Exodus 28:36

A plate. This was the most conspicuous and significant feature of the “mitre” (verse 37). It was placed directly in front, over the forehead, and so attracted universal attention, more so perhaps than even the breastplate. Its position made it “the culminating point of the whole priestly attire.” This position was given added force and meaning by the inscription it bore, “Holiness to the Lord.” This engraving gave to the people the highest conception of religion and pointed to its supreme objective (Leviticus 11:44, 45; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15, 16). It was a constant reminder that, without this essential, all the exercises of worship would in God’s sight be mockery (see Isaiah 1:11-17). As to the high priest, it instructed him that his ministration was not to become a mere form, but that its objective was the consecration of his own life and the lives of the people. This is a most important lesson for ministers of God today (Isaiah 52:11; 1 Peter 5:2, 3). Those ministers who fail so to live and conduct themselves are under the most severe condemnation of Heaven (1 Samuel 2:12-36; 3:11-14; 4:11; Malachi 2:1-9). The importance of the inscription upon the miter explains why it is mentioned even before the miter itself.