Exodus 28:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And [beneath] upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of] scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

Complete Jewish Bible:

On its bottom hem make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet; and put them all the way around, with gold bells between them all the way around -

Berean Standard Bible:

Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,

American Standard Version:

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 between them round about:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And beneath upon the hem^{H7757} of it thou shalt make^{H6213} pomegranates^{H7416} of blue^{H8504}, and of purple^{H713}, and of scarlet^{{H8144}{H8438}}, round about^{H5439} the hem^{H7757} thereof; and bells^{H6472} of gold^{H2091} between^{H8432} them round about^{H5439}:

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Commentary for Exodus 28:33

Exodus 28:33 is a verse that falls within the detailed instructions given to Moses by God for the construction of the priestly garments, specifically the ephod, which was a distinctive apron-like garment worn by the High Priest during his sacred duties in the Tabernacle. The verse is part of a larger section, Exodus 28:1-43, which outlines the vestments to be worn by Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his sons, who served as priests.

In the historical context, these instructions were given during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, as they were establishing their religious practices and the structure of their worship. The pomegranates and bells described in the verse were part of the decorative elements on the hem of the ephod's robe. Pomegranates were a common motif in ancient Near Eastern art and symbolized fertility and abundance. The use of blue, purple, and scarlet threads would have been costly and signified the sacredness and splendor of the priestly office.

Gold bells were interspersed among the pomegranates, and their chiming as the High Priest moved would have served a practical and symbolic purpose. Practically, the sound alerted the people outside the Tabernacle to the High Priest's movements, ensuring that they did not inadvertently intrude upon sacred rituals. Symbolically, the bells may have represented the divine presence and the call to attention for prayer and worship. The combination of these elements—pomegranates and bells—on the hem of the robe thus served to beautify the garment, remind the Israelites of the priest's role as an intermediary between God and the people, and ensure that the wearer's movements were accompanied by a sound that signified holiness and reverence.

The themes present in this verse include the sanctity of worship, the importance of visual beauty and symbolism in religious practice, and the careful attention to detail required in the service of God. The specificity of the instructions underscores the gravity and holiness of the priestly role in the religious life of ancient Israel.

*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: H7757
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּל
   Transliteration: shûwl
   Pronunciation: shool
   Description: from an unused root meaning to hang down; a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge; hem, skirt, train.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7416
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רִמּוֹן
   Transliteration: rimmôwn
   Pronunciation: rim-mone'
   Description: or רִמֹּן; from רָמַם; a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament); pomegranate.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8504
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּכֵלֶת
   Transliteration: tᵉkêleth
   Pronunciation: tek-ay'-leth
   Description: probably for שְׁחֶלֶת; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith; blue.
   
5. Strong's Number: H713
   There are 465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַרְגָּמָן
   Transliteration: ʼargâmân
   Pronunciation: ar-gaw-mawn'
   Description: of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed stuff); purple.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8144
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנִי
   Transliteration: shânîy
   Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread).
   
7. Strong's Number: H8438
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹלָע
   Transliteration: tôwlâʻ
   Pronunciation: to-law'
   Description: and (feminine) תּוֹלֵעָה; or תּוֹלַעַת; or תֹּלַעַת; from יָלַע; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of שָׁנִי); the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed therewith; crimson, scarlet, worm.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5439
   There are 282 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָבִיב
   Transliteration: çâbîyb
   Pronunciation: saw-beeb'
   Description: or (feminine) סְבִיבָה; from סָבַב; (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around; (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6472
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּעֲמֹן
   Transliteration: paʻămôn
   Pronunciation: pah-am-one'
   Description: from פַּעַם; a bell (as struck); bell.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2091
    There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זָהָב
    Transliteration: zâhâb
    Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
    Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8432
    There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
    Transliteration: tâvek
    Pronunciation: taw'-vek
    Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).