The head-dress of the high priest. It was made of fine linen: to it was fastened by a lace of blue “the plate of the holy crown of pure gold,” on which was engraved “Holiness to the Lord.” This plate came across the forehead. The miter was emblematical of the upholding of purity, righteousness and holiness by the Lord Jesus as the Minister of the sanctuary, or holy place (Ex. 28:4,37,39; Ex. 29:6; Ex. 39:28,31; Lev. 8:9; Lev. 16:4).
The word is mitsnepheth, and (translated “diadem”) occurs again in a remarkable reference to the “profane wicked prince of Israel,” which, though referring to the then king, Zedekiah, seems to point to the future Antichrist in conjunction with the Roman beast, for he is represented as wearing the mitre and the crown, which shall be removed. God will overturn, overturn, “until He come whose right it is: and I will give it Him” (Ezek. 21:25-27). With this agrees Isaiah 28:5: “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a mitre of beauty, unto the residue of his people” In Zechariah 3:1-8, where Joshua the high priest, as a representative of the people, is delivered from the resistance of Satan, and is cleansed, a fair miter (tsaniph, a kindred word to the above) is set upon his head, and he is clothed with garments. The Lord Jesus as the BRANCH comes forth, and blessing follows.