Exodus 28:37

And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

And thou shalt put {H7760} it on a blue {H8504} lace {H6616}, that it may be upon the mitre {H4701}; upon the forefront {H6440}{H4136} of the mitre {H4701} it shall be.

Fasten it to the turban with a blue cord, on the front of the turban,

Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.

And thou shalt put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and the sacred garments for Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons. Specifically, Exodus 28:37 describes the precise placement of the "plate of pure gold" (as mentioned in Exodus 28:36), which was to be engraved with the profound inscription, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." This plate was to be fastened to the High Priest's turban, or mitre, ensuring its prominent visibility during his service.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Consecration: The central theme is the absolute holiness of God and the requirement for His chosen High Priest to embody and declare this holiness. The inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (KJV) on the High Priest's forehead served as a constant reminder of God's purity and the consecrated nature of the priestly office.
  • Divine Appointment and Authority: The meticulous instructions for the priestly garments, including the specific attachment of this plate, underscore that the priesthood was not a human invention but a divinely ordained institution, vital for Israel's worship and relationship with God.
  • Representation: The High Priest acted as a representative of the entire Israelite nation before God. The plate on his forehead signified that he, and by extension the people he represented, were set apart and consecrated to the Lord. This was crucial for him to "bear the iniquity of the holy things" offered by the Israelites.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mitre" (Hebrew: mitsnephet, מִצְנֶפֶת) refers specifically to the High Priest's distinctive turban, which was more elaborate than the caps worn by ordinary priests. Its design and the placement of the gold plate upon its "forefront" (Hebrew: qadim, קָדִים, meaning "front" or "east," indicating a forward-facing position) emphasized its significance and visibility. The "blue lace" (Hebrew: p'til t'khelet, פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת) used to attach the plate was made from a costly dye, symbolizing heaven, divinity, and royalty, further accentuating the sacredness of the High Priest's role and the heavenly origin of his calling.

Significance and Application

The symbolism of Exodus 28:37 profoundly points to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate High Priest, perfectly holy and consecrated, who offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice for our sins. He truly is the embodiment of "Holiness to the Lord," bearing our iniquity and representing us perfectly before God.

For believers today, while we do not wear physical garments, the concept of holiness remains vital. The New Testament teaches that all believers are part of a "holy priesthood" and a "royal priesthood". This means we are called to live lives consecrated to God, bearing the "Holiness to the Lord" not on a physical plate, but in our character, conduct, and worship. Our commitment to God's holiness should be visible and evident in all aspects of our lives, just as the plate was prominently displayed on the High Priest's forehead.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 28:4 (2 votes)

    And these [are] the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

  • Exodus 29:6 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

  • Exodus 28:31 (2 votes)

    ¶ And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all [of] blue.

  • Zechariah 3:5 (2 votes)

    And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

  • Exodus 39:30 (2 votes)

    And they made the plate of the holy crown [of] pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, [like to] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

  • Exodus 39:31 (2 votes)

    And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten [it] on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Numbers 15:38 (2 votes)

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: