He set: the verb is used twice in the verse at hand. This may be imitated if the style of the receptor language permits such repetition, and if the same verb is suitable for both actions. Otherwise the meaning may be conveyed quite naturally by structuring the verse in such a way as to translate this verb only once, or to use two separate verbs for the two different objects.
The turban: mentioned in Exodus 28.4, 39; 39.28; Leviticus 16.4, but no detailed description is given. This headdress was a piece of material wrapped around the head, but it may have been wound permanently and taken on and off like a hat. In some languages there may be a very general word covering anything worn on the head. If such a term is used, it may be helpful to include a footnote explaining that such a headpiece symbolized the authority of the High Priest. In some languages the translation may be more detailed, such as “a covering made of cloth and wrapped around the head.”
The golden plate: the word translated plate here may mean “blossom” or “flower” as in Numbers 17.8 (verse 23 in Hebrew), or “a shining thing.” Used with the qualifying word golden, it is taken by many English versions in the sense of plate. Bible en français courant, however, translates “a golden jewel in the form of a flower.” New Jerusalem Bible has simply “the golden flower.” In any case, these words are in apposition with the expression that follows and are explained by these words.
The holy crown: this was clearly not a crown in the sense of a sign of royalty. The word translated crown may also mean “consecration,” and the whole expression probably indicates that the golden plate was a symbol of the High Priest’s dedication to God. It has been suggested that the meaning of this phrase may be rendered by an expression like “a sign showing that Aaron was given over to (or, consecrated to) God.” Another possible model for translating these two expressions (the golden plate, the holy crown) may be “a golden object showing that he was dedicated to God.”
As the LORD commanded Moses: it is most probable that this refers to all the actions mentioned above and not just to the last phrase.
Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .