The Cross and its Shadow

Chapter 12-Garments of the Priests

The garments worn by the ordinary priests were of white linen, a fit emblem of the Spotless One of whom their ministry was a type. The outer robe was white, woven in one piece, and extended nearly to the feet. It was confined at the waist with a white linen girdle, embroidered in blue, purple, and scarlet. A white linen miter, or turban, covered the head. These articles, with the linen breeches which were worn by all officiating priests, completed the costume of the common priest. These garments of white linen were made “for glory and for beauty.” ¹ CIS 86.1

Only the family of Aaron could wear the rich garments of the priest; but there are robes of “fine linen, clean and white,“ in store for every overcomer. ² Even in this life, Christ clothes His faithful ones with “the garments of salvation” and “the robe of righteousness.” ³ CIS 86.2

The pure white garments were worn by the high priest on ordinary occasions, but when he entered the most holy place to make atonement for the people, he was clad in gorgeous robes, which fitly represented our High Priest as He confesses the names of His people before the judgment-seat of the judge of the whole earth. CIS 87.1

The high priest always wore the long white linen robe of the common priest, but over this was a robe of blue woven in one piece, and beautifully ornamented around the skirt with golden bells and pomegranates of blue, purple, and gold. The ephod, a sleeveless garment of white linen, beautifully embroidered in gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, was worn over the blue robe. This was shorter than the other garments, and was confined at the waist by a richly embroidered girdle of the same color. CIS 87.2

On the gold embroidered shoulders of the ephod were two onyx stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, six names on each shoulder, thus typifying the Mighty One who bears the perplexities and burdens of His people upon His shoulders. ⁴ CIS 87.3

While the robe of blue with its golden bells and the handsomely embroidered ephod were beautiful, yet the crowning feature in all the gorgeous dress of the high priest was the breastplate worn over his heart as he officiated in the holy of holies before the Lord. The breastplate was of the same material as the ephod. It was in the form of a square and measured a span. In it were set in gold twelve precious stones, arranged three in a row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Around these was a border of a variety of stones. The stones in the breastplate were the same as those that form the foundation of the New Jerusalem. ⁵ The breastplate hung from the shoulders of the ephod and was fastened at the waist by a blue cord through gold rings. CIS 87.4

Set in the breastplate, one on either side, were two brilliant stones, called the Urim and Thummim. By means of these stones the mind of the Lord could be ascertained by the high priest. When questions were asked, if light encircled the precious stone at the right, the answer was in the affirmative; but if a shadow rested on the stone at the left, the answer was negative. CIS 88.1

The breastplate being attached to the ephod, David, in calling for the priest to bring the ephod when he was undecided as to what course to pursue, was really asking for the breastplate, by which he might know the mind of the Lord. ⁶ CIS 88.2

There was one other article belonging to the high priest’s garments,-the miter, or bonnet. ⁷ A gold plate bearing the inscription, “Holiness to Jehovah,” was fastened by a blue lace to the front of the white bonnet, or turban, worn by the priests. CIS 88.3

No priest was allowed to wear the priestly garments except when officiating in the sanctuary or court. ⁸ CIS 89.1

There is a touching significance in the high priest’s wearing the names of all Israel on his shoulders and over his heart as he performed the work which typified the judgment, when the case of every one will come up in review before God. The breastplate was called “the breastplate of judgment.” ⁹ Those names engraved on the stones were a type of the names of the overcomers, which Christ will confess before His father and the angels. Stone is an enduring substance, but far more enduring is the book of life, where the names which Christ has confessed, are written to remain forever. ¹⁰ CIS 89.2

Type	Antitype
Exodus 28:32. Garment all of one piece.	John 19:23. Christ’s earthly garment was woven in one piece.
Exodus 28:15-21. The breastplate of judgment contained the names of the twelve tribes, and was worn over the heart of the high priest as he performed the work which typified the work of the judgment.	Revelation 3:5. As each individual name comes up in review before God in the judgment, Christ will “confess” the names of the overcomers, and their names will remain in the book of life.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 CIS 90.1