Exodus 39:31 kjv
And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:31 nkjv
And they tied to it a blue cord, to fasten it above on the turban, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:31 niv
Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:31 esv
And they tied to it a cord of blue to fasten it on the turban above, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:31 nlt
They attached the medallion with a blue cord to Aaron's turban, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 28:36-38 | “You shall make a plate of pure gold... inscribed, ‘Holiness to the LORD.’ And you shall fasten it on a blue cord...” | Original command for the plate and blue cord. |
| Exo 29:6 | "And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban." | Command for investing Aaron with the crown. |
| Lev 8:9 | "And he placed the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he placed the gold plate, the holy crown, as the LORD commanded Moses." | Fulfillment by Moses, emphasizing obedience. |
| Num 4:6 | "...and spread over it a cloth all of blue..." | Blue color associated with holy objects. |
| Num 15:38-39 | "...that they make fringes on the corners... a cord of blue on the fringe of each corner." | Blue signifying remembrance of God's commands. |
| Eze 23:6 | "...clothed in blue and embroidered work..." | Blue associated with royalty, dignity. |
| Heb 7:26 | "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained..." | Christ's perfect holiness superseding earthly priests. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God..." | Christ as our ultimate High Priest. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, he entered through the greater and more perfect tent..." | Christ's superior sacrifice and priestly work. |
| Exo 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,32,43 | (Repeated refrain throughout Exodus 39) "as the LORD commanded Moses." | Emphasizes strict obedience in Tabernacle construction. |
| Exo 25:9 | "Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." | God's specific instructions for Tabernacle. |
| Exo 25:40 | "And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain." | Emphasis on divine pattern for worship. |
| Psa 19:7-8 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul... The precepts of the LORD are right..." | God's commands are precise and beneficial. |
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it..." | Warning against altering divine commands. |
| Deut 12:32 | "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it." | God's comprehensive and exclusive authority. |
| Lev 10:10 | "...that you may distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean..." | Priestly duty of distinction and sanctification. |
| Lev 11:44-45 | "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy." | Call to holiness for all God's people. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’" | New Testament echoing the call to holiness. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name..." | Christ's exalted position, reflecting the priest's office. |
| Rev 19:12 | "He has eyes like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems..." | Royal imagery of Christ's headwear. |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 31 Meaning
Exodus 39:31 describes the final step in the preparation of the high priest's golden plate, the "holy crown," which bore the inscription "Holiness to the LORD." This verse specifically details its secure attachment to the high priest's turban using a cord of blue, emphasizing meticulous adherence to God's exact divine commands. This attachment served to physically embody the theological concept of sanctification and consecrated service that the high priest represented before God on behalf of Israel.
Exodus 39 31 Context
Exodus 39 is part of a detailed account of the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings and priestly garments, following the exact specifications given by the LORD to Moses on Mount Sinai. This chapter systematically lists the execution of what was previously commanded in chapters 25-31 and 35-38, often reiterating the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" to underscore divine authority and human obedience. Specifically, verses 27-31 focus on the completion of the priestly robes, culminating in the golden plate—the holy crown—for the high priest's turban. This final item was critical for the high priest's role, embodying Israel's consecrated status before God. The meticulous detail in construction contrasts sharply with the spontaneous, often chaotic, practices of surrounding pagan cults, emphasizing YHWH's ordered holiness and sovereign command.
Exodus 39 31 Word analysis
- And they tied (וַיִּתְּנוּ – vayit'nu): Literally "And they gave/put," but in context of attachment, "tied" or "fastened" is an accurate rendering. This shows human activity in obedient response to divine instruction. The verb emphasizes purposeful action.
- unto it (עָלָיו – 'alav): Refers to the golden plate inscribed "Holiness to the LORD," specifically to the loops or perforations made on it for attachment.
- a lace (פְּתִיל – p'til): A cord, thread, or ribbon. Not just any string, but a specifically prepared material suitable for the holy garment. It indicates precision in securing the sacred emblem.
- of blue (תְּכֵלֶת – t'khelet): This is a precious blue-violet dye, likely from the Murex snail. It signifies heaven, divine revelation, royalty, and purity. Its use here reinforces the sacred nature of the plate and the priest's direct connection to the divine realm, differentiating him and his function as representing God's heavenly purposes on earth.
- to fasten it (לָשׂוּם – lasum): To place, set, or fasten. It implies careful and deliberate placement. The goal is permanent and proper positioning.
- on high (עַל־מַעְלָה – 'al-ma'lah): This adverb emphasizes the position: on top or above. The plate was to be conspicuously placed at the front of the turban, visible to all and positioned near the high priest's forehead, signifying his consecrated mind and role.
- upon the mitre (עַל־הַמִּצְנֶפֶת – 'al-ha-mitz'nefet): Refers to the High Priest's turban or head covering. It was not merely an accessory but a symbol of his office, his purity, and his sacred identification with God. Its placement signifies the ultimate authority and sacred purpose upon his very thoughts and mind.
- as the LORD commanded Moses (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה – ka'asher tzivah YHVH et-Mosheh): This recurring phrase (appearing dozens of times in Exodus in the context of Tabernacle construction) is a theological assertion of divine authorization and human fidelity. It is not a mere descriptive detail but a powerful declaration that every aspect of the sanctuary and priestly service was divinely ordained, underscoring the absolute authority of God and the necessity of precise obedience in worship. It subtly distinguishes Israel's worship from self-devised or idolatrous practices of neighboring nations, affirming God's unique order and purity.
Exodus 39 31 Bonus section
The golden plate, also known as the "holy diadem," was worn specifically over the high priest's turban, signifying that even his very thoughts and intellect, symbolized by the head, were consecrated to the LORD. Its continuous presence upon his forehead during his service meant he symbolically bore the iniquity of the holy things offered by the children of Israel, so that they might be accepted before the LORD (Exo 28:38). This pointed forward to Christ, who, as our Great High Priest, bears our iniquities and perfects our access to God through His holy sacrifice and perpetual intercession (Heb 9:11-12). The deep symbolism of t'khelet (blue) went beyond aesthetics, representing divine majesty, law, and truth, elements that flow from heaven to earth. The meticulous nature of God's commands for the Tabernacle stood in stark contrast to pagan altars, which were often simple, crude, and lacked any divine instruction, symbolizing a polemic against the arbitrary and impure worship practices of surrounding cultures.
Exodus 39 31 Commentary
Exodus 39:31 culminates the description of the high priest's attire by specifying the precise attachment of the golden plate. This plate, inscribed "Holiness to the LORD," served as the high priest's "holy crown," embodying the sacredness required for communion with God. The detail of attaching it with a t'khelet blue cord is not arbitrary; the blue symbolizes heavenly origin and purity, connecting the priest's person directly to God's divine will and revelation. Its placement "on high upon the mitre" made the inscription perpetually visible, a constant reminder of God's holiness to the priest, the people, and even before God himself (Exo 28:38).
The repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" is the most significant aspect, occurring numerous times in chapters 35-39. This refrain transforms a simple instruction into a profound theological statement. It asserts divine sovereignty, underscoring that the entire Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments were not products of human ingenuity or aesthetics, but direct manifestations of God's design. This precise adherence emphasized that worship and service were to be conducted strictly on God's terms, ensuring legitimacy, efficacy, and guarding against defilement by human innovation. This foreshadows the necessity of right worship and submission to Christ, our true High Priest, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness according to divine command. This meticulous obedience teaches us the importance of serving God according to His revealed will, not our own preferences, striving for holiness in every aspect of our lives as those who bear the mark of Christ. For example, Christians today are called to holy conduct (1 Pet 1:15-16), not by human dictates, but by the pattern set by Christ, our ultimate "Holiness to the LORD."