There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn.
Parallel translations
- WEB It shall have a hole for the head in the middle of it. It shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn.
- KJV 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.
- BSB with an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening shall be a woven collar with an opening like that of a garment, so that it will not tear.
- NKJV There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear.
- NLT with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. Reinforce the opening with a woven collar so it will not tear.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The robe had a reinforced woven opening for the head so it would not tear. Its durability protected the integrity of the holy garment.
Overview
The bound collar kept the sacred robe from ripping during the priest's service, preserving its wholeness. An unbroken garment befitted the dignity of priestly ministry. It is striking that, by contrast, Christ's seamless garment was not torn at his crucifixion (John 19:23-24), as he fulfilled the true priesthood.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Eph 4:3–16being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- Exod 39:28and the turban of fine linen, and the linen headbands of fine linen, and the linen breeches of fine twined linen,
- Neh 4:16From that time forth, half of my servants did the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
- John 19:23–24Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
- 2 Chr 26:14Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging.
- Job 41:26If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 28:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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