Lesson: Mitre or Turban with the Golden Plate (No. CB66)

Goal:

To review the turban/mitre and golden plate and gain understanding of their symbolic representation.

Objectives:

Children will learn the biblical description of the turban/mitre and golden plate.

Children will gain an appreciation of the head and forehead.

Children will gain an appreciation of being holy and dedicated to the Lord.

Children will learn how the priest’s garments pointed toward Christ as our High Priest.

Resources:

Revised Standard Bible

King James Bible

The Garments of the High Priest (CB61)

Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Relevant Scriptures:

Exodus 28:36-38

Exodus 29:6-9

Exodus 39:30,31

Leviticus 16:4

Memory Verses:

Exodus 39:30,31

Format:

Open with prayer

Lesson

Summary

Activity

Close with prayer

Note:

SHD = Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary

SGD = Strong’s Greek Dictionary

Lesson:

Exodus 28:4 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. (King James Version or KJV)

Exodus 28:36-38 And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 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 it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. (KJV)

The High Priest represented Messiah and the Laws of God written on His mind and heart.

Easton’s comments on the Mitre and Bonnet for the High Priest:

(Heb. mitsnepheth), something rolled round the head; the turban or head-dress of the high priest (Exd 28:4,37,39; 29:6, etc.). In the Authorized Version of Eze 21:26, this Hebrew word is rendered "diadem," but in the Revised Version, "mitre." It was a twisted band of fine linen, 8 yards in length, coiled into the form of a cap, and worn on official occasions (Lev 8:9; 16:4; Zec 3:5). On the front of it was a golden plate with the inscription, "Holiness to the Lord." The mitsnepheth differed from the mitre or head-dress (migba'ah) of the common priest. (See BONNET T0000621.)

Common Priest

Bonnet 0621

(Heb. peer), Exd 39:28 (R.V., "head-tires"); Eze 44:18 (R.V., "tires"), denotes properly a turban worn by priests, and in Isa. 3:20 (R.V., "head-tires") a head-dress or tiara worn by females. The Hebrew word so rendered literally means an ornament, as in Isa 61:10 (R.V., "garland"), and in Eze 24:17, 23 "tire" (R.V., "head-tire"). It consisted of a piece of cloth twisted about the head. In Exd 28:40; 29:9 it is the translation of a different Hebrew word (migba'ah), which denotes the turban (R.V., "head-tire") of the common priest as distinguished from the mitre of the high priest. (See MITRE T0002575.)

Q1. What did the mitre and golden plate look like?

A. The common priests and the High Priest all wore the mitre or turban. This was a long strip of linen material that they wrapped or wound around their head. The golden plate was a thin piece of metal that probably had silts in each end that a piece of blue ribbon went through and tied the plate to the other piece of ribbon and anchored or attached it to the mitre.

Q2. Which type of linen (shiny or dull and bumpy) was used for the common priest’s turban?

A. The priest’s turban is also made of the shining or brilliant white linen (SHD 8336). The turbans covered the priest’s head (see the paper White Linen Garments of the Priest (No. CB63)). We know from the lesson on white linen garments that the High Priest’s other dress was ^.bad linen (SHD 906), which is not the fine white shining linen, rather it is linen that means “separation”. This linen was used for the breeches, coat, and mitre of the High Priest (Lev. 6:10, 16:4, 23, 32; cf. 1Sam 2:18; 22:18 for the ephod also).

Q3. Could the High Priest or common priest just start putting the mitre or turban on?

A. No, they had to wash first. This is just like before we as adults can come into the Temple and start making sacrifices to God we need to be baptized. From our repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands we receive God’s Holy Spirit.

Leviticus 16:4 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. (KJV)

Q4. What was the significance of the colours?

A. From a quick review of the lesson on the ephod and curious girdle: the same colours that were used to make the tabernacle curtains were used, plus in the High Priest’s garments they wove gold wire in with the fabric.

Blue: We have learned about the significance of the colour blue representing the Law of God and the royal line of Christ as King. (This concept is further developed in Lesson: Law at our Doorposts (No. CB80).) We are to wear blue ribbons on the corners of our clothes.

White: As we have learned from the previous lessons in this series on the High Priest’s garments, the colour white represents our clean garments as we prepare ourselves to become the bride of Christ.

Gold: To these colours gold was added. In the Tabernacle in the Wilderness we see that the Ark of the Covenant located in the Holy of Holies was also gold. The Ark was where God’s presence was and was the receptacle of the Holy Spirit. As the High Priest symbolizes the living Temple that we are today, the gold represents the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in us. Pure gold is very expensive in a physical sense and priceless in the spiritual sense. Pure means clean, without any impurity of spirit. As gold is refined many times so too it is with us. We will have many trials until we become pure like God and His Law.

Q5. Why are we are commanded to buy gold and have a white garment?

A. Revelation 3:8: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Here we see Christ counselling or encouraging people to ask for and keep the Holy Spirit and their white robes from baptism. In order to be in the Family of God we must all repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and keep our robes white through obedience to God’s Law.

Q6. What things are more precious than gold?

A. 1Peter 1:7: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Job actually gives us an example of that. For more information see the paper the Story of Job (No. CB54).

Job 23:10: But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Pure (SGD 2513): "as being cleansed”;

Pure (SGD 1506): signifies "unalloyed, pure"; (a) it was used of unmixed substances; (b) in the NT it is used of moral and ethical "purity", Phl 1:10, "sincere"; so the RV in 2Pe 3:1 (AV, "pure").

Pure (SGD 53): purity, chastity, uprightness of life;

Pure (SGD 47): purity, sinlessness of life; where it denotes the chastity which excludes all impurity of spirit, manner, or act.

Gold is from SHD 2091: “zahab”.

It means 1) gold a) as precious metal b) as a measure of weight c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) it is from an unused word to mean shimmer.

We are to be like gold precious to God, the standard of one’s life by obeying God’s Law and being a shining example of how things should be.

The blue ribbon/law concept attached to the white turban/pure spotless person and then made them holy unto the Lord. That had the golden plate attached to it stating: “Holy unto the Lord”. What a beautiful thing to be said of any of us.

Q7. What is the meaning of the word Lord in Hebrew?

A. SHD 3068: Yahovah. From the BLB, Jehovah = "the existing One". We know from the texts at Elephantine that the base word was Yaho. There is no J in the Hebrew alphabet rather it was a Y.

Q8. How long was the linen that was wrapped on the High Priest’s head?

A. 8 yards of linen were used according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

Q9. Is it ever referred to as a crown?

A. Yes. Leviticus 8:9: And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, [even] upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Q10. Are priests required to wear the “crown”?

A. Yes (Ex. 29:6; 39:30; Lev 8:9).

Q11. Did Christ ever wear a crown?

A. Yes, he wore a crown of thorns (Mat 27:29; Mk. 15:17 ; Jn. 19:5). In these texts crown is SGD 4735.

SGD 4735: Stephanous; crown not used of the kingly crown but the crown of victory. 1) a crown a) a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank 1) the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games b) metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteous c) that which is an ornament and honour to one. For Synonyms see entry 5833. Used in Jas, 1:12; Rev. 2:10; 3:11; 4:10; 6:2: 14:14 and in other texts.

It is doubtful many of us have ever thought of Christ’s crown of thorns as a crown of victory or blessedness. It is because Christ willingly laid down his life for all of us and was totally obedient to God and that he was righteous to the point of death on the stake.

In Exodus 28 we again read about the High Priest’s turban and the golden plate. Here it is also mentioned that Aaron will bear the iniquity or sin. This is another example of how the High Priest pictures Christ who, by his sacrifice, is our High Priest now. (Messiah qualified to be our High Priest from Hebrews 1:8,9 and Psalm 45:6 and is now our High Priest as stated in Zech. 6:13.)

Exodus 28:36-38: On a narrow strip of pure gold engrave the words: " Dedicated to the LORD." 37 Fasten it to the front of Aaron's turban with a blue cord, 38 so he can wear it on his forehead. This will show that he will take on himself the guilt for any sins the people of Israel commit in offering their gifts to me, and I will forgive them. (CEV)

In the future Messiah will also have a crown (Rev 6:2; Rev 14:14; Rev. 19:12).

SGD 1238: diadem, which is used in Revelation 12:3; 13:1 and 19:12, means a white linen band encircling the brow to indicate the assumption of royal dignity. 1) a diadem a) a blue band marked with white which Persian kings used to bind on the turban or tiara b) the kingly ornament for the head, the crown.

It is interesting to note that Christ wears a simple “linen crown” in Revelation 19:12 that seems to relate to the priest wearing a linen turban or mitre. And in the above texts he also wears a gold crown that ties to victory and exalted or placed above others – as when he was anointed above his fellows (Heb. 1:8-9; Ps. 45:6-7). It is given to God’s servants who are righteous.

Q12. Who else wore a crown?

A. The 24 Elders (Rev 4:4,10); Satan (Rev 12:3); the Beast with 7 horns and to 10 horns (Rev. 13:1).

Q13. Will we ever receive a crown?

A. Yes, 2Timothy 4:8 talks of the crown of righteousness. The crown (SGD 4735) of life is spoken of in James 2:12 and Revelation 2:11. In Revelation 3:11, we are told to hold fast to what you have, in order that no one takes your crown. (SGD 4735) This is a crown of authority and of responsibility to God and the creation.

Q14. Why is there a golden plate engraved with “Holy unto the Lord” on the High Priest’s forehead?

A. It would appear the golden plate is the kingly, righteous crown that is pictured when Christ became the perfect sacrifice. Just as the Ten Commandments were engraved on the stones in the time of Moses, they now need to be engraved in our heart and mind. As we have said before, the blue represents the Law of God that binds all of us through God’s Holy Spirit to God and each other. God and His Law are holy, righteous, goodness, perfect and truth. By keeping God’s Laws we become like God, holy, righteous, goodness, perfect and truth. We all need to strive or try to become more like God each and every day.

Exodus 39:30-31: "Dedicated to the LORD" was engraved on a narrow strip of pure gold, 31 which was fastened to Aaron's turban. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses. (Contemporary English Version or CEV)

Q15. What is important about our forehead?

A. Our head contains our brain; our brain directs all our thoughts. The front part of our brain is what we use to make logical and thought-out decisions. (There are other parts of our brain that specialize or focus on seeing, hearing, balance, etc.) The plate is located over the cortex, or front brain where our thinking happens.

We are cautioned in Revelation 14:9 not to have the mark of the Beast on our forehead. With all things we either obey God’s Commandments or break them. When we break God’s Law we quench or stop God’s Holy Sprit from working easily in us. A false spirit of Satan fills the void or emptiness and we begin to think in a more Satanic-like or disobedient fashion. Actions start in our mind; we must always guard our mind and thoughts. 1Peter 5:8 tells us to continually, or always guard our mind since Satan as a roaring lion seeks to devour or destroy us. We will also get a new name written on our forehead (Rev. 3:12), if we are obedient to God and His Laws. From our lesson on the armour of God we will remember we are to always wear the helmet of salvation on our heads. Our salvation comes from being obedient or listening to God’s Laws.

Q16. Why are the priests told to cover their head and men are told not to cover their head?

A. Here we see Aaron and his sons were told to cover their heads. The High Priest’s head was not to be left uncovered. Yet, normally, men are to keep their head uncovered and women are the ones to cover their head (1Cor. 10:4-7). (For women the hair of their head acts as a covering and that is why women are not to cut their hair too short.) Men were not to shave their head (Lev. 21:5) except at the end of a Nazarite vow (Num. 6:18)). We also know the High Priest wore the golden plate engraved “Holy unto the Lord” on his forehead. The High Priest kept his head covered to symbolise Messiah being under the direct authority of God in the execution of his duties and in worship.

Activities:

Making crowns:

Have a few crowns done for a sample. There should be a template for the younger children to trace and cut. For the very young have their crown cut out so all they need to do is decorate the finished item. Once the crowns are finished have each child wear their crown and explain why they created it as they did.

Another option is have the children make a crown for their Mom or Dad and explain why they did the crown for their parents in that way.

Materials:

Assorted construction paper, glue, scissors, markers, glitter glue, coloured macaroni, pom poms etc. can be in the entire resource bag for use on the crowns. To create a more stable crown use tag board. In some craft stores you are even able to purchase gold tag board. Aluminium foil can also be used as well as metallic paint if a more metal type looking crown is preferred. The back of the crown can either be stapled or taped. The staples are more durable but should be covered with tape so it does not pull the child’s hair. Instead of using construction paper or tag board, foam sheets could also be used.

Close with prayer.

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