to the divine order established by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 2:68,69
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 7:70,72
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Waldenses.
... Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to ... Often an interest to read God's
word was thus awakened ... With naked feet and in garments coarse and travel ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

The Waldenses
... Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to ... Often an interest to read God's
word was thus awakened ... With naked feet and in garments coarse and travel ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... Water is scarce in Jerusalem, and one often sees great ... dressed in the second set
of ceremonial garments with the ... and partook of a meal there with the priests. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... people, both in the Bible and in Josephus; and is often taken notice ... could not be
otherwise provided for in the loose garments which the priests wore, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Following the Cloud.
... Often when they wanted water for their little ones and their cattle, and could not
find it ... There were beautiful garments, also, for the priests, Aaron and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Intercession of Christ
... these things were thus ordained, the priests went always ... to ask, and we are too often
cold, negligent ... before the Lord, clothed in filthy garments, and Satan ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm

Calvary
... the cross had been quarreling over Christ's garments, and casting ... But the priests
mocked at His agony. ... lacerated with stripes; those hands so often reached out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 78 calvary.htm

The Ancient Form of Government Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of ...
... object that their venerable hierarchy has often been extolled ... as to suffice for the
gluttony of priests. ... statues, buying plate, and providing costly garments. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the ancient form.htm

Cambyses.
... that of his beloved daughter, clothed in the garments of a ... of wealth and high station;
he had often been at ... from the country at large, by the priests, by means ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... Though these stars have been often looked upon, it is ... if our sins were like filthy
garments"the vestures ... taken from us by the daily ministering of priests. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm