Lexical Summary
mitsnepheth: Turban, Headdress
Original Word:מִצְנֶפֶת
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:mitsnepheth
Pronunciation:mits-neh'-feth
Phonetic Spelling:(mits-neh'-feth)
KJV: diadem, mitre
NASB:turban
Word Origin:[fromH6801 (צָּנַף - attired)]
1. a tiara, i.e. official turban (of a king or high priest)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
diadem, mitre
Fromtsanaph; a tiara, i.e. Official turban (of a king or high priest) -- diadem, mitre.
see HEBREWtsanaph
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
tsanaphDefinitionturban (of the high priest)
NASB Translationturban (12).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute
Ezekiel 21:31,
Exodus 28:37;
Exodus 29:6; construct
Leviticus 16:4; —
turban of linen
Exodus 28:4,37 (twice in verse);
Exodus 28:39;
Exodus 29:6 (twice in verse);
Exodus 39:28,31;
Leviticus 8:9 (twice in verse);
Leviticus 16:4; sign of royalty
Ezekiel 21:31.
(√ of following; compare Samaritan
shut up orin, and perhaps Ethiopic
hedge about, PräBASi. 374; compare also Arabic
bind, restrain, straighten, Syriac
(in Lexicons; usuallythrow)).
Topical Lexicon
Object and FunctionThe מִצְנֶפֶת (mitznefet) is the distinctive turban or miter worn by Israel’s high priest, forming part of the divinely prescribed vestments that set him apart for service in the sanctuary. Wound from fine twisted linen, it enclosed the head, providing a dignified crown-like appearance while anchoring the gold plate engraved “Holy to the LORD.”
Biblical Occurrences
Twelve verses employ the term. Nine belong to the Exodus–Leviticus narrative of the tabernacle (Exodus 28:4, 28:37, 28:39; 29:6; 39:28, 39:31;Leviticus 8:9 twice; 16:4). The last appears inEzekiel 21:26. Each setting reinforces either the institution, implementation, or prophetic removal of the high-priestly headpiece.
Selected quotations:
•Exodus 28:37 – “Fasten it with a cord of blue, so that it may be placed on the turban; the front of the turban is to be toward the front.”
•Leviticus 8:9 – “He set the turban on his head, and attached the gold plate—the holy diadem—to the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded Moses.”
•Ezekiel 21:26 – “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Remove the turban and take off the crown…’”
Materials and Craftsmanship
Crafted from “fine linen” (Exodus 28:39; 39:28), the turban exemplifies purity, radiance, and skillful work “of a weaver.” Linen’s whiteness visually separated the high priest from common service, while its cool texture served the practical need for comfort in the desert climate. The plate of pure gold, suspended by a blue cord, announced holiness and connected the headpiece to the heavenly hue that permeated the sanctuary curtains.
Priestly Symbolism
1. Holiness: The engraving “Holy to the LORD” rested upon the forehead, signifying that the high priest represented the nation in a state of consecrated acceptance (Exodus 28:38).
2. Mediation: By bearing the iniquity of the holy things, the wearer carried Israel’s worship into divine presence.
3. Authority: The union of white linen (purity) and gold (royal splendor) crowned the high priest with both moral and regal dignity, foreshadowing the union of priesthood and kingship ultimately realized in Jesus Christ.
Consecration and Service
During the seven-day ordination (Leviticus 8) Moses placed the turban on Aaron only after donning the tunic, robe, ephod, and breastpiece, highlighting its climactic importance. Without it, the high priest could not enter the Holy Place, for the uncovered head signaled incomplete sanctification.
Day of Atonement
On Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16:4) the high priest exchanged his ornate garments for simpler “holy linen garments.” Even then the linen turban remained essential, reminding Israel that atonement hinges on holiness rather than outward splendor.
Prophetic Imagery
Ezekiel’s oracle against the prince of Judah declares, “Remove the turban and take off the crown” (Ezekiel 21:26). The simultaneous loss of priestly turban and royal crown portrays total judgment; priesthood and kingship would be suspended until the One came “whose right it is” (verse 27).
Messianic Fulfillment
Hebrews presents Jesus as the true High Priest who “has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Though the earthly mitznefet crowned Aaron, Jesus bears the eternal title of holiness, needing no engraved plate. In His passion the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns, a cruel counterfeit, yet through resurrection He now wears many diadems (Revelation 19:12), uniting priestly purity and royal sovereignty foreshadowed by the turban.
Devotional Insights
• Holiness is foundational: Like the plate on the turban, the believer’s mind is to be continuously marked “Holy to the LORD” (Romans 12:1-2).
• Intercession continues: The high priest carried Israel’s guilt; Christ “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).
• Authority under submission: The mitznefet crowned the head yet required obedience to divine design. Spiritual authority today grows only under submission to God’s Word.
The mitznefet stands as a vivid testimony to God’s demand for holiness, His provision of a mediator, and His ultimate plan to crown His people with the righteousness secured by the Great High Priest.
Forms and Transliterations
הַמִּצְנֶ֔פֶת הַמִּצְנֶ֖פֶת הַמִּצְנֶ֜פֶת הַמִּצְנֶ֣פֶת הַמִּצְנָ֑פֶת הַמִּצְנָֽפֶת׃ המצנפת המצנפת׃ וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת ובמצנפת מִצְנֶ֣פֶת מצנפת ham·miṣ·nā·p̄eṯ ham·miṣ·ne·p̄eṯ hammiṣnāp̄eṯ hammiṣnep̄eṯ hammitzNafet hammitzNefet miṣ·ne·p̄eṯ miṣnep̄eṯ mitzNefet ū·ḇə·miṣ·ne·p̄eṯ ūḇəmiṣnep̄eṯ uvemitzNefet
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