Deuteronomy 22:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest [thyself].

Complete Jewish Bible:

"You are to make for yourself twisted cords on the four corners of the garment you wrap around yourself.

Berean Standard Bible:

You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.

American Standard Version:

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four borders of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thou shalt make^{H6213} thee fringes^{H1434} upon the four^{H702} quarters^{H3671} of thy vesture^{H3682}, wherewith thou coverest^{H3680} thyself.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 22:12

Deuteronomy 22:12 is part of a larger collection of laws found in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Pentateuch in the Hebrew Bible. The verse reads, "Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself." This commandment is directed towards the Israelites and is meant to serve as a visual reminder of their unique identity and their commitment to follow God's commandments.

The fringes, or tzitzit in Hebrew, are special knotted threads that were to be attached to the corners of one's garments. The purpose of these fringes was to remind the Israelites of God's laws and to encourage them to live a life of holiness and obedience. Each time they saw the tzitzit, they would be prompted to recall all the commandments of the Lord and to not follow the desires of their own hearts, which might lead them astray.

Historically, this practice can be traced back to the time of the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings, when the Israelites were forming their identity as a people set apart for God. The commandment to wear fringes is also found in Numbers 15:37-41, where the Israelites are told to put blue cords on the fringes to remind them of God's commandments.

In the broader context of Deuteronomy, this verse is part of a series of miscellaneous laws that cover a wide range of topics, from proper worship and social justice to personal conduct and clothing. These laws were intended to guide the Israelites in living as a holy community in covenant with God. The instruction to wear tzitzit, therefore, is not merely about a specific garment but symbolizes a deeper commitment to a way of life that is governed by divine principles.

In Jewish tradition, the practice of wearing tzitzit continues to this day, particularly among observant Jewish men. The tallit, or prayer shawl, is worn during morning prayers and on Yom Kippur, and it includes the tzitzit as a tangible reminder of the wearer's faith and obligations. The tzitzit serve as a daily spiritual discipline, reinforcing the wearer's connection to God and to the historical and religious identity of the Jewish people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1434
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גְּדִל
   Transliteration: gᵉdil
   Pronunciation: ghed-eel'
   Description: from גָּדַל (in the sense of twisting); thread, i.e. a tassel or festoon; fringe, wreath.
   
3. Strong's Number: H702
   There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַרְבַּע
   Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
   Pronunciation: ar-bah'
   Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3671
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּנָף
   Transliteration: kânâph
   Pronunciation: kaw-nawf'
   Description: from כָּנַף; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle; [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3682
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּסוּת
   Transliteration: kᵉçûwth
   Pronunciation: kes-ooth'
   Description: from כָּסָה; a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling; covering, raiment, vesture.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.