Exodus 28:32
And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
H6310
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
2 of 16
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ
in the top
H7218
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ
in the top
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ
of it in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ
of it in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
4 of 16
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
שָׂפָ֡ה
thereof it shall have a binding
H8193
שָׂפָ֡ה
thereof it shall have a binding
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
5 of 16
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
יִֽהְיֶה֩
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
H6310
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
7 of 16
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
סָבִ֜יב
round about
H5439
סָבִ֜יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
8 of 16
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה
work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה
work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
9 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
H6310
כְּפִ֥י
And there shall be an hole
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
11 of 16
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
The woven binding (שָׂפָה, saphah, lip/edge) around the opening created a finished, reinforced edge that prevented tearing during the putting on and taking off of the garment, as well as during active service.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the reinforced opening represent Christ's righteousness that cannot tear or fail?
- What does the comparison to armor teach about the durability of Christ's priestly work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
An opening for the head with a woven binding 'as it were the hole of an habergeon' (coat of mail), ensuring it won't tear. The reinforced opening shows that even the point of entry/exit receives special attention—no weak points in God's provision. The comparison to armor suggests strength, protection, durability. Christ's priestly garments (righteousness, salvation) are battle-tested and tear-proof—they cannot fail under pressure or be destroyed by opposition (Isaiah 59:17).