Fringes
What Were the Fringes?
Fringes, known in Hebrew as tsitsith (tassels) or gedhilim (twisted threads), were tassels attached to the four corners of an Israelite's outer garment. They were not merely decorative but carried profound religious significance as tangible, daily reminders of God's covenant and laws. The command to wear them is found in two key passages: Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. Each tassel was to include a single thread of tekheleth—a specific blue-violet dye—making the fringes visually distinctive and symbolically rich.
The Biblical Command and Purpose
The primary biblical instruction comes from God's command to Moses in Numbers 15:37-41. The Israelites were told to make tassels on the corners of their garments and to include a blue cord in each tassel. The stated purpose was clear: "When you look at it, you will remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after" (Numbers 15:39). This transformed an ordinary part of clothing into a portable, visual aid for spiritual mindfulness. The command in Deuteronomy 22:12 reinforces this practice, instructing, "You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself."
Historical and Cultural Development
In the Second Temple period and during the time of Jesus, the practice of wearing fringed garments remained widespread. The Gospels record people touching "the fringe of his garment" (Matthew 9:20, 14:36; Luke 8:44) to seek healing from Jesus, indicating he wore the prescribed tsitsith. However, Jesus also criticized religious leaders who enlarged their fringes to make a show of their piety (Matthew 23:5), highlighting how the symbol could be corrupted for personal pride rather than humble obedience.
After the destruction of the Second Temple and the Jewish diaspora, traditional Israelite clothing fell out of daily use. To continue observing the commandment, Jewish tradition developed two specific fringed garments: the Tallit (prayer shawl) for worship and the Tallit Katan (small Tallit), also called Arba Kanfot, worn as an undergarment throughout the day. Both garments have four corners with specially knotted fringes.
The Symbolism of the Knots and Threads
Rabbinic tradition meticulously prescribed the making of the tsitsith. Each tassel is made by threading four cords through a hole at the corner of the garment, then winding one longer cord (shamash) around the others in a series of knots and windings. A common pattern involves sequences of 7, 8, 11, and 13 windings, separated by double knots.
This structure became laden with numeric symbolism. The numbers 7 and 8 (totaling 15) were seen to represent the letters YH, and 11 represented WH, together spelling the divine name Yahweh (YHWH). The number 13 corresponds to the numeric value of the Hebrew word echad (one). Thus, the entire sequence could symbolize the declaration "Yahweh is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). While these interpretations are traditional and not explicit in the biblical text, they demonstrate the deep desire to link the physical tassel directly to core tenets of faith, ensuring the wearer literally "grasps" the unity of God and the commandments.
From Old Testament Symbol to New Testament Fulfillment
The fringes represent a key concept in biblical theology: God uses physical, tangible means to convey spiritual truth and prompt faithful living. They were part of a system where faith was integrated into daily life. In the New Testament, the fringes appear not as a commanded practice for the church, but as a recognized Jewish custom. The woman healed by touching Jesus's fringe (Matthew 9:20) demonstrated faith in his power, perhaps seeing the tassel as a point of holy contact.
Theologically, the fringes point toward a principle fulfilled in Christ. Where the tassels were an external reminder of the law, the New Covenant promises the internal work of the Holy Spirit: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:33). The reminder moves from the corner of a garment to the core of a transformed heart. However, the underlying call to holiness and constant remembrance of God's word remains central for believers today.
Biblical Context
The fringes are established as a covenantal sign in the Torah, specifically in Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. They appear in the historical and prophetic narratives as part of standard Israelite dress. In the New Testament, they are mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels, where people seek healing by touching the fringes (κρασπέδου) of Jesus's garment (Matthew 9:20, 14:36; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:44). Jesus also references them when criticizing the Pharisees for enlarging their fringes to display false piety (Matthew 23:5).
Theological Significance
The fringes teach that obedience to God should permeate everyday life. They symbolize the call to holiness (Numbers 15:40) and serve as a guard against waywardness (Numbers 15:39). They represent God's desire for his people to be constantly mindful of his commandments and their identity as his covenant people. In the broader biblical narrative, they illustrate the principle of physical signs pointing to spiritual realities—a principle that finds its ultimate fulfillment not in external cloth, but in the inward transformation of the heart by the Spirit under the New Covenant.
Historical Background
Archaeological evidence for specific dyeing practices related to tekheleth is limited, though dye works from the period have been found. The blue-violet dye was highly prized and expensive in the ancient Near East, likely derived from a specific sea snail (Murex trunculus). Its inclusion made the fringes costly and distinctive. Extra-biblical sources, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and writings by Josephus, confirm the practice. Rabbinic literature (the Talmud) extensively debates and details the making of the tsitsith, showing its central role in post-biblical Jewish piety and identity preservation after the Temple's destruction.