The Bonnets

From: The Tabernacle, the Priesthood and the Offerings

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Exodus 28:40; Exodus 39:28 • 3 min. read • grade level: 7

Exodus 28:40⁴⁰And 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. (Exodus 28:40); Exodus 39:28²⁸And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, (Exodus 39:28)

"And bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.-Ex. 28:40

"And goodly bonnets of fine linen.-Ex. 39:28

The word (migbahgohth) translated " bonnets " only occurs four times, and is exclusively used for the head dress of the priests. It is derived from a verb signifying " elevation," often used for a hill. They apparently differed from the miter of the high priest, in the fact that they were bound round the heads of the priests, which is never said of the miter.

And put (margin bind) the bonnets on them. Ex. 29:9⁹And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. (Exodus 29:9).

And put (margin bound) bonnets upon them. Lev. 8:13¹³And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 8:13).

They were probably rolls of fine linen, folded like a turban round the head. The word translated " goodly," (Ex. 39:28,²⁸And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, (Exodus 39:28)) is worthy of notice. It is rendered " bonnets." Isa. 3:20,²⁰The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, (Isaiah 3:20); Ezek. 44:18,¹⁸They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat. (Ezekiel 44:18); " tire of the head." Ezek. 24:17,23,¹⁷Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. (Ezekiel 24:17)
²³And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. (Ezekiel 24:23); "beauty." Isa. 61:3³To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3).; " Ornaments." Isa. 61:10,¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) and is derived from a verb, signifying " to beautify, or glorify."

These head dresses were therefore for exaltation, for ornament, and for glory and beauty.

It has been before remarked that the covering of the head betokened subjection, and the recognition of being in the presence of a superior. The Jews to this day, always keep their heads covered in the synagogue; and even in private, when a strict Jew opens the Bible he covers his head. A priestly standing is one of constant subjection to the revealed will of God; and of abiding consciousness of His presence. And this is true dignity. God has raised us up in perfect righteousness, complete in Christ, ever to abide before Him; His kings and priests. And in this height of elevation, we walk in the liberty of Christ, holding Him only as our Head, subject to Him in all things, and " not the servants of man." The righteousness of faith-the obedience of faith, instead of the self-will of the flesh, and the unsubject mind, is the truly priestly clothing from head to foot. Being made free from sin we are servants of righteousness, servants of God. Rom. 6:18,22¹⁸Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22). Our blessed occupation is during this night of the world's darkness, to stand in the house of the Lord to praise His name. Psa. 134:1¹<<A Song of degrees.>> Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. (Psalm 134:1) Psa. 135: 1-3.

These head-tires of white are said to be goodly or ornamental. There was nothing of display to attract the common gaze, but like the adorning recommended for Christian women, (1 Pet. 3: 4, 5,) they were types of the meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price. Like the holy women of old who trusted in. God, and thus adorned themselves, in subjection to their own husbands.

There is a " glory and beauty" in spotless righteousness which may be little accounted of by men, but which enables us to approach God with confidence, and fits us for His Holy presence. Such was in type the dress of Aaron's sons the priests. Psa. 132:9⁹Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. (Psalm 132:9).

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