Fringes
“Tassel, lock of hair”
Summary
Tassels worn by Israelites on the four corners of their garments as reminders of God's commandments, later enlarged ostentatiously by the Pharisees.
☩Biblical Command
The Israelites were commanded to make fringes (Hebrew: tsitsith, 'tassel') on the four corners of their garments, with a thread of blue in each tassel (Numbers 15:37-41, Deuteronomy 22:12). These were attached to the quadrangular outer cloak worn like a pallium. The purpose was clearly stated: 'that ye may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them.' The sky-blue thread would be constantly before their eyes as a reminder of God's heavenly commandments.
☩Jewish Practice
Jewish tradition developed precise prescriptions for making the tassels. Each tassel had four cords passed through an eyelet at the corner, one longer cord wrapped around the others in specific patterns of windings and knots. The numbers were given symbolic meaning relating to the divine name. Later Jews, after adopting Diaspora garments, wore two special fringed garments: the large talith (prayer shawl) and the small talith as an undergarment.
☩New Testament References
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for enlarging their fringes to gain a reputation for piety (Matthew 23:5). The woman with the issue of blood touched 'the hem' (border with fringe) of Christ's garment, believing she would be healed through contact with this sacred part of His clothing. This indicates that even in Jesus' day, a certain sanctity was attributed to the fringes.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Fringes," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Fringes," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.Edwin W. Rice, "Fringes," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).