Leviticus 8:8

And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) And he put the breast-plate upon him.—Called more fully, “the breast-plate of judgment,” which was also a distinctive pontifical garment, and which was made of the same costly materials and the same skilful work as the ephod. (See Exodus 28:15, &c.)

Also he put in the breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim.—Better, and he put into, &c. (see Exodus 28:30), that is, Moses put into the bag of the breast-plate (comp. Exodus 25:16) these material objects which were separate from the breast-plate, as well as from the gems set in the breast-plate. (See Exodus 28:30.)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-13 The consecration of Aaron and his sons had been delayed until the tabernacle had been prepared, and the laws of the sacrifices given. Aaron and his sons were washed with water, to signify that they ought to purify themselves from all sinful dispositions, and ever after to keep themselves pure. Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood whom he makes kings and priests to our God, Re 1:5,6; and those that draw near to God must be washed in pure water, Heb 10:22. The anointing of Aaron was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit, which was not given by measure to him. All believers have received the anointing.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Exodus 28.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7-9. he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle—The splendor of the official vestments, together with the gorgeous tiara of the high priest, was intended, doubtless, in the first instance, to produce in the minds of the people a high respect for the ministers of religion; and in the next, from the predominant use of linen, to inculcate upon Aaron and his sons the duty of maintaining unspotted righteousness in their characters and lives.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he put the breastplate upon him,.... Which was made of the same materials with the ephod, and was put upon it, and fastened to it:

also he put in the breastplate the Urim and Thummim: that is, Moses did it, as all the rest; for there is no reason to be given why this should be appropriated to God as a divine work, distinct from the rest; and these seem to be the twelve precious stones set in the breastplate, whose names are given, Exodus 27:17 and if they are not intended, no account is here given of them; but since in Exodus 29:8 an account is given of the stones, and of the setting of them in the breastplate, and no mention is made of the Urim and Thummim, and here notice is taken of them, but nothing said of the stones; it seems pretty plain they must be the same; See Gill on Exodus 28:30.

Geneva Study Bible

And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. And he placed the breastplate upon him] The breastplate of Judgement, described Exodus 28:15-30; Exodus 39:8-21, was made of the same material as the ephod, and being twice as long as it was broad, became when folded a square of which each side was a span long, and served as a pocket to contain the Urim and the Thummim. It was fastened to the ephod by means of rings of gold, golden cords, and ‘a lace of blue’ or ribbon, though the exact manner of its attachment is not clear. The meaning of the word ‘breastplate’ (Heb. ḥôshen) is uncertain; either ‘ornament,’ referring to the richness of its material, or ‘pocket,’ indicating the purpose for which it was used. Cp. Exodus 28:13-30 and the notes on the passage.

the Urim and the Thummim] That is, the Lights and the Perfections, as R.V. mg. Neither here nor in any other place where Urim and Thummim are mentioned is any further description of these objects given, nor of the manner in which they were employed. See Driver on Exod. pp. 313 f.

Leviticus 8:8

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Then followed the clothing of Aaron. Moses put upon him the body-coat (Exodus 28:39) and girdle (Exodus 28:39 and Exodus 39:22), then clothes him with the mel (Exodus 28:31-35) and ephod (Exodus 28:6-14), and the choshen with the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:15-30), and put the cap (Exodus 28:39) upon his head, with the golden diadem over his forehead (Exodus 28:36-38). This investiture, regarded as the putting on of an important official dress, was a symbol of his endowment with the character required for the discharge of the duties of his office, the official costume being the outward sign of installation in the office which he was to fill.