The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn.
Parallel translations
- KJV And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
- BSB with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment, with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.
- NKJV And there was an opening in the middle of the robe, like the opening in a coat of mail, with a woven binding all around the opening, so that it would not tear.
- NASB 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.
- NLT with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would 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 opening for the head, bound so it would not tear. It was made durable for repeated holy service.
Overview
The neck opening was carefully woven and bound to prevent tearing, ensuring the robe endured the priest's ministry. This attention to durability reflects the seriousness with which priestly service was to be conducted. A garment guarded against tearing quietly anticipates the unbroken, enduring priesthood ultimately fulfilled in Christ, whose ministry never fails.
Cross-references & the web
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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 39:23 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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