Exodus 28:43
And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיוּ֩
H1961
וְהָיוּ֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּנָ֜יו
and upon his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֜יו
and upon his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּבֹאָ֣ם׀
when they come
H935
בְּבֹאָ֣ם׀
when they come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֹ֣הֶל
in unto the tabernacle
H168
אֹ֣הֶל
in unto the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
8 of 24
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֗ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֗ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
10 of 24
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְגִשְׁתָּ֤ם
or when they come near
H5066
בְגִשְׁתָּ֤ם
or when they come near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
11 of 24
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
לְשָׁרֵ֣ת
to minister
H8334
לְשָׁרֵ֣ת
to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
14 of 24
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
in the holy
H6944
בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
in the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
15 of 24
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׂא֥וּ
place that they bear
H5375
יִשְׂא֥וּ
place that they bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
17 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וָמֵ֑תוּ
and die
H4191
וָמֵ֑תוּ
and die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
19 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עוֹלָ֛ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֛ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
Exodus 27:21In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.Exodus 20:26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.Leviticus 5:17And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.Leviticus 5:1And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.Leviticus 22:9They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.Leviticus 17:7And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.Numbers 18:22Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
Historical Context
This sobering statement established that priestly service required complete obedience to God's clothing commands. Nadab and Abihu's later death (Leviticus 10) demonstrated that approaching God casually or improperly resulted in judgment. The garments protected as much as they beautified.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse's seriousness about proper clothing illustrate the absolute necessity of Christ's righteousness?
- What does 'a statute for ever' teach about the permanent need for righteous covering before God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The garments must be worn whenever priests minister in the tabernacle or approach the altar, 'that they bear not iniquity, and die.' Proper clothing isn't optional but essential for survival in God's presence. Nakedness or improper dress results in death—sin cannot stand before holiness. This underscores Christ's righteousness as non-negotiable for approaching God. We must be clothed in Him or perish. The garments are 'a statute for ever'—the need for righteous covering is permanent, fulfilled eternally in Christ (Isaiah 61:10).