Exodus 28:37 kjv
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.
Exodus 28:37 nkjv
And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.
Exodus 28:37 niv
Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban.
Exodus 28:37 esv
And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban.
Exodus 28:37 nlt
Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron's turban, where it must remain.
Exodus 28 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:36 | "And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD." | Preceding verse: the inscription on the plate. |
| Lev 10:17 | "…to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord." | Priest bearing the people's guilt. |
| Lev 19:2 | "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy." | God's command for His people to be holy. |
| Lev 21:12 | "Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him." | Priest's sanctity connected to his anointing. |
| Num 15:38-39 | "…that they make them fringes in the borders… and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue." | Blue cord for remembering God's commands. |
| Deut 6:8 | "And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes." | Symbolic binding of words to forehead. |
| Isa 52:11 | "Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." | Purity required for God's service. |
| Isa 53:6 | "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." | Messiah bearing sins. |
| Zech 3:1-9 | Describes Joshua the high priest, arrayed in filthy garments, then given clean ones, with sin removed. | Symbolic cleansing of priesthood, new garments. |
| Heb 4:14 | "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." | Christ as the ultimate High Priest. |
| Heb 7:26-27 | "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens..." | Christ's perfect holiness. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come… by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place…" | Christ's blood as superior atonement. |
| Heb 12:10-14 | "…that we might be partakers of his holiness… follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord…" | Believers' call to partake in God's holiness. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." | New Testament command to be holy. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices…" | Believers as a holy priesthood. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light…" | Believers as a royal priesthood. |
| 2 Cor 5:21 | "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." | Christ bearing sin for righteousness. |
| Eph 5:27 | "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." | The church, presented holy by Christ. |
| Rev 1:6 | "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." | Believers as kings and priests. |
| Rev 4:8 | "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." | God's absolute holiness declared perpetually. |
| Rev 22:4 | "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." | Future marking of God's own people. |
Exodus 28 verses
Exodus 28 37 Meaning
Exodus 28:37 details the placement of the "Holy Crown," a plate of pure gold bearing the inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," upon the high priest Aaron's mitre. The verse specifically instructs that this plate is to be affixed by a blue cord onto the forefront of the mitre. This precise instruction underscores the paramount importance of holiness, the very nature of God, which was to be perpetually visible and conceptually borne by the high priest as he ministered before the Lord on behalf of the Israelites. It served as a constant reminder of God's sanctity and the essential requirement of holiness for drawing near to Him.
Exodus 28 37 Context
Exodus 28:37 is part of the extensive instructions given by God to Moses regarding the construction of the tabernacle and, specifically, the garments for Aaron and his sons, who were to serve as priests. The entire chapter (Exodus 28) details the design and purpose of these holy vestments, each element being imbued with profound symbolic meaning. These garments were not merely ornamental but were essential for Aaron's sanctification and identification as the chosen mediator between God and Israel. This particular verse describes the precise attachment of the "Holy Crown" – a plate with "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" – which signified that Aaron bore the sacred identity of the people and carried their "iniquity in holy things" (Exod 28:38) before a holy God. The historical context reflects Israel as a newly formed nation, needing clear, tangible representations of God's presence, laws, and the required method of approaching Him through an appointed priesthood, thereby establishing a stark contrast to pagan worship where priests often mediated with false gods and performed rites considered an abomination by God.
Exodus 28 37 Word analysis
- And thou shalt put it: This phrase (וְנָתַתָּ֣ אֹת֔וֹ, wənātattā ʾōtô) signifies a direct command for placement. It refers to the tzitz (צִּיץ), the pure gold plate described in the preceding verse. The High Priest himself was commanded to wear this; its placement was crucial for his function.
- on a blue lace: (ʿal-pĕtîl têkêlet, עַל־פְּתִיל֩ תְּכֵ֨לֶת).
- on: (ʿal, עַל) indicates direct placement upon or over.
- a blue lace/cord/thread: (pĕtîl têkêlet, פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת). Pĕtîl refers to a cord or thread. Têkêlet (תְּכֵלֶת) refers to a specific type of blue, a dye extracted from a marine snail (Murex trunculus), known for its permanence and rarity. This color frequently symbolizes the heavens, the divine, and commandments throughout the Tabernacle and priestly garments (e.g., Exod 26, Num 15:38-39), connecting the priest's service to the heavenly realm and obedience to God's commands. It signifies divine authority and sanctity.
- that it may be upon the mitre; (ʿal-ha-mitznefet yihyeh, עַל־הַמִּצְנֶ֖פֶת יִהְיֶ֑ה).
- upon the mitre: (ʿal-ha-mitznefet, עַל־הַמִּצְנֶפֶת). Mitznefet (מִצְנֶפֶת) specifically denotes the turban or headdress of the High Priest. This was distinct from the hats worn by the ordinary priests (migba'ah). Its distinctness underscored the unique, elevated role of the High Priest. The tzitz being upon the mitre makes it the most prominent, uppermost emblem.
- upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. (ʾel-mûl pĕnê-hamitznefet yihyeh, אֶל־מוּל פְּנֵי־הַמִּצְנֶ֖פֶת יִהְיֶֽה).
- upon the forefront: (ʾel-mûl pĕnê, אֶל־מוּל פְּנֵי). Mûl pĕnê means "facing the front of" or "opposite the face of," emphasizing that the golden plate, and its inscription, must be conspicuously placed at the very front of the mitre. This ensures visibility to all, reflecting the public and prominent nature of the priest's role as God's representative. It ensured the inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" was seen by everyone as the priest served.
- it shall be: (yihyeh, יִהְיֶה) – expresses the divine imperative; it is to be a perpetual arrangement.
Exodus 28 37 Bonus section
The "Holy Crown" or "Holy Diadem" (tzitz) with its inscription, known as the mitznefet, can be understood as an ancient prophetic object lesson. The Hebrew root for tzitz can mean "flower" or "to shine forth," implying both beauty and eminence. The constant presence of "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" on the High Priest's forehead served as a continuous affirmation of God's unblemished nature to a fallen people. This act of "bearing iniquity" for the people through a holy object illustrates God's provision for dealing with sin, even inadvertent sin in their sacred acts, foreshadowing the comprehensive covering that only the perfect holiness of Christ could ultimately achieve. This design not only consecrated Aaron but also constantly pointed to the absolute, unwavering holiness of the God of Israel, challenging any contemporary beliefs that might portray deities as fickle, arbitrary, or morally flawed. The requirement for a specific, ritually purified priest, with explicit signs of holiness, was a direct counterpoint to common pagan practices where unholy individuals often conducted temple rites, frequently involving impure acts.
Exodus 28 37 Commentary
Exodus 28:37 highlights the meticulous nature of God's instructions for the priestly garments, particularly focusing on the "Holy Crown" – a gold plate bearing "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." This was not mere decoration but a foundational aspect of Aaron's sacred office. Its prominent placement on the high priest's forehead ensured constant visibility, serving as a public declaration of the holiness required in God's presence and borne by His chosen representative. The blue cord symbolized the divine nature and God's commandments, binding the priest to the heavenly realm.
This element allowed Aaron, who himself was not inherently without sin, to bear the "iniquity in holy things" of the Israelites (Exod 28:38). In essence, God accepted the "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" declared on the High Priest's brow as covering for any unwitting imperfections or profanations that might occur in the holy offerings or service of the people. This prefigured the perfect atonement offered by Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, whose inherent and declared "Holiness" perfectly covers all the "iniquities of our holy things" – our prayers, worship, and service, which are themselves imperfect – allowing us to draw near to God without blemish. The temporal priest pointed to the eternal Priest, demonstrating that access to a holy God is always predicated on perfect holiness, ultimately supplied by God Himself.