Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons is literally “And you [singular] shall cause Aaron and his sons to draw near.” This does not necessarily mean that Moses was to escort them. One may say “you shall have them draw near,” or even “you shall have them bring Aaron and his sons to….” To the door of the tent of meeting refers to the “entrance of the tent” itself (Good News Translation). This was where the washbasin was placed. (See verses 6-7 above.) And shall wash them with water is exactly what the text says. Good News Translation has “and have them take a ritual bath,” but this may be influenced by verse 31 below. It was certainly to be “a ritual bath,” but Moses himself was to do the washing. (See the comment at 29.4.) New Jerusalem Bible has “bathe them thoroughly,” but this is a doubtful interpretation.

And put upon Aaron the holy garments is literally “and you [singular] shall clothe Aaron with the clothes of holiness.” Here it seems that Moses himself was to put “the priestly garments” (Good News Translation) on Aaron. These are “the sacred vestments” (New Revised Standard Version) mentioned in chapters 28 and 39. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him is similar to the instructions in 28.41. (See the comment there.) Since this probably refers to just one action, Good News Translation has “anoint him, and in this way consecrate him,” and Contemporary English Version has “use the sacred oil to ordain him.” (See also the comment at verse 9 above.) That he may serve me as priest is literally “and he will priest to [or, for] me,” using a verbal form of the word for priest. (See the comment at 28.1.)

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 .