King James Version

What Does Exodus 28:35 Mean?

Exodus 28:35 in the King James Version says “And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LOR...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.”

Exodus 28:35 · KJV

Context

33

And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet , round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: hem: or, skirts

34

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

35

And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

36

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37

And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

Read Exodus 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The purpose: Aaron must wear it 'when he ministereth,' and 'his sound shall be heard when he goeth in...and when he cometh out...that he die not.' The bells announce the priest's movements—entering God's presence and returning. The sound assures both God and Israel that the priest lives and ministers successfully. Christ's priestly work is both audible (announced, proclaimed) and effective (He lives and intercedes). The bells prevent death by ensuring proper approach—we hear Christ's ongoing intercession (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The bells' ringing served practical and theological purposes: practically, they announced the high priest's location and activity within the tabernacle; theologically, they demonstrated that he remained alive in God's presence—a sound of ongoing successful mediation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'hearing' Christ's ongoing intercession give you confidence in prayer?
  2. What does the connection between sound and life teach about assurance of accepted mediation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהָיָ֥ה1 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עַֽל2 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַהֲרֹ֖ן3 of 14

“And it shall be upon Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

לְשָׁרֵ֑ת4 of 14

“to minister”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

וְנִשְׁמַ֣ע5 of 14

“shall be heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

ק֠וֹלוֹ6 of 14

“and his sound”

H6963

a voice or sound

בְּבֹא֨וֹ7 of 14

“when he goeth”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל8 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקֹּ֜דֶשׁ9 of 14

“in unto the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לִפְנֵ֧י10 of 14

“place before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּבְצֵאת֖וֹ12 of 14

“and when he cometh”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְלֹ֥א13 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָמֽוּת׃14 of 14

“out that he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 28:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 28:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 9:12Leviticus 16:2

Places in This Verse

Holy Place 1Special Place24 verses across 4 books
View all places in Exodus 28 →

Test Your Knowledge

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