The term "mitre" refers to a specific piece of ceremonial headgear worn by the high priest in ancient Israel, as described in the Old Testament. The mitre is an integral part of the priestly garments, symbolizing holiness and the authority bestowed upon the high priest by God.

Biblical Description and Significance

The mitre is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments for the priests. In Exodus 28:4, the mitre is listed among the sacred garments: "These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests."

The mitre, also referred to as a "turban" in some translations, is described further in Exodus 28:36-38: "You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten it to a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. And it will be on Aaron’s forehead, so that Aaron may bear the guilt of the holy things that the Israelites consecrate as all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may find favor before the LORD."

The golden plate inscribed with "HOLY TO THE LORD" signifies the consecration of the high priest to God’s service. The mitre, therefore, is not merely a decorative item but a symbol of the high priest's role as an intermediary between God and the people of Israel. It represents the holiness required of those who approach God on behalf of the nation.

Cultural and Religious Context

In the context of ancient Israelite religion, the high priest held a unique position, serving as the chief religious leader and the primary officiant in the sacrificial system. The mitre, along with the other priestly garments, set the high priest apart from the rest of the community, underscoring the sanctity and responsibility of his office.

The high priest's attire, including the mitre, was designed to reflect the glory and beauty of God (Exodus 28:2). The garments served as a constant reminder of the divine calling and the need for purity and dedication in the service of the Lord.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The mitre's inscription, "HOLY TO THE LORD," encapsulates the theological principle that holiness is central to the relationship between God and His people. The high priest, as a representative of the people, bore this holiness on his forehead, signifying the need for atonement and sanctification.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of holiness is a recurring theme, emphasizing the separation of the sacred from the profane and the call for God’s people to be set apart for His purposes. The mitre, therefore, is a tangible representation of this divine mandate.

New Testament Reflection

While the New Testament does not specifically mention the mitre, the imagery of priestly garments and the concept of holiness continue to resonate. In the Book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate High Priest, who surpasses the Levitical priesthood and offers a perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:26-28). The mitre, as part of the high priestly attire, foreshadows the perfect holiness and mediatorial role of Christ.

In summary, the mitre is a significant element of the high priest's garments, rich in symbolism and theological meaning. It underscores the themes of holiness, consecration, and the unique role of the high priest in the religious life of Israel, pointing ultimately to the fulfillment of these themes in the person and work of Jesus Christ.(Hebrews mitsnepheth), something rolled round the head; the turban or head-dress of the high priest (Exodus 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6, etc.). In the Authorized Version of Ezek. 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 (Leviticus 8:9; 16:4; Zechariah 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.) 1. (n.) A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by church dignitaries. It has been made in many forms, the present form being a lofty cap with two points or peaks.

2. (n.) The surface forming the beveled end or edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or a junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter joint.

3. (n.) A sort of base money or coin.

4. (v. t.) To place a miter upon; to adorn with a miter.

5. (v. t.) To match together, as two pieces of molding or brass rule on a line bisecting the angle of junction; to bevel the ends or edges of, for the purpose of matching together at an angle.

6. (v. i.) To meet and match together, as two pieces of molding, on a line bisecting the angle of junction.

7. (n. & v.) See Miter.

MITRE

mi'-ter In the King James Version this word renders two Hebrew words, both of which, however, come from the same stem, namely, tsanaph, "to coil" or "to wrap round." In Exodus 28, a mitre (the Revised Version margin "turban") is enumerated among Aaron's articles of dress, which were to be made by tailors of recognized skill. On the forefront of the mitre was a "plate of pure gold" with the words "Holy to Yahweh" (i.e. consecrated to Yahweh) inscribed upon it. This gold plate was fastened to the mitre by a blue ribbon. The material of the mitre was fine linen or silk. The word for the headtire (the King James Version "bonnet") of the ordinary priest was a different word. Ezekiel uses the word in connection with Zedekiah (21:26); the prophet associated regal and priestly functions with the throne. It is possible, however, that the two sentences-"remove the mitre," and "take off the crown"-refer to the degradation of the priesthood and of the throne which the downfall of Jerusalem will involve. The Septuagint varies between kidaris and mitra, the former word being used in Sirach 45:12.

T. Lawns

6797. tsaniph -- a turban
... turban. Word Origin from tsanaph Definition a turban NASB Word Usage diadem
(1), turban (3), turbans (1). diadem, hood, mitre. Or ...
/hebrew/6797.htm - 6k

4701. mitsnepheth -- turban (of the high priest)
... diadem, mitre. From tsanaph; a tiara, ie Official turban (of a king or high priest) --
diadem, mitre. see HEBREW tsanaph. 4700, 4701. mitsnepheth. 4702 . ...
/hebrew/4701.htm - 6k

Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
... In his mitre was a thin plate of gold on which was written, 'Holiness to the Lord.'
The second of them comes from almost the last portion recorded of the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture k/three inscriptions with one meaning.htm

Whether the Vestments of the Ministers are Fittingly Instituted in ...
... Bishops have nine ornaments besides those which the priest has; these are the
"stockings, sandals, succinctory, tunic, dalmatic, mitre, gloves, ring, and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the vestments of the.htm

Antichrist in Ezekiel
... O deadly wounded Wicked One, the Prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time
of the iniquity of the end; thus saith the Lord: remove the mitre, and take ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/3 antichrist in ezekiel.htm

Of the Priesthood of Jesus Foretold by the Prophets.
... stood around before His face, saying, Take away the filthy garments from Him, and
clothe Him with a flowing [649] garment, and place a fair mitre [650] upon ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the priesthood of.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment.5. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

Change of Raiment
... And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre
upon his head, and clothed him with garments.""Zechariah 3:4, 5. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/change of raiment.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... Consecration like necessity brings strange bedfellows, and plain, cheap-habited
Hugh, by gaudily trimmed William in his jewelled mitre, must have raised a few ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
... Saviour. Further, the broad gold mitre indicates the regal power of the
Lord, "since the Head of the Church" is the Savour. [3030 ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the mystic meaning of.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... I had a mitre once," said Adam, "for I was a priest to God, and ofttimes in the
morning did I climb the hills, and sing sweet orisons of praise to him that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

High Priest
... was a winged scarabaeus, the emblem of the Sun, and the unavoidable portion of the
ceremonial dress peculiar to the high priest was the miter, mitre or Cidaris ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Mitre (10 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/m/mitre.htm - 12k

Forefront (11 Occurrences)
... of panim, "face" (2 Kings 16:14 Ezekiel 40:19; Ezekiel 47:1); of mul panim, "over
against the face" (Exodus 26:9 Leviticus 8:9, "And he put the mitre upon his ...
/f/forefront.htm - 11k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:37 and thou hast put it on a blue ribbon, and it hath been on the
mitre -- over-against the front of the mitre it is; (YLT). ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Thread (32 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Exodus 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be
upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. (See JPS). ...
/t/thread.htm - 16k

Tunic (24 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and
an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a mitre, and a girdle: and ...
/t/tunic.htm - 13k

Ribbon (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 28:37 and thou hast put it on a blue ribbon, and it hath been on
the mitre -- over-against the front of the mitre it is; (YLT). ...
/r/ribbon.htm - 9k

Diadem (9 Occurrences)
... The word is also rendered "hood," "mitre." Job 29:14: "My justice was as a robe
and a diadem" (RVm, "turban"); Isaiah 62:3: "a royal diadem in the hand of thy ...
/d/diadem.htm - 11k

Bonnet (1 Occurrence)
... the translation of a different Hebrew word (migba'ah), which denotes the turban
(RV, "head-tire") of the common priest as distinguished from the mitre of the ...
/b/bonnet.htm - 10k

Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/g/girdle.htm - 24k

Embroidered (26 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:4 And these 'are' the garments which they make: a breastplate, and an
ephod, and an upper robe, and an embroidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle; yea ...
/e/embroidered.htm - 14k

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