The unique ornamented vestments of Aaron (Sir 45:10-45:13)

“The sacred vestments were

Gold,

Violet,

And purple.

They were the work of an embroiderer.

Aaron had the oracle of judgment,

The Urim and the Thummim.

They had twisted crimson,

The work of a craftsman.

There were precious stones

Engraved like signet seals.

There was a setting of gold,

The work of a jeweler.

This was a commemoration

In engraved letters,

Of each of the tribes of Israel.

He had a gold crown upon his turban.

This was inscribed

Like a signet seal with

‘Holiness.’

This was a distinction to be prized.

This was the work of an expert.

This was the delight for the eyes,

As this was richly adorned.

Before him,

Such beautiful things did not exist.

No outsider ever put them on.

Only his sons put this on.

Only his descendants perpetually put this on.”

The colorful vestments of Aaron were made of embroidered gold, violet, and purple. The artisans had made these crimson yarns. The Urim and Thummim were sacred oracles, in the pouch of the breastplate of judgment, according to Exodus, chapter 28. Aaron would carry the names of the Israelites and the judgment of the Israelites, when he went into the holy place. This unmentioned breastplate had precious stones engraved seals of the 12 tribes in settings of gold. He had a gold crown on his head that was on the top of his turban with gold flower designs. On the top of it was engraved “holiness” or as in Exodus, “Holy to Yahweh.” These highly artistic works were a delight to the eye since nothing like it existed anywhere before. Nobody, but Aaron and his sons could wear these vestments. Eventually, these became the sacred vestments of the Temple high priest.

The priestly clothing for Aaron and his sons (Ex 28:40-28:43)

“For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, sashes, and headdresses.  You shall make them for their glorious adornment.  You shall put them on your brother Aaron, and on his sons with him.  You shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve me as priests.  You shall make for them undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs.  Aaron and his sons shall wear them, when they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place.  Otherwise they will bring guilt upon themselves and die.  This shall be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him.”

You have the same clothing for Aaron and his sons.  They are going to be anointed, ordained, and consecrated as priests.  However, they should have undergarments to cover their naked flesh from their hips to the thighs.  This is one of the first indications of undergarments since it was not clear what people wore.  Perhaps the famous loin cloth was what we might call underwear today.  Aaron and his sons were to wear these whenever they went into the meeting tent and the holy place. This is a perpetual ordinance for Aaron and all his descendents.  Obviously the descendents of Moses are not that important.