The High Priest’s robe is constructed. It was made of blue material and decorated with pomegranates and gold bells. The design of the robe was given in Exodus 28:31 – 34.
Starting in verse 22, the making of the robe of the ephod was described. The robe was an outer garment that the high priest would wear over the ephod. The robe was large enough to cover all of his body so that there would be no nakedness exposed.
It was made of woven work and the material was all of blue. The opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail. This likely means the robe was a pullover garment, like a coat of mail would be. The opening was made with a binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn. The hem of the neck opening would be reinforced to strengthen it and prevent it from tearing.
The robe was decorated with pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem. The significance of the pomegranates is unclear. It might represent the idea that the LORD is the source and provider of abundance and good things for His people (Deuteronomy 8:7 – 9, Numbers 13:23). These woven pomegranates might have hung from the hem along with the bells. These bells were made of pure gold, and were placed between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe. The bells (being of pure gold representing purity and value) might have symbolized the “ringing” (or proclamation) of the LORD’s holiness (Zechariah 14:20). On the robe, the pattern was alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service.
All of this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Biblical Text
22 Then he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue; 23 and the opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn. 24 They made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe. 25 They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe, 26 alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
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