Numbers 15:38 "Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

◄ Numbers 15:38 ►

New International Version
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

New Living Translation
“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.

English Standard Version
“Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner.

Berean Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

King James Bible
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

New King James Version
“Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.

New American Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a violet thread.

NASB 1995
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

NASB 1977
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

Amplified Bible
“Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them to make for themselves tassels on the hems of their garments throughout their generations, and put a cord of blue on the tassel of each hem.

Christian Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner.

American Standard Version
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of each border a cord of blue:

Contemporary English Version
to say to the people of Israel, "Sew tassels onto the bottom edge of your clothes and tie a blue string to each tassel.

English Revised Version
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of each border a cord of blue:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Speak to the Israelites and tell them: For generations to come they must wear tassels on the corners of their clothes with violet threads in each tassel.

Good News Translation
to say to the people of Israel: "Make tassels on the corners of your garments and put a blue cord on each tassel. You are to do this for all time to come.

International Standard Version
"Tell the Israelis that they are to make tassels at the edges of their garments throughout their generations and that they are to put a violet cord on the tassels at the edges of their garments.

Majority Standard Bible
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

NET Bible
"Speak to the Israelites and tell them to make tassels for themselves on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and put a blue thread on the tassel of the corners.

New Heart English Bible
"Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue:

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribin of blue:

World English Bible
“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you have commanded to them, and they have made fringes on the skirts of their garments for themselves, throughout their generations, and they have put a ribbon of blue on the fringe of the skirt,

Young's Literal Translation
'Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou hast said unto them, and they have made for themselves fringes on the skirts of their garments, to their generations, and they have put on the fringe of the skirt a ribbon of blue,

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, They made to them fringes of flowers upon the wings of their garment for their generations; and they gave upon the fringes of the wing a thread of cerulean purple;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt tell them to make to themselves fringes in the corners of their garments, putting in them ribands of blue:

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall tell them to make for themselves hems at the corners of their cloaks, placing in them ribbons of hyacinth,

New American Bible
Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner.

New Revised Standard Version
Speak to the Israelites, and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put a blue cord on the fringe at each corner.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Speak to the children of Israel and bid them that they make fringes on the borders of their mantles throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringes of the borders a ribbon of blue;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Speak with the children of Israel and tell them and they shall make for themselves fringes on the hem of their robes for their generations, and they shall make a ribbon of dark blue with the fringes of their hems.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them throughout their generations fringes in the corners of their garments, and that they put with the fringe of each corner a thread of blue.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt tell them; and let them make for themselves fringes upon the borders of their garments throughout their generations: and ye shall put upon the fringes of the borders a lace of blue.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Law of Tassels
37Later, the LORD said to Moses, 38“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 22:12
You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.

Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Exodus 28:33-34
Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them, / alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.

Exodus 39:25-26
They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates, / alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Deuteronomy 6:8
Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deuteronomy 11:18
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Exodus 13:9
It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:16
So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Malachi 4:4
“Remember the law of My servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him for all Israel at Horeb.

Leviticus 19:19
You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock; you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed; and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material.

Leviticus 19:37
You must keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and follow them. I am the LORD.”

Leviticus 22:31
You are to keep My commandments and practice them. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 26:3
If you follow My statutes and carefully keep My commandments,

Leviticus 26:46
These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws that the LORD established between Himself and the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.

1 Kings 8:61
So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”

Treasury of Scripture

Speak to the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue:

fringes in the borders.

Numbers 15:39
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

Matthew 9:20
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

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Attach Bid Blue Border Borders Children Cord Corner Corners Edges Israel Israelites Robes Skirt Skirts Speak Tassel Tassels Themselves Thread Threads Throughout Twisted

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Attach Bid Blue Border Borders Children Cord Corner Corners Edges Israel Israelites Robes Skirt Skirts Speak Tassel Tassels Themselves Thread Threads Throughout Twisted

Numbers 15

1. The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering
14. The stranger is under the same law
17. The law of the first of the dough
22. The sacrifice for sins of ignorance
30. The punishment of presumption
32. He who violated the Sabbath is stoned
37. The law of tassels

Berean Study Bible

Speak to the Israelites
This phrase underscores the direct communication between God and His chosen people, the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "speak" is "דבר" (dabar), which implies not just casual conversation but a formal declaration or command. This highlights the importance of the message being delivered. Historically, the Israelites were a covenant people, and this command reinforces their identity and relationship with God. It is a reminder of their unique role and responsibilities as His people.

and tell them that throughout the generations to come
The phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the command. The Hebrew word for "generations" is "דֹּר" (dor), indicating a continuous lineage. This command was not meant to be temporary but was to be observed by all future descendants. It reflects the timelessness of God's laws and the enduring nature of His covenant with Israel. This continuity serves as a reminder of the eternal truths and principles that God imparts to His people.

they are to make for themselves tassels
The "tassels" or "צִיצִת" (tzitzit) in Hebrew, were physical reminders of the commandments. Archaeological findings, such as ancient garments with similar tassels, support the historical accuracy of this practice. The tassels served as a visual cue to live a life in accordance with God's laws. They were a daily, tangible reminder of the spiritual and moral obligations of the Israelites.

on the corners of their garments
The "corners" or "כָּנָף" (kanaph) in Hebrew, refers to the edges or extremities of the garment. This placement is significant as it symbolizes the encompassing nature of God's commandments, covering all aspects of life. The corners of the garment were the most visible parts, ensuring that the tassels were always in sight, thus constantly reminding the wearer of their covenant with God.

with a blue cord on each tassel
The "blue cord" or "תְּכֵלֶת" (tekhelet) was a specific dye, often associated with royalty and divinity, derived from a particular sea snail. The color blue in the Bible often symbolizes the heavens and the divine. The inclusion of a blue cord in the tassels served as a reminder of God's heavenly authority and the divine origin of the commandments. It was a call to holiness and a life set apart for God, reflecting His majesty and sovereignty.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(38) That they make them fringes . . . --Better, That they make them tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the tassel of the corner (i.e., on each tassel) a thread (or cord) of blue. The tassels (zirith) appear to be the same as the gedilim (fringes) of Deuteronomy 22:12. The outer garment of the Jews was a fourcornered cloth, which was also used by the poor as a counterpane (Exodus 22:26-27). It appears to have been commonly used with a hole in the centre, through which the head was put, so that one-half covered the front and the other the back of the body. These tassels, or fringes (LXX. ????????--craspeda), were enlarged by the Pharisees to exhibit their punctilious fulfilment of the Law (Matt. xiii 5). Great sanctity was attached to these fringes or tassels, and for this cause the woman with the issue of blood desired to touch a kraspedon of our Saviour's garment (Matthew 9:20).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 38. - Bid them that they make them fringes. צִיצִת, probably tassels. It seems to signify something flower-like and bright, like the blooms on a shrub; the word צִיצ. is applied to the shining plate of gold upon Aaron's head-band (Exodus 28:36). In Jeremiah 48:9 it seems to mean a wing, and in Ezekiel 8:3 צִיצִת is a lock of hair. The exact meaning must be gathered from the context, and on the whole that suggests a tassel rather than a fringe. The word גְּדִלִיס, used in the parallel passage Deuteronomy 22:12, seems to have this meaning. The Septuagint renders it by κράσπιδα, which is adopted in the Gospels (see on Matthew 23:5). In the borders of their garments. Literally, "on the wings," ἐπὶ τὰ πτερύγια. The outer garment (בֶּגֶד here, כְּסוּת in Deuteronomy 22:12) was worn like a plaid, so folded that the four corners were dependent, and on each of these corners was to be hung a tassel. It was also used as a coverlet by the poor (Exodus 22:27). That they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue. Rather, "that they put a string (or thread) of hyacinth-blue upon the tassel of the wing." Septuagint, κλῶσμα ὑακίνθινον. This may have been a blue string with which to fasten the tassel to the corner of the garment, as if it were the stalk on which this flower grew; or it may have been a prominent blue thread in the tassel itself. The later Jews seem to have understood it in this sense, and concerned themselves greatly with the symbolical arrangements of the blue and other threads, and the method in which they were knotted together, so as to set forth the whole law with all its several commandments. The later Jews, however, have always contrived, with all their minute observance, to break the plain letter of the law: thus the modern talith is an under, and not an upper, garment.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Speak
דַּבֵּ֞ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and tell
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them that
אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

throughout the generations to come
לְדֹרֹתָ֑ם (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

they are to make
וְעָשׂ֨וּ (wə·‘ā·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for themselves
לָהֶ֥ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

tassels
צִיצִ֛ת (ṣî·ṣiṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6734: A floral, wing-like projection, a forelock of hair, a tassel

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the corners
כַּנְפֵ֥י (kan·p̄ê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

of their garments,
בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם (ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

with
וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ (wə·nā·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a blue
תְּכֵֽלֶת׃ (tə·ḵê·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

cord
פְּתִ֥יל (pə·ṯîl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6616: Cord, thread

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

each tassel.
צִיצִ֥ת (ṣî·ṣiṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6734: A floral, wing-like projection, a forelock of hair, a tassel

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OT Law: Numbers 15:38 Speak to the children of Israel (Nu Num.)