In biblical times, bells were small metallic instruments that produced sound when struck or shaken. They are mentioned in the context of the priestly garments worn by Aaron, the first high priest of Israel, as described in the Old Testament. The use of bells in the Bible is primarily associated with the worship practices and the sacred duties of the priesthood.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:33-35 : The most notable mention of bells in the Bible is found in the description of the high priest's robe. God instructed Moses on how to make the priestly garments, including the robe of the ephod, which was to have bells attached to its hem. "Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn around the lower hem of the robe, with gold bells between them, so that the gold bells and the pomegranates alternate around the lower hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers, so that the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters and exits the Holy Place before the LORD, so that he will not die."

The bells served a dual purpose: they were a practical element of the priestly attire, ensuring that Aaron's movements were audible as he ministered in the Holy Place, and they symbolized the holiness and reverence required in approaching God. The sound of the bells was a reminder of the sacredness of the priestly office and the need for careful observance of God's commands.

2. Ecclesiastic Symbolism: While the specific mention of bells is limited in the biblical text, their symbolic significance extends beyond their practical use. Bells can be seen as a representation of the proclamation of God's presence and the call to worship. The sound of the bells on the high priest's robe signified the mediation between God and His people, highlighting the role of the priest as an intercessor.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, bells were often used in religious and ceremonial contexts. They were believed to ward off evil spirits and were associated with divine protection. The use of bells in the Israelite priestly garments may reflect a broader cultural understanding of their significance, adapted to the specific theological framework of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Theological Implications:

The inclusion of bells in the high priest's attire underscores the importance of obedience to God's instructions and the reverence required in worship. The sound of the bells served as a constant reminder of the holiness of God and the need for purity and preparation in approaching Him. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's holiness and the call for His people to be set apart in their worship and conduct.

Modern Reflections:

In contemporary Christian worship, bells are sometimes used in liturgical settings to signify the beginning of a service or to mark sacred moments within the liturgy. While the specific use of bells has evolved, their symbolic association with worship and the presence of God continues to resonate within the Christian tradition.The bells first mentioned in Scripture are the small golden bells attached to the hem of the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:33, 34, 35). The "bells of the horses" mentioned by Zechariah (14:20) were attached to the bridles or belts round the necks of horses trained for war, so as to accustom them to noise and tumult. 1. (n.) A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue, and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck.

2. (n.) A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose ball which causes it to sound when moved.

3. (n.) Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower.

4. (n.) That part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital.

5. (n.) The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated.

6. (v. t.) To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat.

7. (v. t.) To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube.

8. (v. i.) To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to blossom; as, hops bell.

9. (v. t.) To utter by bellowing.

10. (v. i.) To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar.

BELL

(metsilloth, pa`amon): The former of these terms occurs only once (Zechariah 14:20) where it is thus translated. It is derived from a verb meaning "to tingle" or "dirl" (1 Samuel 3:11), and there is, therefore, no objection etymologically to rendering the noun by "bells." But the little bell attached to the harness of horses would hardly be a suitable place for a fairly long inscription, and as buckles shaped exactly like cymbals (see MUSIC) were used as ornaments for horses, "cymbals" is probably a better rendering.

The other Hebrew word for bell is found only in Exodus 28:33; Exodus 39:25, 26, where "bells of gold" are directed to be attached to the hem of Aaron's official robe, that the people may hear him when he enters and quits the sanctuary. Bells were not employed by the Hebrews to summon the congregation to worship, nor do Mohammedans so use them at the present day. The church bell is a peculiarly Christian institution, said to have been introduced by Bishop Paulinus of Nola in Campania, who lived about the end of the 4th century. Little bells, however, like those attached to the hem of Aaron's robe, frequently form part of the harness of horses, or are fastened to the necks of the he-goats or wethers that lead the flock in eastern lands.

James Millar

6472. paamon -- bell (on high priest's robe)
... 6471, 6472. paamon. 6473 . bell (on high priest's robe). Transliteration:
paamon Phonetic Spelling: (pah-am-one') Short Definition: bell. ...
/hebrew/6472.htm - 6k

4698. metsillah -- a bell
... metsillah. 4699 . a bell. Transliteration: metsillah Phonetic Spelling:
(mets-il-law') Short Definition: bells. ... bell. From tsalal; a tinkler, ie A bell -- ...
/hebrew/4698.htm - 6k

5153. nachush -- of bronze
... Apparently passive participle of nachash (perhaps in the sense of ringing, ie
Bell-metal; or from the red color of the throat of a serpent (nachash, as ...
/hebrew/5153.htm - 6k

The Tolling Bell
... FUNERAL HYMNS. Hymn 74 The tolling bell. John Newton 8,8,8,8. The tolling bell.
Oft as the bell, with solemn toll,. Speaks the departure of a soul; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 74 the tolling bell.htm

The Valleys --Experiences of Suffering and Sacrifice
... In Seoul they showed us the great bell hung at the crossing of certain chief
streets there. And then they told us the bell's legend. ...
/.../quiet talks on following the christ/3 the valleysexperiences of suffering.htm

Letter B
... Received 1811, Located 1820 * Belknap, John W. "Received 1832 * Bell, Benjamin
"Received 1826, Died 1838 * Bell, Caleb N. "Received 1809, Located 1815 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter b.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... and music. The office of the bell in calling to prayer and holy worship
was regarded in olden time with much reverence. The use ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

Unbroken Connection Above.
... That is reserved for "the Morning.". For hundreds of years men have used
a contrivance called a diving-bell for working under water. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/unbroken connection above.htm

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... the sun. The bell is slowly tolling""Behold, a dead man is carried out."
Who is it? To ... smelling earth. The bell is going. For what? Up ...
/.../liii the contemplation of death.htm

By the Same Author.
... SECOND COLLECTION, Psalm 42.LXXXIX.6s. THIRD COLLECTION, Psalm 90.CL.5s.
Cambridge: DEIGHTON BELL & C0. London: GEO. BELL & SONS. ". ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/by the same author.htm

Passages from Ancient Writers
... xviii., l, 4 51 Archaeol., xviii., l, 5 39 Archaeol., xviii., 2, l 261 Archaeol.,
xviii., v., 2 49, 179 Archaeol., xix., 1 46 Archaeol., xx., 9, l 412 De Bell. ...
/.../passages from ancient writers.htm

A Diet of Public Worship in the Time of Knox.
... As early as seven o'clock a bell was rung to warn the people of the approach of
the hour of worship, and this was followed an hour later by another bell, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iv a diet of.htm

Critical Conventions.
... For the dissatisfied party held a synod of their own at Buffalo Creek, at the time
specified by the constitution, and ordained Bell and David Henkel. 73. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/critical conventions.htm

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower. ... 5. (n.)
The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated. ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Toll (8 Occurrences)
... allure. See Tole. 3. (vt) To cause to sound, as a bell, with strokes slowly
and uniformly repeated; as, to toll the funeral bell. 4 ...
/t/toll.htm - 11k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic body; as, to ring
a bell. 2. (vt) To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound. ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,
upon the skirts of the robe round about. (See NIV). ...
/p/pomegranates.htm - 13k

Skirts (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon
the skirts of the robe round about. (See JPS ASV BBE DBY RSV). ...
/s/skirts.htm - 13k

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)
... Pomegranate (11 Occurrences). Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate,
a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. ...
/p/pomegranate.htm - 15k

Upper (99 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a bell of gold and a pomegranate, a bell of gold and a pomegranate
'are' on the hems of the upper robe round about. (YLT). ...
/u/upper.htm - 39k

Gong (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A flat saucer like bell, rung by striking it with a small hammer which is
connected with it by various mechanical devices; a stationary bell, used to ...
/g/gong.htm - 7k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... times, is connected with the basin of the Strymon by the valley of the Angites
(Herodotus vii.113), which also bore the names Gangas or Gangites (Appian, Bell. ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

Robe (142 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around
the hem of the robe. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/robe.htm - 37k

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