He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen turban shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
holy line coat.
Leviticus 6:10 And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
Exodus 28:2,39-43 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty…
Exodus 39:27-29 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, …
therefore
Leviticus 8:6,7 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water…
Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
Exodus 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
with linen undergarments
The linen undergarments were worn to cover the priest's nakedness, ensuring modesty and respect in the presence of God. This requirement reflects the broader biblical theme of covering sin and shame, reminiscent of God providing garments for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). The use of linen, a material associated with purity, further underscores the need for holiness.
He must tie a linen sash around him
The linen sash was part of the priestly attire, used to secure the tunic and undergarments. It signifies readiness and service, as girding oneself was often associated with preparation for work or action (Luke 12:35-37). The sash, like the other linen garments, symbolizes purity and dedication to God's service.
and put on the linen turban
The linen turban was worn on the head, signifying the priest's consecration and authority. It served as a reminder of the priest's role as an intermediary between God and the people. The turban's holiness is echoed in the inscription "Holy to the LORD" found on the high priest's regular headpiece (Exodus 28:36-38), pointing to the need for a pure mind and heart in service to God.
These are holy garments
The designation of these garments as holy underscores their set-apart nature for divine service. Holiness in the Bible often involves separation from the common for a sacred purpose. The garments' holiness reflects the sanctity required of those who approach God, a theme that runs throughout Scripture (1 Peter 1:15-16).
and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them
The requirement for the high priest to bathe before donning the holy garments emphasizes the need for cleansing and purification before approaching God. This ritual washing symbolizes spiritual purification and is a precursor to the New Testament concept of baptism, which signifies the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16). The act of washing also points to the ultimate cleansing provided by Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 10:22).
The high priest began the Day of Atonement by exchanging his richly colored, gem-studded vestments for an all-white linen tunic. The switch underscores purity and humility—stepping away from visible splendor so nothing distracts from God’s holiness (Exodus 28:39-43; Hebrews 7:26-27).
• Linen, a natural fiber, breathes and does not cling, picturing the freedom from sin the atonement would secure (Revelation 19:8).
• The single color—and the absence of gold—kept the focus on the LORD alone (Isaiah 42:8).
Wearing what God prescribes, not what man invents, shows obedience that honors His exact word.
God even specifies the hidden layer (Exodus 28:42), teaching that holiness reaches the private places.
• Modesty: the garments covered “from waist to thigh,” guarding against any flash of flesh before the holy Ark (Ezekiel 44:18).
• Integrity: what is unseen by people is still seen by God (Psalm 139:1-3).
• Continuity: believers today are called to the same inside-out purity—“Be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The sash gathered the tunic so the priest could serve unhindered (Exodus 39:29).
• Readiness: “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35).
• Truth: the soldier’s belt later pictures the believer’s firm hold on God’s Word (Ephesians 6:14).
• Devotion: wrapping the sash said, “All I am is bound to God’s purpose.”
The turban crowned the priest’s head, holding the gold plate engraved “Holy to the LORD” (Exodus 28:36-38).
• Authority received, not assumed—he stands under God’s name, not his own (John 17:6).
• Cleansed conscience—Zechariah 3:5 shows Joshua the high priest given a “clean turban,” foreshadowing Christ’s work to clear our guilt.
• Focused mind—everything begins with a mind set apart for God (Romans 12:2).
“Holy” means set apart, reserved for God’s service (Leviticus 8:7-9).
• Single-use for the Day of Atonement; afterward they were stored away (Leviticus 16:23).
• No one else could wear them—just as only Christ could be our sin-bearing High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
• They point to the righteousness we receive, not achieve (Philippians 3:9).
Before clothing came cleansing (Exodus 30:18-21).
• Outer washing pictured inner need—“let us draw near…having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us…and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).
• Complete coverage: the whole body bathed, not just the hands. Salvation is total, not partial (Titus 3:5).
• Ongoing pattern: while the once-for-all bath is done, daily confession keeps fellowship sweet (1 John 1:9).
Leviticus 16:4 shows a meticulous God preparing a mediator to enter His presence on Israel’s behalf. Every linen thread, every splash of water, whispers of the spotless, obedient, servant-hearted Messiah who would one day fulfill the ritual in reality. Outward garments and washings pointed to the inner righteousness and cleansing Christ now gives to all who trust Him—inviting us to wear the “fine linen, bright and pure,” of His salvation and to serve with the same humble devotion the high priest modeled on that solemn day.
(4) He shall put on the holy linen coat.--Better, a holy linen tunic. The four articles of clothing here mentioned, all of which were of white linen, constituted the sacerdotal "white vestments," in contra-distinction to "the golden garments." Of the white garments he possessed two sets, one of Egyptian linen, and the other of Indian and less costly linen. The community allowed the high priest thirty minae to purchase these garments, and he could add as much as he liked from his own money if he wished them to be more costly, provided the material was linen made of six double twisted threads and of flax. It was the more costly vestments of Egyptian linen which the high priest wore on this occasion. The latter he put on in the after part of the day when he entered the Holy of Holies to bring out the censer. These garments were the same as those of the ordinary priests, except the turban, which was a little taller.And he shall wash.--He had to bathe his body every time when he changed his vestments.
Verse 4. - His special garments for the occasion are the holy linen coat,... the linen breeches,... a linen girdle,... and the linen mitre. In the original the definite article is not expressed. The reading should therefore be, He shall put on a holy linen coat, and he shall have linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with a linen mitre shall be attired. The clothing was white from head to foot, differing therein from the dress of the ordinary priest, inasmuch as the sash or girdle of the latter was of variegated materials, and differing also in the shape of the mitre. The white clothing was not intended to symbolize humility and penitence, as some have thought, for white is not the colour in which penitents are naturally dressed. Rather it was symbolical of the purity and holiness which the ceremonies of the day symbolically affected, and which was specially needed to be exhibited in the person of the high priest. In the visions of Ezekiel and Daniel, the angel of God is clothed in linen (Ezekiel 9:2, 3, 11; Ezekiel 10:2, 6, 7; Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6, 7). And the colour of the angelic raiment is described in the Gospels as white: "his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow" (Matthew 28:3); "they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment" (Mark 16:5); "two men stood by them in shining garments" (Luke 24:4); she "seeth two angels in white sitting" (John 20:12). So, too, the wife of the Lamb, in the Book of the Revelation, has it "granted to her that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Revelation 19:7, 8). The white linen dress of the high priest, therefore (which must have given the appearance of the English surplice tied in at the waist), was intended to symbolize the purity and brightness which forms the characteristic of angels and saints, and, above all, of the King of saints. "The white material of the dress which Aaron wore when performing the highest act of expiation under the Old Testament was a symbolical shadowing forth of the holiness and glory of the one perfect Mediator between God and man, who, being the radiation of the glory of God and the image of his nature, effected by himself the perfect cleansing away of our sin, and who, as the true High Priest, being holy, innocent, unspotted, and separate from sinners, entered once by his own blood into the holy place not made with hands, namely, into heaven itself, to appear before the face of God for us and obtain everlasting redemption (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 9:12, 24)" (Keil). The symbolism of the holy garments as indicating holiness and purity, is strengthened by the command that Aaron is to wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. The high priest's acts on this day, so far as they are recounted in this chapter, were the following.1. He bathed.
2. He dressed himself in his white holy garments.
3. He offered or presented at the door of the tabernacle a bullock for a sin offering for himself and his house. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...