Tassels on Garments
Numbers 15:37-41
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Num.15.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 15:38 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same divine address; verse 15:37 is the formula introducing the command about tzitzit in 15:38–41.
- Deuteronomy 22:12 (thematic): Commands Israelites to make tassels/fringes on the four corners of garments — a parallel law to the tzitzit instruction introduced in Num 15:37–41.
- Numbers 8:1 (verbal): Uses the same formula 'And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying' within the book of Numbers, showing the recurring prophetic-protocol formula for divine communication.
- Exodus 20:1 (structural): Another instance where divine speech introduces commandments ('And God spake all these words, saying'), paralleling Num 15:37 as the opening formula for legal material.
- Leviticus 1:1 (verbal): Leviticus opens many sections with 'And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him,' a comparable divine-to-Moses speech formula framing priestly and legal instructions as in Num 15:37.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
- And the LORD said to Moses:
Num.15.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ציצת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כנפי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- בגדיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- לדרתם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ונתנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ציצת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכנף: NOUN,f,sg,def
- פתיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תכלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:12 (verbal): Repeats the command to make tassels on the four corners of garments; closely parallels Numbers' instruction about fringes/tassels.
- Numbers 15:39 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same passage explaining the purpose of the tassel (to remind the wearer of God's commandments and to be holy).
- Deuteronomy 6:8 (thematic): Commands to bind God's words as a sign on hand and between eyes—another law prescribing visible, physical reminders to keep the commandments.
- Matthew 9:20 (allusion): The woman who touches the 'hem' (kraspedon) of Jesus' garment reflects the cultural significance of a garment's fringe/edge (tzitzit) as a focus of faith and power.
- Zechariah 8:23 (thematic): Image of peoples seizing a Jew's robe as an identifying sign parallels the tzitzit as a visible marker distinguishing Israelites and attracting attention from the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Speak to the people of Israel and tell them: Make for yourselves tassels on the corners of your garments throughout your generations, and put on the tassel of the corner a cord of blue.
- Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them: Make for yourselves tassels on the corners of your garments throughout your generations, and put on the tassel of the corner a cord of blue.
Num.15.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לציצת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וראיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- וזכרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תתרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- לבבכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- ואחרי: CONJ
- עיניכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- זנים: VERB,ptcp,qal,act,m,pl
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:8–9 (structural): Commands to bind God's words as a sign on your hand and between your eyes and to write them on doorposts — a closely related ritual/structural practice of external reminders to prompt obedience, like the tzitzit/tassel in Num 15:39.
- Deuteronomy 11:18–21 (verbal): Uses similar language about laying up the words of God and binding them for a sign so that you remember and obey — parallels the stated purpose of the tassel to prevent following one's heart and eyes.
- Matthew 23:5 (allusion): Jesus reproves Pharisees for making their phylacteries broad and the fringes of their garments long; an explicit New Testament engagement with the Jewish practice of fringes/tassels prescribed in Numbers.
- John 14:15 (thematic): Links love for Jesus with keeping his commandments; thematically parallels Num 15:39’s emphasis that reminding oneself of God's commands should lead to doing them.
- Psalm 119:11 (thematic): ’Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee’ — echoes the concern behind the tassel: that external reminders promote internal remembrance and obedience rather than following sinful desire.
Alternative generated candidates
- It shall be a tassel for you; and when you see it you shall remember all the LORD's commandments and do them, and you shall not follow after your own heart and after your own eyes, with which you are inclined to stray.
- It shall be for you a tassel; when you see it you shall remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and you shall not follow after your own heart and after your own eyes, by which you go astray.
Num.15.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- תזכרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מצותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- והייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- קדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאלהיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 19:2 (verbal): Explicit command to "be holy" with the same rationale—because the LORD is your God—echoing Numbers 15:40's call to holiness linked to God's identity.
- Leviticus 11:44 (verbal): Commands Israel to sanctify/holy themselves and repeats the formula "I am the LORD your God," paralleling the motivation and language for holiness in Num 15:40.
- Deuteronomy 6:24 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD commanding Israel to do all his statutes and teachings to future generations—parallels the injunction to remember and do all God's commandments.
- Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (thematic): Summarizes what the LORD requires—fear, walk in his ways, and keep his commandments—closely related to the obligation in Num 15:40 to do God's commandments and live consecrated to him.
- Ezekiel 20:12 (allusion): God gives statutes and sabbaths "that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them," reflecting the theme of divine sanctification/holiness found in Numbers 15:40.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that you may remember and observe all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
- So that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
Num.15.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:2 (quotation): Nearly identical covenant preface: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt…' — the statement of divine identity and deliverance that frames the Decalogue.
- Exodus 6:7 (verbal): God's promise to 'take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God' echoes the purpose-language of Num 15:41 (brought out of Egypt 'to be your God').
- Leviticus 26:12 (verbal): Covenant formulation: 'I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be my people' — same God/people relationship expressed in Numbers 15:41.
- Jeremiah 24:7 (thematic): Prophetic renewal of the covenant: 'I will give them a heart to know me... they shall be my people, and I will be their God' — echoes the deliverance→relationship motif of Num 15:41.
Alternative generated candidates
- I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God for you—I am the LORD your God.
- I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: Make for yourselves tassels on the corners of your garments throughout your generations, and put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.
It shall be for you a tassel; when you look at it you shall remember all the LORD's commandments and do them, and not follow after your heart or after your eyes, by which you go astray. So that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God.