Attached to the turban was its most prominent feature—the plate. It was engraved and fastened to the turban with a blue sash. The design of the golden plate was given in Exodus 28:36 – 38.
Because of its prominence, the plate of the holy crown was a very important item that the priest wore on his head.
It was made of pure gold, stressing purity and value. It was inscribed similar to engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” These words were a prominent display of the fact that the high priest is set apart (the meaning of “holy”) for a special purpose, in this case the representation of the people before the LORD. Also, the craftsmen fastened a blue cord to it. The purpose of the “blue cord” was to fasten it on the turban above.
Once again, the Israelites did all of this just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
The golden plate with the words “Holy to the LORD” was a message to all of the people of what the LORD required of them, especially their spiritual leaders. Israel was called to be a holy people, set apart and dedicated for God’s purpose (Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6). A primary purpose was to be a priestly nation, to demonstrate the superiority of a self-governing society based on rule of law and love of neighbor (Exodus 19:6). This was repeated in the New Testament. Ephesians 1:4 says New Testament believers were chosen to be holy and blameless before God. I Pet. 1:15f also admonishes believers to be holy, as God is holy. Peter actually quotes Leviticus in Pet. 1:15 of his letter, demonstrating that these Old Testament principles are still relevant today.
Biblical Text:
30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” 31 They fastened a blue cord to it, to fasten it on the turban above, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
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