Put the turban on his headThe turban, or "mitre," was a significant part of the high priest's attire, symbolizing his consecration and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, head coverings often denoted status and role. The high priest's turban was distinct, setting him apart for his sacred duties. This act of placing the turban on Aaron's head was part of the ordination process, signifying his readiness to serve as a mediator between God and the Israelites. The turban's placement on the head, the seat of thought and decision-making, underscores the importance of purity and holiness in leadership.
and attach the holy diadem to the turban
The holy diadem, or "plate," was a gold plate inscribed with "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36). This inscription served as a constant reminder of the high priest's role in maintaining the sanctity of the worship and the people. The diadem's attachment to the turban signifies the inseparable nature of holiness and leadership. This imagery foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect holiness and intercession. The diadem's presence on the forehead, visible to all, emphasizes the public nature of the priest's dedication to God, paralleling the call for believers to live visibly holy lives.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who is instructed by God to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests.
2.
AaronThe brother of Moses, chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel.
3.
The TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence, where the consecration of the priests takes place.
4.
The TurbanA part of the high priest's garments, symbolizing holiness and dedication to God.
5.
The Holy DiademA sacred emblem attached to the turban, representing the holiness and authority of the high priest.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of the Turban and DiademThe turban and diadem symbolize the holiness and authority bestowed upon the high priest. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and authority.
Holiness in LeadershipAaron's consecration as high priest underscores the importance of holiness in spiritual leadership. Leaders in the church today are called to uphold a standard of holiness and integrity.
Christ as Our High PriestThe high priest's role in the Old Testament foreshadows Christ's ultimate priesthood. Jesus intercedes for us, and through Him, we have direct access to God.
Priesthood of BelieversAs Christians, we are called to be a royal priesthood, set apart for God's purposes. This involves living lives that are distinct and dedicated to serving God and others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 29:6?
2.How does Exodus 29:6 emphasize the significance of the priestly consecration process?
3.What is the symbolic meaning of the "turban" and "holy diadem" in Exodus 29:6?
4.How does Exodus 29:6 connect to the New Testament concept of spiritual leadership?
5.In what ways can we apply the principles of Exodus 29:6 today?
6.How does Exodus 29:6 reflect God's holiness and expectations for His servants?
7.What is the significance of the turban and diadem in Exodus 29:6?
8.How does Exodus 29:6 relate to the concept of priesthood in Christianity?
9.Why was the consecration of priests important in Exodus 29:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 29?
11.What did Jesus mean by 'prayer and fasting'?
12.Does God desire sacrifices? (Hosea 6:6 vs. Exodus 29:18)
13.Is there any historical record or physical evidence (Exodus 29:1-9) that the elaborate priestly garments and ordination ceremonies described actually took place as written?
14.Who was the high priest in the Bible?What Does Exodus 29:6 Mean
Put the turbanExodus 29:6 opens with a practical instruction: “Put the turban...” The turban (or “mitre”) formed part of the high priest’s distinctive attire (Exodus 28:4). Its placement signaled readiness for sacred service.
•Exodus 28:40 notes that priests wore head coverings “for glory and for beauty,” underscoring God-given dignity.
•Leviticus 8:9 records Moses following the same procedure during Aaron’s consecration, confirming that this was not symbolic only; it was a literal step in preparing the high priest.
•Zechariah 3:5 portrays Joshua the high priest receiving a “clean turban,” illustrating how God uses tangible garments to declare forgiveness and restoration.
on his headThe phrase continues, specifying location: “on his head.” Scripture frequently links the head with authority and identification.
•Psalm 133:2 describes oil running “down upon the beard of Aaron,” showing that anointing and head covering together mark leadership.
•Exodus 29:7—immediately following our verse—adds the anointing oil on the head, highlighting consecration from the top down.
•Ephesians 1:22 states that the Father “placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything,” foreshadowed here as the high priest’s head carries visible tokens of God’s calling.
attach the holy diademThe next directive introduces a second article: “and attach the holy diadem...” This diadem was a small gold plate engraved “Holy to the LORD” (Exodus 28:36).
•Exodus 28:38 states it “will be on Aaron’s forehead so that Aaron may bear the guilt connected with the sacred gifts,” revealing its role in mediating holiness.
•Isaiah 61:10 celebrates God clothing His people “with garments of salvation” and a “diadem” like a bridegroom, mirroring the priestly adornment that points forward to Christ’s righteousness.
•Hebrews 7:26 describes Jesus as “holy, innocent, undefiled,” the ultimate fulfillment of the priest who carries holiness before God.
to the turbanFinally, the diadem is fixed “to the turban.” God fuses the symbols of service (turban) and holiness (diadem), ensuring they never appear separately.
•Leviticus 16:4 ties together linen garments and a headpiece when Aaron enters the Most Holy Place, reinforcing that purity and service are inseparable.
•Revelation 14:14 pictures the Son of Man wearing “a golden crown,” blending kingship and priesthood just as the diadem crowns the turban.
•1 Peter 2:9 reminds believers they are “a royal priesthood,” showing that in Christ the call to serve and the call to be holy remain permanently linked.
summaryExodus 29:6 details a literal act in Aaron’s consecration: the turban placed on his head, then crowned with the holy diadem. Each movement speaks of divine dignity, headship, holiness, and the inseparable bond between service and sanctity. The verse points beyond Aaron to the perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who embodies flawless holiness while bearing His people before the Father and invites every redeemed believer to walk in the same union of consecrated service and set-apart life.
(6)
The holy crown.--The golden plate, inscribed with "Holiness to the Lord," and attached to the mitre by a lace or riband, resembled the "diadems" worn in the East by monarchs, and regarded as the main emblem of their sovereignty. In Egypt, such a diadem is found first in the reign of Amenophis IV. (Khuenaten), the ninth king of the eighteenth dynasty. The assignment of a crown to the high priest gave him that quasi-royal dignity which marked him as a type of our Lord in His threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King.
Verse 6. -
The holy crown. The plate of gold with its blue ribbon, or lace, formed a species of diadem, such as in the East seems to have been always regarded as the special emblem of royalty. An ornament of the kind seems to have been introduced into Egypt by Khuenaten or Amenophis IV. It marked the royal character of the high priest, who, as the main type of Christ in the Mosaic law, was bound to be "Prophet, Priest, and King." (Compare
Leviticus 8:9.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Putוְשַׂמְתָּ֥(wə·śam·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, setthe turbanהַמִּצְנֶ֖פֶת(ham·miṣ·ne·p̄eṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4701:Turban (of the high priest)onעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsthis headרֹאשׁ֑וֹ(rō·šōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218:The headand attachוְנָתַתָּ֛(wə·nā·ṯa·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setthe holyהַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ(haq·qō·ḏeš)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctitydiademנֵ֥זֶר(nê·zer)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5145:Something set apart, dedication, unshorn locks, a chaplettoעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe turban.הַמִּצְנָֽפֶת׃(ham·miṣ·nā·p̄eṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4701:Turban (of the high priest)
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OT Law: Exodus 29:6 And you shall set the turban (Exo. Ex)