The LORD instructed Moses to bring forward his brother Aaron and Aaron's sons — Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar — to serve as priests before Him. To mark them for this sacred office, the LORD commanded that holy garments be made for Aaron, both "for glory and for beauty." He directed Moses to call upon all who were wise-hearted and filled with the spirit of wisdom to craft these garments, which would consecrate Aaron to the priesthood.

The first and most prominent garment described was the ephod, a ceremonial vestment to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads woven with fine linen. It was to have two shoulder pieces joined at its two edges. A skillfully woven belt of the same materials was to be attached to it. Two onyx stones were to be engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel — six names on each stone — and set in gold filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod. These stones were to serve as memorial stones before the LORD, so that Aaron would bear the names of the children of Israel upon his shoulders as a continual remembrance.

Next came the breastplate of judgment, crafted with the same fine workmanship and materials as the ephod. It was to be square and folded double, forming a kind of pouch. Set into it were twelve precious stones arranged in four rows of three, each stone engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The stones specified were sardius, topaz, and carbuncle in the first row; emerald, sapphire, and diamond in the second; ligure, agate, and amethyst in the third; and beryl, onyx, and jasper in the fourth — all set in gold settings. The breastplate was to be attached to the ephod by gold rings and chains of pure gold, bound at the top and secured with blue lace at the bottom so that it would not come loose. In this way, Aaron was to bear the names of the twelve tribes over his heart whenever he entered the holy place, as a continual memorial before God.

Within the breastplate, Aaron was to carry the Urim and the Thummim, sacred objects used for discerning God's judgment. These were to rest over Aaron's heart whenever he came before the LORD, so that he would perpetually bear the judgment of the children of Israel before Him.

God then described the robe of the ephod, which was to be made entirely of blue. It was to have a woven opening at the top for the head, reinforced like the collar of a coat of armor so that it would not tear. Along the hem, alternating pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet — made of linen — and golden bells were to be attached all around. Aaron was to wear this robe when he ministered, so that the sound of the bells would be heard as he entered and exited the holy place before the LORD. This detail was given with a solemn warning: The bells were to ensure Aaron did not die in the LORD's presence.

Following the robe, God commanded that a plate of pure gold be made and engraved with the words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." This golden plate was to be fastened with a blue lace to the front of Aaron's mitre and worn upon his forehead. Its purpose was to bear any iniquity attached to the holy offerings of Israel, so that the people's gifts might be accepted before the LORD.

The remaining garments — a coat, a mitre, and a girdle — were to be made for Aaron with fine linen. God also specified that linen coats, girdles, and bonnets were to be made for Aaron's sons. In addition, linen breeches were to be fashioned for both Aaron and his sons, reaching from the waist to the thighs, to cover their nakedness as they served at the altar, so that they would not bear iniquity and die.

Exodus 28 concludes by stating that these garments were to be put upon Aaron and his sons when they were anointed and consecrated to serve in the priest's office. This was declared to be a statute forever, to be observed by Aaron and his descendants.