According to Exodus 28, what was engraved on the high priest’s forehead plate?

According to Exodus 28, the high priest’s forehead plate was engraved with the words “Holy to the LORD.”

The plate was part of the sacred clothing prescribed for Aaron, Israel’s first high priest, and his descendants who served in the priesthood. It was made of pure gold and fastened to the front of the high priest’s turban with a blue cord.

The inscription expressed the consecrated status of the priest and his representative role before God. Exodus says Aaron was to wear it on his forehead so that the Israelites’ holy offerings might be accepted.

This inscription is different from the names of the twelve tribes engraved on the high priest’s shoulder stones and breastpiece. Those names represented Israel, while the forehead plate carried the declaration of holiness.