Exodus 28:38

“It shall be on the forehead of Aaron, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrate, in all their holy gifts; it shall be on his forehead continually, for their acceptance before YHWH.”

Exodus 28:38 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

38

Exodus 28:38, word by word

It shall beהָיָהhaya

be

To be: "I will be their Elohim".

Where else “haya” appears
the foreheadמֵצַחmetsach

forehead

Forehead.

Where else “metsach” appears
of Aaronאַהֲרֹןaharon

Aaron

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, his spokesman before Pharaoh and the first high priest of Israel.

Where else “aharon” appears
shall bearנָשָׂאnasa

bear

To bear the consequences of a fault, like someone carrying a weight.

Where else “nasa” appears
the iniquityעֲוֺןavon

iniquity

A serious wrong.

Where else “avon” appears
of the holy thingsקֳּדָשִׁיםkodashim

holy thing

Something set apart for God: a day, an offering.

Where else “kodashim” appears
the sonsבְּנֵיbene

descendant

A descendant or member of a people: "sons of Israel".

Where else “bene” appears
of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyisrael

Israel

Israel, the new name Jacob received from God, explained as "you have striven with God" (Genesis 32:28); then the name of the people that came from him and, after the division, of the northern kingdom.

Where else “yisrael” appears
consecrateיַקְדִּישׁוּyakdishu

consecrate

To set apart people, things or a day for God.

Where else “yakdishu” appears
giftsמַתְּנֹתmatnot

gift

Gift, present.

Where else “matnot” appears
continuallyתָּמִידtamid

continually

Continually, always; what is done regularly and without interruption. As a noun, the regular daily offering.

Where else “tamid” appears
for their acceptanceרָצוֹןratson

acceptance

For YHWH to welcome someone or their offering.

Where else “ratson” appears
beforeפְנֵיfene

before

Literally "to the face of": in sight of someone, or on account of something.

Where else “fene” appears
YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears

Translation note

It can be understood that “bear the iniquity” is to take responsibility for any faults there might be in the people’s offerings, so that they would be accepted (“for their acceptance”).

The context

37You shall fasten it on a cord of blue, and it shall be on the turban; on the front of the turban it shall be.

38 · This verse (above)

39You shall weave the tunic of fine linen, and make a turban of fine linen, and a sash you shall make, the work of an embroiderer.

Read all of Exodus 28

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