Exodus 28 in the early church

119 passages quote, allude to, or echo Exodus 28, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 9 · 12 · 13 · 15 · 17 · 20 · 21 · 30 · 31 · 33 · 35 · 36 · 39 · 40 · 41 · 42 · 43

Exodus 28:1

“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:1On the Destruction of Jerusalem 2.12 · Anonymousallusion, low confidenceca. 370
Exod 28:1Question 46, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 28:1–43On the Lord's Prayer 1147 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 380–394
Exod 28:1–43On the Lord's Prayer 1149 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 380–394
Exod 28:1–43On the Life of Moses 319 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 28:1–43On the Life of Moses 387 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 28:1–43Against Jovinianus 2.34 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
Exod 28:1Poem 25, lines 225–241 · Paulinus of Nolaecho, low confidenceca. 393–431
Exod 28:1–43Exodus, lines 1090–1114 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 28:1On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 2.19 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence411–412
Exod 28:1City of God 17.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence413–426

Exodus 28:2

Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:2Homilies on Leviticus 11.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:2On Fleeing the World 16 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-391

Exodus 28:3

You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:3Miscellanies 1.4.26 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:3Miscellanies 1.17.87 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:3Miscellanies 6.17.154 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203

Exodus 28:4

These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:4Against Heresies 4.20.11 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, medium confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 28:4Miscellanies 5.6.32 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:4PG 12:1309 (Ps 33–34 LXX) · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 28:4Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:4Homilies on Leviticus 6.6 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:4Church History 10.4.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, low confidenceca. 300–325
Exod 28:4Oration II Against the Arians 7 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 339–346
Exod 28:4Letter 29.4 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:4Letter 64.21 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:4–39Sermon 108 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Exod 28:4–39Instructions 2.10 · Eucherius of Lyonallusion, high confidenceca. 428-434
Exod 28:4–39Part 2, chapter 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 28:5

They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:5Against Heresies 2.24.4 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 28:5Homilies on Numbers 9.5 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:5Letter 29.4 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:5–6Letter 65.19 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:5On the Christian Faith 2.0 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 378–380
Exod 28:5–6Homily 11 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 28:5–6On the Twelve Stones 7 (Ligurion) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence394

Exodus 28:6

They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:6Miscellanies 5.6.38 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:6Commentary on Daniel 4.35-37 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 202-204
Exod 28:6Letter 29.4 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:6Letter 29.5 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:6–12Letter 64.15 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:6–12On the Life of Moses 389 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395

Exodus 28:9

Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:9Miscellanies 5.6.37 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:9–12On the Twelve Stones 13 (Adamant) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence394

Exodus 28:12

Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:12Homilies on Exodus 13.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:12Letter 29.5 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Exodus 28:13

Fashion gold filigree settings

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:13–30On the Life of Moses 391 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395

Exodus 28:15

You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:15–21Against Heresies 1.18.4 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 28:15Miscellanies 5.6.38 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:15Homilies on Joshua 0.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:15–30Letter 64.16 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:15–21On the Twelve Stones 0 (Preface) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence394

Exodus 28:17

And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:17–20Against Heresies 1.18.2 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 28:17Miscellanies 5.6.37 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:17Miscellanies 5.6.38 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:17Homilies on Exodus 13.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:17Homilies on Ezekiel 13.3 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Exod 28:17Preparation for the Gospel 11.7.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 28:17Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 34.16.3 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Exod 28:17On the Christian Faith 2.0 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 378–380

Exodus 28:20

and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:20Letter 37.1 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Exodus 28:21

The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:21Against Marcion 4.13 · Tertullianallusion, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 28:21Homilies on Exodus 13.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:21Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 34.17.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Exod 28:21On the Christian Faith 2.0 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 378–380

Exodus 28:30

And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:30Miscellanies 5.6.39 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:30Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:30Homilies on Leviticus 9.5 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:30Commentary on Matthew 16.25 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 246–248
Exod 28:30On the Life of Moses 387 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 28:30On the Twelve Stones 13 (Adamant) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence394

Exodus 28:31

You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:31–35Letter 64.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:31–35On the Life of Moses 389 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 28:31Part 2, chapter 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 28:33

Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:33Protevangelium of James 8 · Anonymousecho, low confidenceca. 150–200
Exod 28:33Dialogue with Trypho 42.1 · Justin Martyrallusion, medium confidenceca. 155–160
Exod 28:33Miscellanies 5.6.37 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:33Canons of Hippolytus, canon 29 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence4th century
Exod 28:33On the Christian Faith 2.0 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 378–380
Exod 28:33–34Part 2, chapter 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 28:35

Aaron must wear the robe whenever he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he enters or exits the sanctuary before the LORD, so that he will not die.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:35Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:35Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 26.12.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377

Exodus 28:36

You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:36Protevangelium of James 4 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 150–200
Exod 28:36Excerpts from Theodotus 27.1 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 200
Exod 28:36Miscellanies 5.6.34 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:36Miscellanies 5.6.38 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 28:36 (28:32 LXX)PG 12:1075 (Ps 1 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 28:36PG 12:1103 (Ps 2 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 28:36Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:36Homilies on Leviticus 6.5 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:36Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 130 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Exod 28:36Church History 3.31.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 300–325
Exod 28:36Church History 5.24.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 300–325
Exod 28:36Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 28:36Catechetical Lecture 22.7 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Exod 28:36–38Letter 64.3 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:36–38Letter 64.17 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:36Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 29.4.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence374-377
Exod 28:36Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 64.6.1 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Exod 28:36–38On the Life of Moses 391 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 28:36On the Twelve Stones 13 (Adamant) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence394
Exod 28:36–38Part 2, chapter 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 28:39

You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:39–40Letter 64.11 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:39Letter 64.12 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Exodus 28:40

Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:40Letter 64.13 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:40Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 7 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430

Exodus 28:41

After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:41Apostolic Constitutions 8.46.9 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 380

Exodus 28:42

Make linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, extending from waist to thigh.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:42Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:42Homilies on Leviticus 4.6 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:42Homilies on Leviticus 6.6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 28:42Letter 29.5 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:42–43Letter 64.10 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:42On the Duties of the Clergy 1.18 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390

Exodus 28:43

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 28:43Letter 65.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 28:43Letter 67.1 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 28:43Letter 72.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Exod 28:43Commentary on Ephesians 4:11–12 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–384
Exod 28:43Letter 64.21 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 28:43On the Duties of the Clergy 1.18 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386–390
Exod 28:43Against the Letter of Parmenian 2.12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 400