What garments did Aaron wear on the Day of Atonement?
On the Day of Atonement, Aaron wore holy linen garments: a linen coat, linen breeches (underclothes) upon his flesh, a linen girdle, and a linen miter. These were freshly washed and designated as holy garments, as prescribed in Leviticus chapter 16.
Les explains that Leviticus chapter 16 describes Aaron's entrance into the holy place, which was behind the veil upon the ark of the mercy seat. Aaron was to bring a young bullock for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He was to put on the holy linen coat, linen breeches upon his flesh, a linen girdle, and a linen miter. These garments were freshly washed and are all called holy garments. Les notes this follows the death of Aaron's two sons who offered strange fire.
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
More Questions
Why did Aaron have to wash his body before putting on the holy garments?
Aaron's own flesh had to be washed in water so that everything about him was impeccably clean, and not only his spotless linen clothing.