Lace
Lace as a Binding Cord
Modern readers encountering the word "lace" in older Bible translations might picture delicate ornamental fabric, but the biblical usage refers to a cord or thread used for binding. The Hebrew word "pathil" describes a twisted thread or cord, and it appears in several contexts throughout the Old Testament. The most prominent use relates to the priestly garments described in Exodus, where a "lace of blue" served as the fastening mechanism for sacred vestments.
The Blue Lace of the Breastplate
The high priest's breastplate, also called the breastpiece of judgment, was attached to the ephod by means of blue cords. Exodus 28:28 instructs, "They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod." This same instruction is repeated in the account of the actual construction (Exodus 39:21). The blue lace ensured that the breastplate, with its twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel, remained securely in place over the high priest's heart as he ministered before the Lord.
The Blue Lace of the Holy Crown
A second important use of the blue lace appears in connection with the gold plate inscribed "Holy to the Lord" that was fastened to the front of the high priest's turban. Exodus 28:37 directs, "You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the turban." The fulfillment of this command is recorded in Exodus 39:31. This small but significant cord held the most important inscription in Israel's worship directly on the forehead of the high priest, visible to all as he performed his duties.
The Significance of Blue
The color blue held deep symbolic meaning in ancient Israel. Blue dye was derived from a marine snail and was costly to produce, making it a color associated with royalty and divinity. Throughout the tabernacle instructions, blue appears alongside purple and scarlet as the primary colors of sacred furnishings. God also commanded the Israelites to attach blue tassels to the corners of their garments as a reminder to obey his commandments (Numbers 15:38-39). The blue lace of the priestly garments thus carried associations of heavenly origin and divine authority.
Other Uses of the Hebrew Word
The Hebrew word "pathil" appears in other biblical contexts beyond the priestly garments. In Genesis 38:18 and 38:25, Judah's cord (pathil) serves as a personal seal or identifying marker given to Tamar. Judges 16:9 uses a related term when describing how Samson snapped his bonds as easily as a strand of fiber touches fire. These varied uses all share the core meaning of a twisted or braided cord, whether for practical, ceremonial, or symbolic purposes.
Biblical Context
The biblical "lace" appears primarily in the instructions for the priestly garments in Exodus 28 and their fulfillment in Exodus 39. The blue lace secures both the breastplate to the ephod (Exodus 28:28, 39:21) and the gold crown to the turban (Exodus 28:37, 39:31). The underlying Hebrew word "pathil" also appears in Genesis 38:18,25 and other passages referring to cords or threads.
Theological Significance
The blue lace that bound the sacred elements of the high priest's garments together symbolizes the secure connection between God's people and their mediator. The breastplate over the priest's heart, held in place by the blue cord, represented the priest carrying the tribes of Israel into God's presence. The gold plate declaring "Holy to the Lord," fastened by the same blue lace, proclaimed the holiness that God requires and provides. These details point forward to Christ as the ultimate high priest whose intercession on behalf of his people is permanently secure.
Historical Background
Archaeological evidence confirms that blue dye in the ancient Near East was primarily produced from the murex sea snail, a labor-intensive process that made the color extremely valuable. Fragments of blue-dyed textiles have been found at various archaeological sites in Israel and the surrounding region. The craft of cord-making (pathil) was an important textile art, with evidence of twisted and braided cords found in Egyptian tombs and Mesopotamian sites dating to well before the Israelite period.