These are the garments points forward to the list that follows, though the order is not the same throughout the chapter. Breastpiece is a technical term for the square pouch worn over the breast of the high priest, in which the Urim and Thummim were placed (see verse 30). Or one may say, for example, “the sacred pouch” (Moffatt) or “the sacred pouches [or, pockets] over the chest.” The breastpiece is described in verses 15-30.
Ephod is a transliteration of the Hebrew word. There is no English equivalent, but it was most likely a kind of “apron” (Moffatt, An American Translation) with shoulder straps. It is described in verses 6-14. (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch uses Amtsschurz [“apron of office,” or “of position”] for the breastpiece and Brusttasche [“breast pocket”] for the ephod.)
The robe is described in verses 31-35. It evidently had holes for the arms as well as the head, but it had no sleeves. It was worn over the coat or “tunic” described below, but under the breastpiece and ephod. Other ways to express robe are “long cloth outer garment” or “long coat.”
The coat of checker work is mentioned again in verse 39, but it is not otherwise described. The word for coat is better rendered as “tunic,” for it was a common piece of clothing worn by both men and women. It was usually ankle-length and was worn next to the skin, so Good News Translation‘s and Contemporary English Version‘s “embroidered shirt” is misleading. It probably had sleeves that provided the only covering for the arms. The meaning of checker work is not certain. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “fringed,” New International Version has “woven,” New American Bible has “brocaded,” and Good News Translation has “embroidered.” If it was “a chequered tunic” (Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version), then it may have had a checked design formed either by different colored threads or by a raised honeycomb weave. In any case many translators will say something like “a tunic on which they have used different colored threads to sew an intricate [or, beautiful] design.”
The word for turban comes from the verb meaning “to wrap or wind around.” It was the headdress for the high priest and is described briefly in verse 39. Aaron’s sons were to wear a different kind of headdress. (See the comment at verse 40.) Some languages may have a general term for anything worn around the head. Others will have a specific term for turban. It is also possible to use a descriptive phrase; for example, “a piece of cloth wrapped around the head as a covering.”
The girdle is better translated as “sash” (Good News Translation). It is described in verse 39 only as “embroidered,” but it was probably a long piece of cloth that was wrapped around the waist several times over the tunic. In some languages it may be described as “a cloth belt” or “waistband.”
They shall make holy garments is identical with verse 2, except that they is used instead of “you.” To serve me as priests is identical with verse 1. (See the comment there on the Hebrew verb form.)
Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .