King James Version

What Does Exodus 28:41 Mean?

Exodus 28:41 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and s...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. consecrate: Heb. fill their hand”

Exodus 28:41 · KJV

Context

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.

41

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. consecrate: Heb. fill their hand

42

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness ; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: their: Heb. flesh of their nakedness reach: Heb. be

43

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Read Exodus 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The garments are put 'upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him,' then anointed, consecrated, and sanctified 'that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.' The sequence: clothing first (righteousness), then anointing (Spirit), then consecration (setting apart), then sanctification (making holy). This order reflects salvation: first clothed in Christ's righteousness, then anointed by the Spirit, then set apart for God's purposes, then progressively sanctified. All leading to one goal—ministry to God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The three-stage process (anoint, consecrate, sanctify) emphasized that priestly service required comprehensive preparation. Simply wearing garments wasn't sufficient—priests needed Spirit-empowerment, official separation, and moral holiness for acceptable service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the sequence (clothing→anointing→consecration→sanctification) reflect stages in Christian life?
  2. What does 'that they may minister unto me' teach about the purpose of all spiritual preparation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֤1 of 17

“And thou shalt put”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֹתָם֙2 of 17
H853

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

אֶת3 of 17
H853

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

אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן4 of 17

“them upon Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אָחִ֔יךָ5 of 17

“thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאֶת6 of 17
H853

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

בָּנָ֖יו7 of 17

“and his sons”

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

אִתּ֑וֹ8 of 17
H853

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

וּמָֽשַׁחְתָּ֙9 of 17

“with him and shalt anoint”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

אֹתָ֜ם10 of 17
H853

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

וּמִלֵּאתָ֧11 of 17

“them and consecrate”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת12 of 17
H853

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

יָדָ֛ם13 of 17
H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥14 of 17

“them and sanctify”

H6942

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

אֹתָ֖ם15 of 17
H853

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

וְכִֽהֲנ֥וּ16 of 17

“them that they may minister unto me in the priest's office”

H3547

to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia

לִֽי׃17 of 17
H0

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 28:41 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 28:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 29:7Leviticus 8:1-36Leviticus 10:7Exodus 40:15Exodus 29:9Hebrews 7:28

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