The Real Meaning of ‘Crown’ in Biblical Hebrew

One of the most sacred garments which became a symbol of the High Priest in the Temple was the Holy Crown, which was placed on his head, as written in the Bible:

“And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban.” (Exodus 29:6)

In the original Hebrew, the term ‘Holy Crown’ is ‘Nezer Ha-kodesh’. {נזר הקודש} The Hebrew word ‘Nezer’ {נזר} was translated as ‘crown’ in English.

Interestingly, the word ‘Nezer’ is used once more in the Jewish tradition in the well-known Hebrew phrase ‘Nezer Ha-bree’ha’ {נזר הבריאה} – which means ‘Crown of the Creation’ and refers to the creation of man as found in the book of Genesis.

The meaning of the Hebrew word ‘Nezer’ is much deeper than simply ‘a crown’ – it symbolizes the most precious thing.