Exodus 28:35 - It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die.
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What does "Exodus 28:35" mean?
This verse from Exodus 28:35 refers to the bells attached to the hem of the priestly garments worn by Aaron, the high priest. Let's break down its meaning:
"It shall be on Aaron to minister...": This establishes that the garment with the bells is specifically for Aaron's use as he performs his duties as the high priest.
"...and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh...": This signifies that the sound of the bells would be audible as Aaron entered the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was kept) to minister before God.
"...and when he comes out, that he not die.": This is the crucial and potentially confusing part. It suggests a link between the sound of the bells and Aaron's survival.
Possible Interpretations:
There are several interpretations of why the bells were associated with preventing Aaron's death:
1. Attestation of Proper Procedure: The bells may have served as a signal to those outside the Holy Place that Aaron was alive and performing the sacred rituals correctly. If the bells stopped ringing, it could indicate a problem or a transgression that resulted in God's displeasure. This interpretation suggests that the sound ensured those outside knew the ritual was being performed correctly and that Aaron had not been struck dead for any impropriety.
2. Spiritual Protection/Awe: Some scholars believe the sound of the bells played a role in creating an atmosphere of reverence and warding off evil spirits. The audible presence of Aaron before the Lord was necessary. It might have acted as a form of spiritual protection for Aaron as he entered a highly sacred space.
3. Reminder of Presence: The bells could have been a constant reminder to Aaron of the holiness of God and the reverence he needed to maintain while in God's presence. The constant sound would keep him focused and less likely to make a fatal mistake.
4. Symbolic Cleansing: Some scholars see the bells as having a symbolic cleansing effect. The sound would announce Aaron's entry and exit, and this announcement could have been seen as a way to purify the holy place before and after his presence.
In Summary:
The verse emphasizes the importance of the bells on Aaron's priestly garment. Their sound served a dual purpose: to indicate Aaron's presence and activity within the Holy Place and, more significantly, to ensure his safety while ministering in the presence of God. While the exact reason behind the association of the bells with preventing death is debated, it underscores the immense sanctity of the Holy Place and the potential consequences of approaching God without proper reverence and adherence to divine instructions.
Exodus 28:35 - It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die.
What does "Exodus 28:35" mean?
This verse from Exodus 28:35 refers to the bells attached to the hem of the priestly garments worn by Aaron, the high priest. Let's break down its meaning:
"It shall be on Aaron to minister...": This establishes that the garment with the bells is specifically for Aaron's use as he performs his duties as the high priest.
"...and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh...": This signifies that the sound of the bells would be audible as Aaron entered the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was kept) to minister before God.
"...and when he comes out, that he not die.": This is the crucial and potentially confusing part. It suggests a link between the sound of the bells and Aaron's survival.
Possible Interpretations:
There are several interpretations of why the bells were associated with preventing Aaron's death:
1. Attestation of Proper Procedure: The bells may have served as a signal to those outside the Holy Place that Aaron was alive and performing the sacred rituals correctly. If the bells stopped ringing, it could indicate a problem or a transgression that resulted in God's displeasure. This interpretation suggests that the sound ensured those outside knew the ritual was being performed correctly and that Aaron had not been struck dead for any impropriety.
2. Spiritual Protection/Awe: Some scholars believe the sound of the bells played a role in creating an atmosphere of reverence and warding off evil spirits. The audible presence of Aaron before the Lord was necessary. It might have acted as a form of spiritual protection for Aaron as he entered a highly sacred space.
3. Reminder of Presence: The bells could have been a constant reminder to Aaron of the holiness of God and the reverence he needed to maintain while in God's presence. The constant sound would keep him focused and less likely to make a fatal mistake.
4. Symbolic Cleansing: Some scholars see the bells as having a symbolic cleansing effect. The sound would announce Aaron's entry and exit, and this announcement could have been seen as a way to purify the holy place before and after his presence.
In Summary:
The verse emphasizes the importance of the bells on Aaron's priestly garment. Their sound served a dual purpose: to indicate Aaron's presence and activity within the Holy Place and, more significantly, to ensure his safety while ministering in the presence of God. While the exact reason behind the association of the bells with preventing death is debated, it underscores the immense sanctity of the Holy Place and the potential consequences of approaching God without proper reverence and adherence to divine instructions.