Deuteronomy 22:12
“You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This command for fringes isn't just about outward appearance; it's a deeply personal, constant reminder that God's presence and commands are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. The phrasing "with which you cover yourself" emphasizes that this reminder should be intimate, a private acknowledgment of God before it's a public display.
This verse is part of a series of laws in Deuteronomy meant to help Israel live as a distinct people, set apart for God. It immediately follows instructions prohibiting cross-dressing, emphasizing that even everyday matters like clothing should reflect obedience and purity. The commandment for fringes serves as a visual reminder to keep God's commands, distinguishing Israel from other nations and prompting them to live holy lives.
Ever feel like faith is just something you do on Sundays? This ancient command suggests God wanted His people to remember Him all week long, even in the everyday details.
The command to wear fringes, or tassels, on the corners of their garments wasn't just about fashion. It was a constant, visible reminder of God's presence and His laws.
God cares about the big doctrines, but He also cares about the small stuff. This verse shows how even our clothing can be part of a life lived for Him.
The laws in Deuteronomy often reveal God's deep concern for the practical, everyday lives of His people. The command for fringes is part of a larger section of laws aimed at promoting holiness and distinctiveness.
Understand the original words
gedilim · Hebrew Noun
Ritual fringes attached to the corners of garments to serve as a constant physical reminder to obey God's commandments and remain holy. They represent the wearer's identity as set apart for the Lord.
This passage directly commands the making of fringes (or tassels) on garments, explicitly stating their purpose is to remind the people to obey God's commands.
Matthew 9:20Here, a woman touched the fringe of Jesus' garment, showing how these tassels were a visible and tangible part of Jewish identity and devotion.
Matthew 23:5This passage critiques the Pharisees for making their fringes overly large, highlighting that the tassels were meant to be a visible marker of obedience, not a display of religious pride.
John 19:23-24The soldiers casting lots for Jesus' tunic without seams alludes to the importance of the garment itself, underscoring the significance of clothing as mentioned in this commandment.
gillDeuteronomy 22:12: "Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself."
Thou shalt make thee fringes,.... Though a different word is here used from that in Numbers 15:38 , yet the same things are intended, and Onkelos translates both by one and the same word, and which is no other than a corruption of the Greek word used in Matthew 23:5 . Though there have been some, whom Aben Ezra takes notice of, who supposed that this is a law by itself, and…
ellicottDeuteronomy 22:12: "Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself."
(12) Thou shalt make thee fringes. —See Numbers 16:32-41 for the origin of this requirement. We may call this fringe (or κράςπεδον , Greek) on the four sides of the square shawl or mantle, a mourning for the one man who was executed for sabbath breaking in the wilderness, as well as a reminder to Israel to do all the commandments and be holy unto their God. Of this κράςπεδον…
This command for fringes isn't just about outward appearance; it's a deeply personal, constant reminder that God's presence and commands are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. The phrasing "with which you cover yourself" emphasizes that this reminder should be intimate, a private acknowledgment of God before it's a public display.
This verse is part of a series of laws in Deuteronomy meant to help Israel live as a distinct people, set apart for God. It immediately follows instructions prohibiting cross-dressing, emphasizing that even everyday matters like clothing should reflect obedience and purity. The commandment for fringes serves as a visual reminder to keep God's commands, distinguishing Israel from other nations and prompting them to live holy lives.
This verse is part of a series of laws in Deuteronomy meant to help Israel live as a distinct people, set apart for God. It immediately follows instructions prohibiting cross-dressing, emphasizing that even everyday matters like clothing should reflect obedience and purity. The commandment for fringes serves as a visual reminder to keep God's commands, distinguishing Israel from other nations and prompting them to live holy lives.
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"“You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself." — This command for fringes isn't just about outward appearance; it's a deeply personal, constant reminder that God's presence and commands are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. The phrasing…
