וְאַתָּ֡ה הַקְרֵ֣ב אֵלֶיךָ֩ אֶת־אַהֲרֹ֨ן אָחִ֜יךָ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֣יו אִתּ֔וֹ מִתּ֛וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִ֑י אַהֲרֹ֕ן נָדָ֧ב וַאֲבִיה֛וּא אֶלְעָזָ֥ר וְאִיתָמָ֖ר בְּנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן׃

And you, have Aaron your brother approach you, and his sons with him, separately, and designate them from among the children of Israel, to serve as priests to Me: Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, Elazar and Itamar, Aaron’s sons. The general designation of Aaron and his sons, followed by a specification of their names, indicates that each of Aaron’s sons was worthy of appointment, independent of his relation to Aaron.

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ בִגְדֵי־קֹ֖דֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֑יךָ לְכָב֖וֹד וּלְתִפְאָֽרֶת׃

Moses is tasked with expressing this appointment in deed: You shall make holy vestments for Aaron your brother, who is to be the High Priest. These vestments are service garments, which must be donned when performing the sacred service in the Tabernacle, and they are also intended for glory and for splendor, to publicize the importance of the priestly role.

וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּדַבֵּר֙ אֶל־כָּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִלֵּאתִ֖יו ר֣וּחַ חָכְמָ֑ה וְעָשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֧י אַהֲרֹ֛ן לְקַדְּשׁ֖וֹ לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִֽי׃

You shall speak to all the wisehearted, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom so that they may satisfy the unique requirements for manufacturing the priestly vestments; and they shall make Aaron’s vestments to sanctify him, in order for him to serve as a priest to Me. Donning these garments would itself sanctify Aaron as High Priest.

וְאֵ֨לֶּה הַבְּגָדִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשׂ֗וּ חֹ֤שֶׁן וְאֵפוֹד֙ וּמְעִ֔יל וּכְתֹ֥נֶת תַּשְׁבֵּ֖ץ מִצְנֶ֣פֶת וְאַבְנֵ֑ט וְעָשׂ֨וּ בִגְדֵי־קֹ֜דֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹ֥ן אָחִ֛יךָ וּלְבָנָ֖יו לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִֽי׃

These are the vestments that they shall make: a breast piece and an ephod, a short, apron-like cloak; and a robe and a quilted tunic; a mitre; and a special sash. And they shall make holy vestments for Aaron your brother and for his sons to serve as priests to Me.

וְהֵם֙ יִקְח֣וּ אֶת־הַזָּהָ֔ב וְאֶת־הַתְּכֵ֖לֶת וְאֶת־הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֑ן וְאֶת־תּוֹלַ֥עַת הַשָּׁנִ֖י וְאֶת־הַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃ (פ)

They, the craftsmen, shall take the gold and the sky-blue wool and the purple wool and the scarlet wool and the linen. The priestly vestments will be fashioned from these materials alone.

וְעָשׂ֖וּ אֶת־הָאֵפֹ֑ד זָ֠הָב תְּכֵ֨לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֜ן תּוֹלַ֧עַת שָׁנִ֛י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָ֖ר מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה חֹשֵֽׁב׃

They shall make the cloth of the ephod of the following materials: gold, sky-blue wool and purple wool, scarlet wool, all of them fine twined, and spun linen, artfully crafted. The priestly vestments must be produced by skilled artisans.

שְׁתֵּ֧י כְתֵפֹ֣ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת יִֽהְיֶה־לּ֛וֹ אֶל־שְׁנֵ֥י קְצוֹתָ֖יו וְחֻבָּֽר׃

The ephod shall consist of several parts sewn together: It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two ends, on the upper end of the apron, and it, the apron, will be attached. That is, the shoulder pieces will be attached to the apron after they have been fashioned.

וְחֵ֤שֶׁב אֲפֻדָּתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלָ֔יו כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ מִמֶּ֣נּוּ יִהְיֶ֑ה זָהָ֗ב תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָֽר׃

The belt of his ephod, which is on it, shall be of similar craftsmanship; it shall be from it: That is, the belt is to be woven as an inseparable part of the apron, and from the same materials: gold, sky-blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and linen, all spun together.

וְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔ אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֖י אַבְנֵי־שֹׁ֑הַם וּפִתַּחְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁמ֖וֹת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel, the names of the twelve tribes. The stones must be large enough for this engraving, an indication that they are not of the most valuable gems.

שִׁשָּׁה֙ מִשְּׁמֹתָ֔ם עַ֖ל הָאֶ֣בֶן הָאֶחָ֑ת וְאֶת־שְׁמ֞וֹת הַשִּׁשָּׁ֧ה הַנּוֹתָרִ֛ים עַל־הָאֶ֥בֶן הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית כְּתוֹלְדֹתָֽם׃

Six of their names shall be engraved on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the second stone, according to the order of their birth.

מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה חָרַשׁ֮ אֶבֶן֒ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חֹתָ֗ם תְּפַתַּח֙ אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֣י הָאֲבָנִ֔ים עַל־שְׁמֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מֻסַבֹּ֛ת מִשְׁבְּצ֥וֹת זָהָ֖ב תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם׃

The engraving shall be done with the craftsmanship of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, a delicate and exact procedure. It is unclear whether the names should be embossed, as on a signet, or if they are to be engraved on the stone. You shall engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel; you shall make them surrounded with settings of gold, which will secure them in place.

וְשַׂמְתָּ֞ אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֣י הָאֲבָנִ֗ים עַ֚ל כִּתְפֹ֣ת הָֽאֵפֹ֔ד אַבְנֵ֥י זִכָּרֹ֖ן לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְנָשָׂא֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן אֶת־שְׁמוֹתָ֜ם לִפְנֵ֧י יְהוָ֛ה עַל־שְׁתֵּ֥י כְתֵפָ֖יו לְזִכָּרֹֽן׃ (ס)

You shall place the two stones on the broad shoulder pieces of the ephod; they are stones of remembrance for the children of Israel; Aaron shall carry their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a remembrance.

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מִשְׁבְּצֹ֖ת זָהָֽב׃

The verse returns to elaborate on the production of the settings for the onyx stones. The process will have relevance for the breast piece as well: You shall make settings of gold. Perhaps this command includes the other settings of gold, which were placed on the breast piece.

וּשְׁתֵּ֤י שַׁרְשְׁרֹת֙ זָהָ֣ב טָה֔וֹר מִגְבָּלֹ֛ת תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת וְנָתַתָּ֛ה אֶת־שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥ת הָעֲבֹתֹ֖ת עַל־הַֽמִּשְׁבְּצֹֽת׃ (ס)

And two chains of pure gold: You shall make them at the edges of the settings; they shall be braided craftsmanship. After fashioning them, you shall set the braided chains in the settings.

וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ חֹ֤שֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה חֹשֵׁ֔ב כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה אֵפֹ֖ד תַּעֲשֶׂ֑נּוּ זָ֠הָב תְּכֵ֨לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֜ן וְתוֹלַ֧עַת שָׁנִ֛י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מָשְׁזָ֖ר תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתֽוֹ׃

You shall make an ornamental breast piece, which will be utilized in the administration of judgment; alternatively, the breast piece will symbolize your status as a judge. It shall be artfully crafted; you shall make it like the craftsmanship of the ephod, in a similar manner and from the same materials: gold, sky-blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and linen, all spun together you shall make it.

רָב֥וּעַ יִֽהְיֶ֖ה כָּפ֑וּל זֶ֥רֶת אָרְכּ֖וֹ וְזֶ֥רֶת רָחְבּֽוֹ׃

It shall be square in appearance, and yet it shall actually be made from a rectangular cloth that has been folded, doubled over. This will form a kind of pouch, in which the Urim and the Tumim are most likely meant to be placed (see verse 30). Its length shall be a span [ zeret ] after it is folded, and its width a span. A zeret is approximately half a cubit, slightly more than 20 cm. It is roughly the distance between the tip of one’s little finger [ zeret ] and the tip of one’s thumb when spreading out fingers to their greatest extent.

וּמִלֵּאתָ֥ בוֹ֙ מִלֻּ֣אַת אֶ֔בֶן אַרְבָּעָ֖ה טוּרִ֣ים אָ֑בֶן ט֗וּר אֹ֤דֶם פִּטְדָה֙ וּבָרֶ֔קֶת הַטּ֖וּר הָאֶחָֽד׃

You shall set in it, the breast piece, a mounting of stone, four rows of stone, each of which shall contain three different precious stones. The identity of these stones is difficult to determine with absolute certainty: A row of odem , which is commonly identified as a ruby, a peridot, and an emerald; this shall be the first row.

וְהַטּ֖וּר הַשֵּׁנִ֑י נֹ֥פֶךְ סַפִּ֖יר וְיָהֲלֹֽם׃

And the second row: a carbuncle, a sapphire [ sappir ] (see 24:10 above). The identity of the sappir stone is uncertain. And a clear quartz [ yahalom ] . Although in modern Hebrew, yahalom refers to a diamond, it is likely that yahalom once referred to a different precious stone.

וְהַטּ֖וּר הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י לֶ֥שֶׁם שְׁב֖וֹ וְאַחְלָֽמָה׃

And the third row: a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.

וְהַטּוּר֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה מְשֻׁבָּצִ֥ים זָהָ֛ב יִהְי֖וּ בְּמִלּוּאֹתָֽם׃

And the fourth row: a beryl, and an onyx, and a chalcedony; they shall be set in gold in their mountings. Due to the difficulty in cutting and smoothing these precious stones, the enclosures must be made to suit the shapes of the stones that will be set inside them, so that they will be held firmly.

וְ֠הָאֲבָנִים תִּֽהְיֶ֜יןָ עַל־שְׁמֹ֧ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה עַל־שְׁמֹתָ֑ם פִּתּוּחֵ֤י חוֹתָם֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־שְׁמ֔וֹ תִּֽהְיֶ֕יןָ לִשְׁנֵ֥י עָשָׂ֖ר שָֽׁבֶט׃

The stones shall correspond to the names of the children of Israel: Twelve, according to their names. On each stone the name of one tribe will be engraved. And they shall be engraved like the engravings of a signet, each according to its name, for the twelve tribes.

וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ עַל־הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת זָהָ֖ב טָהֽוֹר׃

The verse reiterates, this time in the context of the breast piece, an earlier command with regard to the chains (see verse 14 above). You shall fix bordering chains of braided craftsmanship on the breast piece of pure gold. These will be placed on the edges of the breast piece.

וְעָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ עַל־הַחֹ֔שֶׁן שְׁתֵּ֖י טַבְּע֣וֹת זָהָ֑ב וְנָתַתָּ֗ אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ הַטַּבָּע֔וֹת עַל־שְׁנֵ֖י קְצ֥וֹת הַחֹֽשֶׁן׃

You shall fix two rings of gold upon the upper part of the breast piece, and you shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breast piece, on the right and left.

וְנָתַתָּ֗ה אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ עֲבֹתֹ֣ת הַזָּהָ֔ב עַל־שְׁתֵּ֖י הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת אֶל־קְצ֖וֹת הַחֹֽשֶׁן׃

You shall put the two braids of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breast piece.

וְאֵ֨ת שְׁתֵּ֤י קְצוֹת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י הָעֲבֹתֹ֔ת תִּתֵּ֖ן עַל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַֽמִּשְׁבְּצ֑וֹת וְנָתַתָּ֛ה עַל־כִּתְפ֥וֹת הָאֵפֹ֖ד אֶל־מ֥וּל פָּנָֽיו׃

The other two ends of the two braids you shall put on the two settings mentioned above with regard to the ephod, and you shall place them, the settings, on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, toward its front, in the area of the neck. In this manner the breast piece shall hang over the chest.

וְעָשִׂ֗יתָ שְׁתֵּי֙ טַבְּע֣וֹת זָהָ֔ב וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ אֹתָ֔ם עַל־שְׁנֵ֖י קְצ֣וֹת הַחֹ֑שֶׁן עַל־שְׂפָת֕וֹ אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֶל־עֵ֥בֶר הָאֵפֹ֖ד בָּֽיְתָה׃

You shall make two additional rings of gold and you shall place them on the two ends of the breast piece, on its edge, that is toward the ephod on the inner side of the folded breast piece, which faces the ephod.

וְעָשִׂיתָ֮ שְׁתֵּ֣י טַבְּע֣וֹת זָהָב֒ וְנָתַתָּ֣ה אֹתָ֡ם עַל־שְׁתֵּי֩ כִתְפ֨וֹת הָאֵפ֤וֹד מִלְּמַ֙טָּה֙ מִמּ֣וּל פָּנָ֔יו לְעֻמַּ֖ת מֶחְבַּרְתּ֑וֹ מִמַּ֕עַל לְחֵ֖שֶׁב הָאֵפֽוֹד׃

You shall make two additional rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, specifically from below those shoulder pieces, toward its front, on the backside of the ephod, adjacent to its seam, that is, the area where the shoulder pieces are sewn to the ephod, above the belt of the ephod.

וְיִרְכְּס֣וּ אֶת־הַ֠חֹשֶׁן מטבעתו [מִֽטַּבְּעֹתָ֞יו] אֶל־טַבְּעֹ֤ת הָאֵפֹד֙ בִּפְתִ֣יל תְּכֵ֔לֶת לִֽהְי֖וֹת עַל־חֵ֣שֶׁב הָאֵפ֑וֹד וְלֹֽא־יִזַּ֣ח הַחֹ֔שֶׁן מֵעַ֖ל הָאֵפֽוֹד׃

They shall lace the breast piece from its rings, namely those on the bottom of the breast piece, to the rings attached to the bottoms of the shoulder pieces of the ephod, with a thread of sky-blue wool, to be on the belt of the ephod, and the breast piece shall not be detached from upon the ephod. That is to say, there is a specific requirement that the breast piece will be attached to the ephod at all times.

וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹן אֶת־שְׁמ֨וֹת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל בְּחֹ֧שֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּ֛ט עַל־לִבּ֖וֹ בְּבֹא֣וֹ אֶל־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְזִכָּרֹ֥ן לִפְנֵֽי־יְהוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃

Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel on the breast piece of judgment upon his heart upon his entry into the Sanctuary, as a constant remembrance before the Lord. The stones of the breast piece are not mere ornaments meant for beauty; rather, they serve as a remembrance of Israel before God, just like the stones of the ephod.

וְנָתַתָּ֞ אֶל־חֹ֣שֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט אֶת־הָאוּרִים֙ וְאֶת־הַתֻּמִּ֔ים וְהָיוּ֙ עַל־לֵ֣ב אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּבֹא֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹן אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֨ט בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל עַל־לִבּ֛וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃ (ס)

You shall place the Urim and the Tumim in the pouch between the folds of the breast piece of judgment. The nature of the Urim and the Tumim is shrouded in mystery and is not explained in the Bible. The Sages explain that they were sacred names that, when placed inside the fold, would cause the stones of the breast piece to shine in response to questions posed about the future. According to Ibn Ezra (verse 6 above), the Urim and the Tumim are instruments for making astrological measurements. Others suggest that they contained a list of the borders and cities of each tribe. And they shall be upon Aaron’s heart upon his entry before the Lord; and Aaron shall constantly bear the judgment, meaning the ways and practices, of the children of Israel on his heart, inside the breast piece, before the Lord.

וְעָשִׂ֛יתָ אֶת־מְעִ֥יל הָאֵפ֖וֹד כְּלִ֥יל תְּכֵֽלֶת׃

You shall make the robe of the ephod entirely of sky - blue wool. The ephod would be placed above the robe and would fasten it in place. The High Priest’s robe was somewhat similar to the modern robe. However, since the verse makes no mention of sleeves, it would seem that this robe resembled a cloak that covered the back and sides of one’s body. In front, the robe was open from the neck downward; the ephod and its belt held its front parts together so that they would not spread too far apart.

וְהָיָ֥ה פִֽי־רֹאשׁ֖וֹ בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ שָׂפָ֡ה יִֽהְיֶה֩ לְפִ֨יו סָבִ֜יב מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה אֹרֵ֗ג כְּפִ֥י תַחְרָ֛א יִֽהְיֶה־לּ֖וֹ לֹ֥א יִקָּרֵֽעַ׃

The opening for his, the High Priest’s, head shall be within it, in its center. There shall be a hem , the craftsmanship of a weaver, around its opening, like the opening of a coat of mail it shall be for it, folded slightly inward so that it should not harm the wearer or obstruct him. This will ensure that it, the robe, shall not be rent . Alternatively, this is an instruction, that it is prohibited to tear the robe.

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ עַל־שׁוּלָ֗יו רִמֹּנֵי֙ תְּכֵ֤לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י עַל־שׁוּלָ֖יו סָבִ֑יב וּפַעֲמֹנֵ֥י זָהָ֛ב בְּתוֹכָ֖ם סָבִֽיב׃

You shall fix on its hem ornaments in the shape of pomegranates of sky-blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and they shall be placed all around its hem; there shall be bells of gold among them all around.

פַּעֲמֹ֤ן זָהָב֙ וְרִמּ֔וֹן פַּֽעֲמֹ֥ן זָהָ֖ב וְרִמּ֑וֹן עַל־שׁוּלֵ֥י הַמְּעִ֖יל סָבִֽיב׃

They shall be placed as follows: a golden bell and then a pomegranate, a golden bell and then a pomegranate , on the hem of the robe all around. Alternatively, a golden bell was placed inside each pomegranate. According to tradition, there were seventy-two pomegranates on the High Priest’s robe.

וְהָיָ֥ה עַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לְשָׁרֵ֑ת וְנִשְׁמַ֣ע ק֠וֹלוֹ בְּבֹא֨וֹ אֶל־הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ לִפְנֵ֧י יְהוָ֛ה וּבְצֵאת֖וֹ וְלֹ֥א יָמֽוּת׃ (ס)

It, the robe, shall be on Aaron when he comes to serve, and its sound shall be heard upon his entry into the Sanctuary before the Lord and upon his emergence, and he will not die. Although gold is a relatively soft metal, such that the sound produced by a golden bell would be quite gentle, the large quantity of bells on the High Priest’s robe ensured that a sound would be heard as he walked.

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ צִּ֖יץ זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ עָלָיו֙ פִּתּוּחֵ֣י חֹתָ֔ם קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָֽה׃

You shall make a diadem of pure gold, which will be positioned at the front of his head. This diadem is also called “the holy crown,” and the Sages refer to it as the crown of the priesthood. And you shall engrave upon it the engravings of a signet, in decorative and elegant writing, the phrase Holy to the Lord.

וְשַׂמְתָּ֤ אֹתוֹ֙ עַל־פְּתִ֣יל תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְהָיָ֖ה עַל־הַמִּצְנָ֑פֶת אֶל־מ֥וּל פְּנֵֽי־הַמִּצְנֶ֖פֶת יִהְיֶֽה׃

You shall place on it a thread of sky blue, in order to tie the diadem, which did not extend around the whole head. And it shall be upon the mitre, adjacent to the mitre on the High Priest’s forehead. According to Rashi, threads were inserted into holes situated at the edges of the diadem and in the center of the diadem on top; the threads were wrapped around the head of the High Priest and over the mitre, and all of the threads were tied together in the back. It, the diadem, shall be toward the forefront of the mitre.

וְהָיָה֮ עַל־מֵ֣צַח אַהֲרֹן֒ וְנָשָׂ֨א אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־עֲוֺ֣ן הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַקְדִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְכָֽל־מַתְּנֹ֖ת קָדְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם וְהָיָ֤ה עַל־מִצְחוֹ֙ תָּמִ֔יד לְרָצ֥וֹן לָהֶ֖ם לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

It shall be on Aaron’s forehead and Aaron shall bear, atone for by means of the diadem, the iniquity of the sacraments that the children of Israel shall consecrate, for all their sacraments. This refers to ritually impure sacred gifts that were brought into the Sanctuary; the diadem and the words engraved upon it shall serve as an atonement for this transgression. It shall be on his forehead always, for propitiation for them, the Israelites, before the Lord.

וְשִׁבַּצְתָּ֙ הַכְּתֹ֣נֶת שֵׁ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִצְנֶ֣פֶת שֵׁ֑שׁ וְאַבְנֵ֥ט תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה רֹקֵֽם׃

The Torah turns to the less complex of the High Priest’s vestments, which are similar to those worn by the other priests: You shall quilt the linen tunic. The tunic, which is worn against the body, is woven with quilted patterns. And you shall make a mitre of linen, a long piece of linen cloth to be wrapped around the head. And you shall make a sash, the craftsmanship of an embroiderer, which will be tied around the tunic. The Sages teach that the sash was 32 cubits long, or 15–19 m. The materials from which the sash shall be made are discussed below (39:29).

וְלִבְנֵ֤י אַהֲרֹן֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה כֻתֳּנֹ֔ת וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לָהֶ֖ם אַבְנֵטִ֑ים וּמִגְבָּעוֹת֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם לְכָב֖וֹד וּלְתִפְאָֽרֶת׃

The sacred vestments of Aaron’s sons were fewer and simpler than those worn by Aaron and the High Priests who followed him: You shall make tunics for the sons of Aaron and you shall make for them sashes, and tall, brimless headdresses you shall make for them, for glory and for splendor. These special uniforms will distinguish them from the rest of the people.

וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֤ אֹתָם֙ אֶת־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֔יךָ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖יו אִתּ֑וֹ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֨ אֹתָ֜ם וּמִלֵּאתָ֧ אֶת־יָדָ֛ם וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם וְכִהֲנ֥וּ לִֽי׃

You shall dress them with these garments, Aaron your brother and his sons with him; you shall anoint them with the anointing oil (see 29:21) and you shall invest them, and you shall sanctify them, and they shall be fit to serve as priests for Me.

וַעֲשֵׂ֤ה לָהֶם֙ מִכְנְסֵי־בָ֔ד לְכַסּ֖וֹת בְּשַׂ֣ר עֶרְוָ֑ה מִמָּתְנַ֥יִם וְעַד־יְרֵכַ֖יִם יִהְיֽוּ׃

Make them linen trousers, which will serve as an undergarment to cover the flesh of their nakedness. These trousers are not listed together with the other garments listed in verse 40 since they are not visible, and their purpose is entirely practical, neither for splendor nor for beauty. Indeed, when the Torah describes the donning of the priestly vestments below, the trousers are not mentioned. They shall be worn from waist to thighs, until the knee, or perhaps to some other point along the thigh.

וְהָיוּ֩ עַל־אַהֲרֹ֨ן וְעַל־בָּנָ֜יו בְּבֹאָ֣ם ׀ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד א֣וֹ בְגִשְׁתָּ֤ם אֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לְשָׁרֵ֣ת בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ וְלֹא־יִשְׂא֥וּ עָוֺ֖ן וָמֵ֑תוּ חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֛ם ל֖וֹ וּלְזַרְע֥וֹ אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (ס)

They, the trousers, or all the priestly vestments, shall be on Aaron and on his sons, upon their entry into the Tent of Meeting, or upon their approach to the altar to serve in sanctity, that they will not bear iniquity and die. It, the donning of the garments, is an eternal statute for him and for his descendants after him. It is prohibited for a priest who is not wearing these garments to serve in the Sanctuary.