Exodus 28:36-43 HOLY TO THE LORD

"Make a plate of pure gold

and engrave on it as on a seal:

HOLY TO THE LORD.

Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban;

it is to be on the front of the turban.

It will be on Aaron's forehead,

and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate,

whatever their gifts may be.

It will be on Aaron's forehead continually

so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.

Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen.

The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer.

Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons,

to give them dignity and honor.

After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons,

anoint and ordain them.

consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.

Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body,

reaching from the waist to the thigh.

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting

or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,

so that they will not incur guilt and die.

This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants."

Exodus 28:36-43 (NIV)

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The theme of holiness and being set apart unto the LORD continues in these verses, which speak of the turban, tunics, sashes, headbands and undergarments which Aaron and his sons will wear in their service as priests of the LORD.

The plate of pure gold attached to the turban, with its engraved message of 'HOLY TO THE LORD' set the tone of these verses.  Aaron, as high priest, would bear the guilt for any sin/shortcoming involved in the offering of sacred gifts by the Israelites.  Remember that on the Day of Atonement, the high priest (as representative for the Israelites) would make an offering for the sins of the nation.  I suppose that any guilt occurring from offering sacred gifts in a less than acceptable way would be covered by this arrangement until the next day of Atonement.  Thus the pure gold plate would be "...upon Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD."

As usual in the previous priestly garments, the tunic and turban (and most likely, the headbands and sashes) would be woven of fine linen.  The sashes would be the work of an embroiderer.

Tunics, sashes and headbands would be made for Aaron's sons to give them dignity and honor.  As previously mentioned, this was not so that they would be proud of their position, but so that they would be recognized by the people as being set apart for the work of service to the LORD.

Linen undergarments would be worn by Aaron and his sons to prevent indecent exposure (and thus guilt) as they ministered in the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar to minister in the Holy Place.  [Exodus 20:26 "And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it."]  At times Aaron and his descendants would minister on altars with steps (Leviticus 9:22, Ezekiel 43:17), yet these linen undergarments would prevent such problems of exposure.

These instructions were to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.