In the context of the Bible, bells are mentioned primarily in relation to the priestly garments worn by Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. The use of bells in the biblical narrative is both symbolic and functional, serving as a reminder of the holiness and the responsibilities of the priesthood.

Priestly Garments

The most notable reference to bells in the Bible is found in the description of the high priest's garments in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to make sacred garments for Aaron, including a robe adorned with bells. Exodus 28:33-35 states: "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. Practically, they announced the high priest's movements as he entered and exited the Holy Place, ensuring that he was not intruding unannounced into the presence of God. Symbolically, the sound of the bells represented the continuous intercession of the high priest on behalf of the people of Israel, signifying the mediation between God and His people.

Symbolism and Significance

The bells on the high priest's robe can be seen as a symbol of the need for reverence and preparation when approaching God. The sound of the bells was a reminder of the holiness required in the service of the Lord and the serious nature of the priestly duties. The alternating pattern of bells and pomegranates on the hem of the robe also suggests a balance between the joy of serving God (represented by the bells) and the fruitfulness of a life dedicated to Him (represented by the pomegranates).

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 used in various rituals. The biblical use of bells, however, is distinct in its specific association with the high priest's garments and its theological implications.

Later Jewish Tradition

While the specific use of bells as described in Exodus is not extensively mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, later Jewish tradition continued to hold the high priestly garments in high regard. The detailed instructions for the garments, including the bells, underscore the importance of adhering to God's commands in worship and service.

Christian Interpretation

In Christian theology, the high priestly garments, including the bells, are often seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14 refers to Jesus as the "great high priest who has passed through the heavens," emphasizing His role as the mediator between God and humanity. The bells, as part of the high priest's attire, remind believers of the need for holiness and reverence in their relationship with God, as well as the joy and fruitfulness that come from faithful service.Bells

In (Exodus 28:33) the bells alluded to were the golden ones 72 in number, round the hem of the his priest's ephod. The object of them was so that his sound might be heard." (Exodus 28:34) Ecclus. 45:9. To this day bells are frequently attached, for the sake of their pleasant sound, to the anklets of women. The little girls of Cairo wear strings of them around their feet. In (Zechariah 14:20) "bells of the horses" were concave or flat pieces of brass, which were sometimes attached to horses for the sake of ornament.

4698. metsillah -- a bell
... 4697, 4698. metsillah. 4699 . a bell. Transliteration: metsillah Phonetic
Spelling: (mets-il-law') Short Definition: bells. Word ...
/hebrew/4698.htm - 6k

6472. paamon -- bell (on high priest's robe)
... Word Origin from paam Definition bell (on high priest's robe) NASB Word Usage bell
(3), bells (3). bell. From pa'am; a bell (as struck) -- bell. ...
/hebrew/6472.htm - 6k

A Peal of Bells
... A Peal of Bells. A Sermon (No.399). ... "In that day shall there be upon the bells
of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.""Zechariah 14:20. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

March the Twenty-Ninth Mystic Alarm-Bells
... MARCH The Twenty-ninth MYSTIC ALARM-BELLS. MATTHEW xxvii.19-25. Pilate was
warned. Pilate's wife had a dream, and in the dream she ...
/.../march the twenty-ninth mystic alarm-bells.htm

The Bells on the Priest's Robe were a Figure of the Apostles.
... Chapter XLII."The bells on the priest's robe were a figure of the apostles. ... [2067].
Footnotes: [2062] Exodus 28:33 gives no definite number of bells. ...
/.../chapter xlii the bells on the.htm

All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... I. All the bells were ringing the Angelus.? All the bells were ringing
the Angelus. The sun was sinking;"and from the many quaint ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/i all the bells were.htm

A Chime of Gospel Bells.
... CHAPTER VIII. A CHIME OF GOSPEL BELLS. ... Let me ring out a chime of Gospel bells, every
one of which says, "Come!" The first bell I will ring is,. COME AND HEAR! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter viii a chime of.htm

How Brother Juniper Took Certain Little Bells from the Altar, and ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE LIFE OF BROTHER JUNIPER CHAPTER V HOW BROTHER JUNIPER TOOK CERTAIN
LITTLE BELLS FROM THE ALTAR, AND GAVE THEM AWAY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter v how brother juniper.htm

Old and New Year 444. Ring Out, Wild Bells, to the Wild Sky
... IV. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Old and New Year 444. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky.
LMD ... Alfred Tennyson, 1850. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,. ...
/.../old and new year 444.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... In the tower are the bells, and what the spire with its uplifted Cross says
to us in silent eloquence these say in sound and music. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

Lost in the Woods.
... After listening carefully for the tinkling of the cow-bells, Bessie was bewildered,
for she could seemingly hear them in every direction. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xix lost in the.htm

That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable ...
... Hence it is enjoined on Moses that when the priest goes into the tabernacle he shall
be encompassed with bells (Exodus 28:33); that is, that he shall have ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iv that the ruler.htm

Bells (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bells (6 Occurrences). Exodus 28:33 On its hem
you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and ...
/b/bells.htm - 8k

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... 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). ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and
of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them: (WEB KJV ...
/p/pomegranates.htm - 13k

Peal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To appeal. 3. (n.) A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds,
as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc. ...
/p/peal.htm - 7k

Skirts (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:33 And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and
of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold ...
/s/skirts.htm - 13k

Fruits (109 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28:33 And round the skirts
of it put fruits in blue and purple and red, with bells of gold between; (BBE). ...
/f/fruits.htm - 37k

Robe (142 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and
of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them: (See NIV ...
/r/robe.htm - 37k

Hem (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and
of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them: (WEB KJV ...
/h/hem.htm - 12k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... one. 5. (vi) To practice making music with bells. 6. (vi ... or reverberated.
11. (n.) A chime, or set of bells harmonically tuned. 12. (n ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 10:5). (2.) The paamon, the "bells" on the robe of the high priest
(Exodus 28:33; 39:25). (3.) The tseltselim, "cymbals ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

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