31 'And thou hast made the upper robe of the ephod completely of blue, 32 and the opening for its head hath been in its midst, a border is to its opening round about, work of a weaver, as the opening of a habergeon there is to it; it is not rent. 33 'And thou hast made on its hem pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, on its hem round about, and bells of gold in their midst round about; 34 a bell of gold and a pomegranate, a bell of gold and a pomegranate 'are' on the hems of the upper robe round about. 35 'And it hath been on Aaron to minister in, and its sound hath been heard in his coming in unto the sanctuary before Jehovah, and in his going out, and he doth not die. 36 'And thou hast made a flower of pure gold, and hast opened on it—openings of a signet—'Holy to Jehovah;' 37 and thou hast put it on a blue ribbon, and it hath been on the mitre—over-against the front of the mitre it is; 38 and it hath been on the forehead of Aaron, and Aaron hath borne the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel do hallow, even all their holy gifts; and it hath been on his forehead continually for a pleasing thing for them before Jehovah. 39 'And thou hast embroidered the coat of linen, and hast made a mitre of linen, and a girdle thou dost make—work of an embroiderer.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 28:31-39
Commentary on Exodus 28:31-39
(Read Exodus 28:31-39)
The robe of the ephod was under the ephod, and reached down to the knees, without sleeves. Aaron must minister in the garments appointed. We must serve the Lord with holy fear, as those who know they deserve to die. A golden plate was fixed on Aaron's forehead, engraven with "Holiness to the Lord." Aaron was hereby reminded that God is holy, and that his priests must be holy, devoted to the Lord. This must appear in their forehead, in open profession of their relation to God. It must be engraven like the engravings of a signet; deep and durable; not painted so as to be washed off, but firm and lasting; such must our holiness to the Lord be. Christ is our High Priest; through him sins are forgiven to us, and not laid to our charge. Our persons, our doings, are pleasing to God upon the account of Christ, and not otherwise.