And the finely worked garments is literally “and clothes of serad.” These are obviously the “vestments” (New Revised Standard Version) described in chapter 28, but the meaning of serad is uncertain. It is used only here, in 35.19, and in 39.1 and 41. Some of the ancient versions translated it as “service vestments” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), but some scholars believe the word has the basic meaning of “braided” or “woven.” Various possibilities are “liturgical vestments” (New Jerusalem Bible), “stitched vestments” (Revised English Bible), “embroidered vestments” (Translator’s Old Testament), or simply “magnificent priestly garments” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version has “the beautiful priestly clothes,” which may be translated as “the beautiful clothes for the priests to wear.”

The holy garments for Aaron the priest begins with waw (“and”) in the Hebrew. This seems to suggest that these are different from the finely worked garments. However, these holy garments should be understood as included within the broader term of finely worked garments, along with the garments of his sons. Revised English Bible makes this clear by translating the “and” as “that is”: “that is the sacred vestments for Aaron the priest and the vestments for his sons.” (See the comment on holy garments at 28.2.) Good News Translation combines all three phrases into one, “the magnificent priestly garments for Aaron and his sons.”

For their service as priests is just one word, literally “to priest.” The same expression is used in 28.1. (See the comment there.)

The anointing oil is described in 30.23-25. The fragrant incense, first mentioned in 25.6, uses the same word for fragrant that is translated as “sweet spices” in 30.34. Good News Translation has “sweet-smelling incense.” For the holy place is literally “for the holy.” (See the comment at 26.33.)

According to all that I have commanded you uses the singular you. They shall do uses the word that also means “make,” so New International Version has “They are to make them just as I commanded you,” referring, or course, to all the things mentioned in verses 7-11.

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 .