Special robes worn by the Priests in the Sanctuary and Temple. This attire was stored in special rooms when not being worn and could not be taken out of a specific area in the Temple compound. The High Priest wore eight garments, four undergarments and four outer garments. Ordinary priests wore special undergarments but not the outer garments.
The High Priest's four undergarments were a tunic, a sash, a headdress, and breeches. The tunic was woven from linen and wool and, unlike those of the ordinary priests, was fringed (Ex. 28:39-40). The sash went around the tunic: that of the High Priest was woven from fine linen and dyed wools (Ex. 28:39, 39:29), while those of the regular priests were fashioned from fine twined linen only. The turban of Aaron, the High Priest, was a miter, while ordinary priests wore "decorated turbans for headgear." The breeches were "to cover the flesh of their nakedness, from the hips to the thighs" (Ex. 28:42, 39:28; Ezek. 44:18).
The four rich and splendid outer garments were worn only by the High Priest. They were made of a mixture of dyed wool and fine linen woven by skilled workman. Another characteristic of these garments was the interwoven threads of pure gold and the gold filaments. These expensive materials imparted an even higher degree of holiness to the priestly garments.
The four outer garments were the ephod, the breastplate, the robe of the ephod, and the plate (crown) hanging in front of the miter (turban). These outer garments had the character of royalty since they were woven from gold, blue, and purple wool. They were complemented by the plate. When the High Priest wore all these garments along with the miter, and was in full dress, he was the picture of royalty.
The ephod was worn over the blue tunic, secured by two shoulder straps and a belt in the middle. The straps bore two onyx stones with the names of the 12 sons of Jacob (six on each stone; Ex. 28:5-14). The front of the ephod carried the breastplate, which was either a square tablet or pouch, and which was made of gold, various fibers, and wool. On it were placed the Urim and Thummim, which the High Priests used as oracles for purposes of divination.
The robe of the ephod was worn under the ephod and was therefore longer than the ephod and extended below it. This garment was entirely made of blue wool, and on its hem hung bells of gold and pomegranate shapes made from wool and linen (Ex. 28:31-35). There was much controversy about the number of bells and pomegranates, with the rabbis arguing as to whether there were 72 or 36 (Zev. 88b).
The plate, sometimes known as a crown, hung on a blue thread in front of the miter. Fashioned from pure gold, it had two words on it, kodesh l-Adonai ("holy to the Lord"; Ex. 28:36-38). During the Second Temple period, only the name of God was inscribed on the plate (Josephus., Ant. III,178).
In contrast to the regal attire worn the rest of the year, on the Day of Atonement the High Priest wore garments made of ordinary linen; a tunic, breeches, sash, and miter (Lev. 16:4). The ordinary priest wore breeches of regular linen when he ascended the steps of the outer altar to remove the ashes that were left from the sacrifice (Lev. 6:3).
