Original Word: צָנִיף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tsaniyph
Pronunciation: tsaw-neef'
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-neef')
KJV: diadem, hood, mitre
NASB: turban, diadem, turbans
Word Origin: [from H6801 (צָּנַף - attired)]

1. a head-dress (i.e. piece of cloth wrapped around)

diadem, hood, mitre

Or tsanowph {tsaw-nofe'}; or (feminine) tsaniyphah {tsaw-nee-faw'}; from tsanaph; a head-dress (i.e. Piece of cloth wrapped around) -- diadem, hood, mitre.

see HEBREW tsanaph

Word Origin
from tsanaph
Definition
a turban
NASB Translation
diadem (1), turban (3), turbans (1).

צָנִיף noun masculine^{Zechariah 3:5} turban; — absolute ׳צ Zechariah 3:5 (twice in verse) (for high priest) and (figurative of righteousness) Job 29:14; construct צְנִיף מְלוּכָה Isaiah 62:3 Qr royal turban (Kt צנוף); plural הַצְּנִיפוֺת Isaiah 3:23 (of women's turbans).

Meaning and Imagery

צָנִיף (tsaniph) denotes a wrapped head-piece—variously rendered turban, diadem, or tiara—symbolizing dignity, authority, and honor. The act of wrapping cloth around the head created a distinguishing sign of status; thus Scripture employs the term both literally (as physical attire) and figuratively (as a picture of righteousness or restored glory).

Occurrences and Contexts

• Job 29:14 sets the keynote for metaphorical usage: “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and turban”. Job’s personal integrity is depicted as an ornamental tsaniph crowning his life.
• Isaiah 3:23 lists the tsaniph among the luxuries stripped from proud daughters of Zion, showing that God removes counterfeit glory when judgment falls.
• Isaiah 62:3 turns the image into a promise for Zion: “You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem in the palm of your God”. Here the restored nation itself becomes the tsaniph, lifted high by the Lord.
• Zechariah 3:5 (twice) records the re-clothing of Joshua the high priest: “Let them put a clean turban on his head… while the Angel of the LORD was standing by”. The clean tsaniph seals Joshua’s acquittal and recommissioning.

Historical Background of Ancient Headgear

In the Ancient Near East, ruling figures, priests, and the socially prominent wore elaborately wound turbans or diadems. Materials ranged from simple linen to finely embroidered cloth and even ornamented bands inset with precious metals. The tsaniph signaled rank—much as the priestly מִצְנֶפֶת (mitznefet) did in Exodus 28—yet it also functioned ceremonially, indicating that the wearer was set apart for a sacred or official purpose.

Theological Significance

1. Righteousness and Justice: Job 29:14 equates a life of equity with the glory of a tsaniph. Right living is not an optional accessory but the believer’s visible insignia (cf. James 2:18).
2. Divine Reversal: Isaiah 3 and Isaiah 62 showcase judgment and restoration. God removes the proud turban of self-exaltation, then sets a royal diadem of His own making on the humbled remnant (cf. 1 Peter 5:6).
3. Priestly Cleansing: In Zechariah 3, the clean turban crowns pardon. The scene foreshadows the once-for-all cleansing secured by the High Priest Jesus Christ, who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).
4. Eschatological Hope: Isaiah 62 anticipates the consummated kingdom when Zion’s glory is publicly displayed. Revelation 19:12 presents Christ with “many crowns,” the ultimate fulfillment of every Scriptural diadem image.

Prophetic and Messianic Insights

The tsaniph on Joshua the high priest points beyond post-exilic Jerusalem to the Messiah who bears both priestly and royal honor (Psalm 110:4; Zechariah 6:12-13). The transfer from filthy garments to a clean turban illustrates imputed righteousness—God’s initiative in clothing repentant sinners with salvation (Isaiah 61:10).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Spiritual Leaders: As Joshua’s experience shows, renewed holiness is prerequisite to service. Leaders today must seek continual cleansing and publicly bear the “turban” of integrity (Titus 2:7-8).
• Corporate Identity: Isaiah 62:3 encourages congregations to see themselves as God’s diadem—precious, protected, and intended for display. This perspective fuels mission and worship.
• Personal Discipleship: The tsaniph metaphor exhorts believers to guard their thought life. Just as a turban encircles the head, so should godly wisdom and the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17) surround the mind.

Summary

צָנִיף embodies the biblical theme of honor bestowed by God. Whether adorning Job’s conscience, Zion’s destiny, or Joshua’s restored priesthood, the turban/diadem portrays righteousness granted, authority confirmed, and glory anticipated. Believers, individually and corporately, are called to wear this grace-garment with humility and bold witness until the day Christ crowns His people with everlasting splendor.

הַצָּנִ֨יף הצניף וְ֝צָנִ֗יף וְהַצְּנִיפ֖וֹת וּצְנִ֥יף והצניפות וצניף צָנִ֥יף צניף haṣ·ṣā·nîp̄ haṣṣānîp̄ hatztzaNif ṣā·nîp̄ ṣānîp̄ tzaNif ū·ṣə·nîp̄ ūṣənîp̄ utzeNif vehatztzeniFot vetzaNif wə·haṣ·ṣə·nî·p̄ō·wṯ wə·ṣā·nîp̄ wəhaṣṣənîp̄ōwṯ wəṣānîp̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts