Exodus 39:1
And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַתְּכֵ֤לֶת
And of the blue
H8504
הַתְּכֵ֤לֶת
And of the blue
Strong's:
H8504
Word #:
2 of 21
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
וְתוֹלַ֣עַת
H8438
וְתוֹלַ֣עַת
Strong's:
H8438
Word #:
4 of 21
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
הַשָּׁנִ֔י
and scarlet
H8144
הַשָּׁנִ֔י
and scarlet
Strong's:
H8144
Word #:
5 of 21
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ
place and made
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ
place and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְשָׁרֵ֣ת
to do service
H8334
לְשָׁרֵ֣ת
to do service
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
9 of 21
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
in the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
in the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
10 of 21
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ
place and made
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ
place and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
in the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
in the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
14 of 21
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 31:10And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,Exodus 35:23And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.Exodus 35:19The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.Hebrews 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Hebrews 9:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;Psalms 93:5Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.Ezekiel 42:14When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.Ezekiel 43:12This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
Historical Context
Exodus 39 describes the completion of the tabernacle's construction (1445 BC), nine months after leaving Egypt. The skilled craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab led this work. Purple dye was extraordinarily expensive—worth more than gold—making these garments suitable for approaching the Holy God.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God care about the specific colors and materials used in worship? What does this reveal about His character?
- How does Christ's perfect priesthood fulfill the symbolism of Aaron's holy garments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Of the blue, and purple, and scarlet (תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי, tekhelet v'argaman v'tola'at hashani)—these three colors dominated the tabernacle's sacred textiles. Tekhelet (blue) came from rare Mediterranean mollusks; argaman (purple) from Phoenician murex snails; tola'at hashani (scarlet of the worm) from cochineal insects crushed for crimson dye.
Cloths of service (בִּגְדֵי־שְׂרָד, bigdei-serad) were specialized garments for sanctuary ministry. As the LORD commanded Moses appears repeatedly in Exodus 39-40, emphasizing Israel's exact obedience after the golden calf rebellion (ch. 32). The priestly garments foreshadow Christ our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), clothed in glory to minister before God.