The Garments That the Priest Must Wear
In 1 Peter 2, God tells us that, through Jesus Christ, we are to become a holy priesthood, a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:5; 1 Pet 2:9). However, in the Old Testament, a person could not serve as a priest unless they wear the garments designated for the priesthood. So today, we will examine what garments the priest must wear and what they mean for us.
- Linen Breeches (Hebrew: ‘miknas’) (Exo 28:42)
These linen breeches were like modern-day underwear-garments worn closest to the skin. Exodus 28:42 clearly states that the purpose of these garments was to cover their nakedness. Then, what does it mean, biblically, to “uncover one’s nakedness” or to “expose the lower body”? (Eze 23:17-18)
First, uncovering the lower body represent sexual immorality. Therefore, the first requirement for anyone serving as God’s priest is to distance themselves from all forms of sexual sin. Wearing the linen breeches symbolizes cutting off all immoral behaviours.
God is clearly saying: if you want to serve as His priest, you must first break free from all sexual immorality. Dear believers, may you put on spiritual linen breeches today and be forever separated from all immorality, in the name of the Lord I pray, Amen.
Second, uncovering the lower body represents betraying God (Eze 23:4; Eze 23:11). In Ezekiel 23, Oholah represents Samaria (the Northen Kingdom), and Oholibah represents Jerusalem (the Southern Kingdom). Oholah turned away from God and began to rely on Assyria. Oholibah later became even more corrupted, turning to both Assyria and Babylon and bringing their idols into the land.
God uses the imagery of exposing one’s nakedness to describe how His people abandoned Him and committed idolatry. You may wonder: how could someone be a priest of God and yet worship idols? Wouldn’t idol worship disqualify someone from the priesthood in the first place?
Even while doing God’s work, if our hearts are filled with greed, that is equivalent to idol worship (Col 3:5). Think about it- why did Adam and Eve fall? Because of the serpent. But what did the serpent say? (Gen 3:4-6)
The serpent planted in Eve the desire to “be like God.” That greed made the fruit appear good, delightful, and desirable. Is that not what greed and covetousness look like? So even God’s priests can fall into temptation and have greed. That is why God commands them to wear the linen breeches-to guard against such desires.
Brothers and sisters, may we all wear the spiritual linen breeches, turning away from greed and covetousness, and be free from the idolatry that corrupts our hearts. May this blessing be upon you in the name of the Lord. Amen.
- Tunic (Hebrew: ‘Ketonet’) (Exo 28:39)
The Hebrew word ‘ketonet’ means “to cover”. True to its meaning, ‘ketonet’ was a garment that covers the body from the shoulders down to the heels. In Scripture, this terms refers not only to the priestly garment but also to this style of full-body clothing in general.
First, ‘ketonet’ symbolizes God’s love (Gen 37:3). The “coat of many colors” that Jabob made for Joseph-his most beloved son-was a ‘ketonet’. Therefore, ‘ketonet’ becomes a symbol of God’s special love for His chosen ones.
As priests of God, we must wear the ‘ketonet’. To wear the ‘ketonet’ is to declare that we are loved by God (Jhn 3:16).
Secondly, ‘ketonet’ represents God’s covering (Gen 3:21). The “garments of skin” that God made for Adam were ‘ketonet’. The reason God gave these garments was because Adam’s own attempt to cover his shame-by sewing together fig leaves-was insufficient (Gen 3:7).
The Hebrew word used here for “loin coverings” is ‘hagor’, which means a belt or a girdle. So what Adam made was not even a real skirt or garment: it could not cover his shame at all. Seeing this, God made garments of skin- a true ‘ketonet’-and clothe them, covering their shame. This is the robe washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all sin and fully cover us.
To serve as God’s priest, we must wear the ‘ketonet’ of Jesus’ blood. In Exo 28:43, God warns that even priests, if they enter God’s presence without wearing the priestly garments-including the ‘ketonet’-they will bear guilt and die (Exo 28:43).
We must understand that by our own strength, we cannot cover even the smallest sin. That’s why we must remain in the blood of Jesus Christ-not a dried-up memory of His blood from long ago, but the living, speaking blood of Christ that continues to work today. May we all hold tightly to the living Word of Christ’s blood, be saturated in it, and become the high priests who fulfil God’s will completely.
- Sash (Hebrew: Avnet) (Lev 8:7)
The Bible does not give specific details about the length or method of wearing the sash. However, according to Antiquities of the Jews by the Jewish historian Josephus, the sash was wrapped once around the chest and allowed to hang down to the ankles.
What does the sash signify?
First, girding with a sash means sobriety and self-control (1 Pet 1:13). Second, girding up one’s loin signifies readiness to work (2 Kings 9:1).
Just like preparing to go into battle, wearing the sash means being ready to carry out the work of God. It means being focused on His calling. As those who called to serve, we must wear the sash and be ready to work for God. In Eph 6:11-13, when God commands us to put on the full armor, the first thing we are to put on is the belt of truth.
- Cap (Hebrew: Miga ‘ah) (Exo 39:28; Exo 28:40)
This headgear-the cap-was meant to make the priest appear glorious and beautiful. But the head also represents our thoughts and ideologies. This teaches us that our minds must be transformed to align with the mind of Jesus Christ (Rev 9:4; Rev 14:1).
Conclusion: The Main Material of the Priestly Garments is Fine Linen (Exo 28:39-40)
In Rev 19:8, fine linen is explained as the righteous acts of the saints. They are the garments washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14). The role of priest is possible only when clothed in the robe sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. It is only possible when Christ is with us.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 