Phylactery

/fil-AK-ter-ee/

Summary

Phylacteries were small leather boxes containing Scripture passages, worn on the forehead and left arm during prayer in literal fulfillment of Mosaic commands.

☩Description and Contents

Phylacteries (Hebrew tefillin) were small leather cases containing parchment inscribed with four Scripture passages: Exodus 13:1-10, Exodus 13:11-16, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. One was bound to the forehead between the eyes, another to the left arm near the heart. This practice derived from literal interpretation of the command to bind God's words 'as a sign on your hand' and 'as frontlets between your eyes.'

Key verses:Exodus 13:9Exodus 13:16Deuteronomy 6:8Deuteronomy 11:18

☩Jesus' Criticism

Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees for making their phylacteries broad—enlarging them to appear more pious than others. This was part of a broader pattern of doing religious acts 'to be seen by men' rather than from sincere devotion to God.

Key verses:Matthew 23:5

Related Verses4 mentions

Exodus· 2 verses

13:9 13:16

Deuteronomy· 1 verse

11:18

Matthew· 1 verse

23:5

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Phylactery," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).