King James Version

What Does Exodus 28:38 Mean?

Exodus 28:38 in the King James Version says “And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.”

Exodus 28:38 · KJV

Context

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.

38

And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

39

And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework .

40

And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

Read Exodus 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The plate is 'upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things.' Even Israel's holy offerings contain iniquity (sin-stained holiness)—our best works are tainted. The high priest bears this iniquity, making holy things acceptable. Christ alone bears the imperfection in our worship, transforming sin-stained service into acceptable offerings. Through Him, our 'spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God' (1 Peter 2:5). The plate 'continually upon his forehead' shows Christ's constant cleansing of our imperfect worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse reveals the profound truth that even consecrated offerings contain human imperfection. Only the high priest's bearing of this iniquity (through the holiness declaration) made Israel's worship acceptable—prefiguring how only Christ's perfect holiness covers our imperfect service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ 'bear the iniquity' of your imperfect worship, making it acceptable to God?
  2. What hope does this give you knowing even your best spiritual efforts need Christ's covering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְהָיָה֮1 of 24
H1961

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

עַל2 of 24
H5921

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

מִצְחוֹ֙3 of 24

“forehead”

H4696

the forehead (as open and prominent)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן4 of 24

“And it shall be upon Aaron's”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְנָשָׂ֨א5 of 24

“may bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן6 of 24

“And it shall be upon Aaron's”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת7 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲוֹ֣ן8 of 24

“the iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

קָדְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם9 of 24

“in all their holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲשֶׁ֤ר10 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַקְדִּ֙ישׁוּ֙11 of 24

“shall hallow”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

בְּנֵ֣י12 of 24

“which the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְכָֽל14 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַתְּנֹ֖ת15 of 24

“gifts”

H4979

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

קָדְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם16 of 24

“in all their holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְהָיָ֤ה17 of 24
H1961

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

עַל18 of 24
H5921

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

מִצְחוֹ֙19 of 24

“forehead”

H4696

the forehead (as open and prominent)

תָּמִ֔יד20 of 24

“and it shall be always”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

לְרָצ֥וֹן21 of 24

“that they may be accepted”

H7522

delight (especially as shown)

לָהֶ֖ם22 of 24
H0
לִפְנֵ֥י23 of 24

“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

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

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 28:38 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 28:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 2:24Numbers 18:1Leviticus 10:17John 1:29Hebrews 9:28Leviticus 22:9

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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