What number verse is Exodus 39:26 in the Bible?

Exodus 39:26 is the 2,691st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Exodus 39:26 sits at position 2,691.

Translation

King James Version

A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

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KJV (with Strong's)

A bell ^H6472 and a pomegranate ^H7416, a bell ^H6472 and a pomegranate ^H7416, round about ^H5439 the hem ^H7757 of the robe ^H4598 to minister ^H8334 in; as the LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 Moses ^H4872.

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Complete Jewish Bible

that is, bell, pomegranate, bell, pomegranate, all the way around the hem of the robe for service - as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

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Berean Standard Bible

alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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American Standard Version

a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about, to minister in; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

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World English Bible Messianic

a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as the LORD commanded Moses.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

A bel and a pomegranate, a bel and a pomegranate round about the skirts of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

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Young's Literal Translation

a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, are on the hems of the upper robe, round about, to minister in, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 39:26 meticulously details the precise construction of the high priest's sacred robe, specifically highlighting the alternating pattern of golden bells and woven pomegranates adorning its hem. This verse, situated within the concluding accounts of the Tabernacle's construction, underscores the divine precision, absolute obedience, and spiritual significance required in the execution of God's sacred blueprint for worship, ensuring every element of the priestly attire was fashioned exactly "as the LORD commanded Moses" for the holy and life-preserving ministry.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within the final section of the book of Exodus (chapters 35-40), which serves as the narrative fulfillment of God's earlier, detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, including the priestly garments. The divine blueprint was initially laid out in Exodus 25-31. Specifically, the instructions for the high priestly garments, particularly the "robe of the ephod" and its unique hem, were first given in Exodus 28:33-35. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" acts as a powerful literary refrain throughout these concluding chapters (e.g., Exodus 39:1, Exodus 39:5, Exodus 39:7, Exodus 39:21, Exodus 39:32). This repetition serves to emphasize the absolute fidelity of Moses and the divinely gifted craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab (introduced in Exodus 31:1-6), to God's precise and holy design.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Tabernacle was the portable sanctuary and central place of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, symbolizing God's tangible presence dwelling among His people. The high priest, a role first held by Aaron and then passed down through his descendants, occupied the most sacred office, serving as the primary mediator between God and Israel. His garments were not merely ceremonial attire but sacred vestments, divinely designed to signify his consecrated status, his mediatorial function, and the profound holiness of the God he served. In the ancient Near East, the sound of bells was often associated with religious rituals, announcing the presence of deities or priests. For the high priest, the sound of the bells (as implied in Exodus 28:35) served a crucial practical purpose: to announce his movements within the Holy Place and, more critically, when he approached the Most Holy Place, ensuring his life was preserved in the awe-inspiring presence of God. Pomegranates were widely recognized symbols of fertility, abundance, life, and prosperity in the ancient world, often depicted in art and architecture due to their numerous seeds and rich juice. Their inclusion on the high priest's robe would have powerfully signified the spiritual fruitfulness, blessing, and vitality that should characterize the priestly ministry and flow from God to His people.
Key Themes: Exodus 39:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. The most prominent theme is Divine Authority and Human Obedience, highlighted by the constant refrain "as the LORD commanded Moses," emphasizing God's sovereign right to prescribe worship and humanity's solemn duty to obey. Another key theme is Holiness and Consecration, as every detail of the Tabernacle and priestly garments, including the bells and pomegranates, was designed to set apart sacred space and individuals for God's holy presence. This verse also speaks to the theme of Mediation and Atonement, as the high priest's attire facilitated his unique role in approaching God on behalf of the people. Finally, the symbolism of the pomegranates points to Life and Fruitfulness, suggesting that true worship and priestly ministry are meant to be life-giving and abundant, bringing blessing from God to His people.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Bell (Hebrew, paʻămôn', H6472): From its root implying striking or sounding, this word refers to a small, clapper-type bell. In the context of the high priest's robe, the bell's primary function was to produce an audible signal, announcing the high priest's presence as he moved within the sacred spaces of the Tabernacle. This sound was not merely decorative but vital, signifying that the high priest was alive and properly ministering before the Lord, a matter of life and death when entering God's holy presence. (H6472)
Pomegranate (Hebrew, rimmôwn', H7416): This term designates the fruit of the pomegranate tree, characterized by its distinctive shape, deep red color, and numerous seeds. Derived from a root meaning "to be high" or "to be exalted," it can refer to the tree's upright growth or the fruit itself, and also to artificial ornaments shaped like pomegranates. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, pomegranates were potent symbols of fertility, abundance, prosperity, and life. Their inclusion on the high priest's robe likely symbolized the spiritual fruitfulness, blessing, and life that God intended to flow through the priestly ministry to the nation of Israel, representing the spiritual vitality and abundance that should characterize God's people. (H7416)
Minister (Hebrew, shârath', H8334): Though implied by the phrase "to minister [in]," this primitive root means "to attend as a menial or worshipper," and figuratively, "to contribute to." It encompasses the acts of serving, ministering, or waiting upon, frequently referring to sacred service, particularly priestly or Levitical duties. This highlights that the purpose of the robe and its adornments was not merely aesthetic but profoundly functional, enabling the high priest to perform his consecrated duties in a manner pleasing and acceptable to God, contributing to the spiritual well-being of the community. (H8334)

Verse Breakdown

"A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate": This precise and deliberate repetition emphasizes the alternating pattern of the ornaments around the hem of the robe. It highlights the meticulous detail and specific order commanded by God, underscoring the divine precision required in all aspects of Tabernacle construction and priestly attire. The dual nature of the adornment—auditory (bell) and visual (pomegranate)—is central, symbolizing both the high priest's presence and the fruitfulness of his ministry.
"round about the hem of the robe": This clause specifies the exact placement of the bells and pomegranates. They were not randomly affixed but strategically positioned along the entire lower edge of the high priest's blue robe. This ensured they would be both visible and audible as he moved, thereby underscoring their functional and symbolic importance in his sacred duties and the public nature of his consecrated role.
"to minister [in]": This phrase clarifies the overarching purpose of these specific adornments. They were integral to the high priest's ability to perform his sacred duties within the Tabernacle and, specifically, when entering God's holy presence. The sound of the bells ensured his presence was known and acceptable, preventing his death, while the pomegranates symbolized the life and blessing inherent in his consecrated service. The garments were not for personal glory or mere decoration, but for the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of His people.
"as the LORD commanded Moses": This concluding phrase, a powerful and recurring motif throughout the Tabernacle accounts, serves as a profound affirmation of divine authority and human obedience. It stresses that every minute detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, was executed precisely according to God's explicit instructions. This underscores the unwavering faithfulness of Moses and the skilled craftsmen, and the absolute necessity of adhering to God's revealed will in all matters of worship and service.

Literary Devices

Exodus 39:26 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. Repetition is prominently featured with the phrase "A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate," which not only describes the alternating pattern but also emphasizes the meticulous and precise nature of God's instructions and their faithful execution. This repetition reinforces the idea of divine order and the critical importance of exact adherence to the divine blueprint. Symbolism is central to the verse's meaning, with both the "bell" and the "pomegranate" carrying rich connotations. The bells symbolize the high priest's audible presence, accountability, and the reverence required in God's holy presence, serving as a life-preserving signal. The pomegranates symbolize fruitfulness, abundance, and the spiritual life that flows from consecrated ministry. The entire ensemble of the high priest's garments, of which these elements are a part, functions as a form of synecdoche, where these specific parts (the bells and pomegranates) represent the whole office and sacred function of the high priest, signifying his holiness, consecration, and the divine authority under which he ministered. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" acts as a powerful refrain, underscoring the paramount themes of obedience and divine authority throughout the entire Tabernacle construction narrative.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Exodus 39:26, with its meticulous detail concerning the high priest's vestments, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, precision, and absolute holiness. It reveals that God cares deeply about the specifics of worship and service, not as arbitrary rules, but as expressions of His own perfect nature and as means to ensure proper reverence, access to His presence, and the spiritual well-being of His people. The high priest's bells and pomegranates were not merely decorative; they were functional and deeply symbolic, signifying the life-giving and life-preserving nature of consecrated ministry. This passage underscores that true worship and service must be conducted according to God's revealed will, emphasizing obedience, accountability, and spiritual fruitfulness as essential components of approaching a holy God and receiving His blessing.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the Levitical priesthood and the Tabernacle system have been fulfilled in Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Exodus 39:26 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. As members of God's "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), we are called to a life of consecration and service that reflects God's holiness and brings Him glory. The bells on the high priest's robe remind us that our "walk" and conduct in the world should be discernible, marked by a clear testimony of God's presence and work in our lives. Our actions and words should "ring out" with the truth of the Gospel, demonstrating our accountability to God and our reverence for His holy name. Similarly, the pomegranates call us to spiritual fruitfulness, reminding us that our lives should bear the abundant fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), bringing blessing to others and reflecting the abundant life found in Christ. This verse also powerfully teaches us the paramount importance of obedience to God's commands, recognizing that God cares about the details of our lives and our service. Our reverence for Him should translate into a faithful and meticulous adherence to His Word in all areas, ensuring that our lives are lived "as the LORD commanded," bringing Him honor and extending His kingdom.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous detail in God's commands for the Tabernacle garments inform our understanding of His character and our approach to worship today?
In what practical ways can our lives, as believers, audibly "ring" with the presence of God, and how can we ensure our "fruit" is evident to those around us?
Considering the high priest's solemn role and the requirements for his ministry, how does our own "priesthood" in Christ call us to a life of deeper consecration and faithful service?

FAQ

Why did the high priest wear bells on his robe?

Answer: The bells on the high priest's robe served both a crucial practical purpose and a profound symbolic one. Practically, as explicitly stated in Exodus 28:35, their sound announced his presence as he moved within the Holy Place and, most critically, when he entered the Most Holy Place. This audible signal was essential for his safety and preservation, as it signified that he was alive and properly ministering before the Lord, preventing him from dying in God's holy presence. Symbolically, the bells represented accountability, reverence, and the audible testimony of his consecrated service; his every movement in God's presence was to be acknowledged and acceptable.

What was the significance of the pomegranates on the high priest's robe?

Answer: Pomegranates, with their numerous seeds and rich, life-giving juice, were widely recognized in the ancient Near East as potent symbols of fertility, abundance, prosperity, and life. On the high priest's robe, they powerfully symbolized the spiritual fruitfulness, blessing, and life that God intended to flow through the priestly ministry to the nation of Israel. They represented the spiritual vitality and abundance that should characterize God's people and the blessings that come from faithful service and unwavering obedience to God's commands, signifying that the priest's ministry brought forth life and blessing.

Why is the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" repeated so often in Exodus?

Answer: The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" (seen throughout Exodus 39 and Exodus 40) serves as a powerful theological and literary refrain. Its primary purpose is to emphasize the divine authority behind every single detail of the Tabernacle's construction and the priestly garments. It highlights Moses' unwavering obedience and the meticulous faithfulness of the craftsmen in executing God's precise blueprint. This repetition underscores that the Tabernacle was not a human invention but a divinely ordained dwelling place for God, built exactly according to His revealed will, thereby ensuring its sanctity, efficacy, and its role in mediating between a holy God and His people. It stresses the absolute necessity of obedience in divine service.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Exodus 39:26, with its meticulous description of the high priest's robe adorned with bells and pomegranates, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The Levitical high priest, with his symbolic vestments, was a mere shadow and a type of the perfect priesthood to come. The bells, which announced the high priest's presence and ensured his life in God's holy presence, foreshadowed Christ's perfect and eternally acceptable presence before the Father. Unlike earthly priests, Jesus does not need bells to signify His life, for He is eternally "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Through His perfect obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9) and once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood, securing an eternal redemption for all who believe (Hebrews 9:11-14). His ministry is always acceptable to God. The pomegranates, symbolizing fruitfulness, abundance, and life, are supremely fulfilled in Christ, who is the inexhaustible source of all spiritual life and blessing. He declared, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10), and through union with Him, we are enabled to bear much fruit (John 15:5). Unlike the Levitical priests who were mortal and replaced, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently, because He lives forever, continually interceding for us at the right hand of God (Hebrews 7:23-25). Thus, the meticulous details of the high priest's robe profoundly point us to the flawless, eternal, and perfectly fruitful ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have bold access to God.

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Commentary on Exodus 39 verses 1–31

1 ¶ And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

2 And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

4 They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.

5 And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.

6 And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.

7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

8 And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.

11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.

14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

15 And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.

16 And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.

17 And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.

18 And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.

19 And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.

20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

21 And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.

22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.

23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;

26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

31 And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.

In this account of the making of the priests' garments, according to the instructions given (ch. 28), we may observe, 1. That the priests' garments are called here clothes of service, Exo 39:1. Note, Those that wear robes of honour must look upon them as clothes of service; for from those upon whom honour is put service is expected. It is said of those that are arrayed in white robes that they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, Rev 7:13, Rev 7:15. Holy garments were not made for men to sleep in, or to strut in, but to do service in; and then they are indeed for glory and beauty. The Son of man himself came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. 2. That all the six paragraphs here, which give a distinct account of the making of these holy garments, conclude with those words, as the Lord commanded Moses, Exo 39:5, Exo 39:7, Exo 39:21, Exo 39:26, Exo 39:29, Exo 39:31. The like is not in any of the foregoing accounts, as if in these, more than any other of the appurtenances of the tabernacle, they had a particular regard to the divine appointment, both for warrant and for direction. It is an intimation to all the Lord's ministers to make the word of God their rule in all their ministrations, and to act in observance of and obedience to the command of God. 3. That these garments, in conformity to the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle, were very rich and splendid; the church in its infancy was thus taught, thus pleased, with the rudiments of this world; but now under the gospel, which is the ministration of the Spirit, to affect and impose such pompous habits as the church of Rome does, under pretence of decency and instruction, is to betray the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and to entangle the church again in the bondage of those carnal ordinances which were imposed only till the time of reformation. 4. That they were all shadows of good things to come, but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel; when therefore the substance has come, it is a jest to be fond of the shadow. (1.) Christ is our great high-priest; when he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service - he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which he received not by measure - girded himself with the curious girdle of resolution, to go through with his undertaking - charged himself with the curious girdle of resolution, to go through with his undertaking - charged himself with all God's spiritual Israel, bore them on his shoulders, carried them in his bosom, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them in the breast-plate of judgment unto his Father. And (lastly) he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness: now consider how great this man is. (2.) True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made is the righteousness of saints (Rev 19:8), and Holiness to the Lord must be so written upon their foreheads that all who converse with them may see, and say, that they bear the image of God's holiness, and are devoted to the praise of it.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–31. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

Exodus 28:34
A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Song of Solomon 6:7
As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
Song of Solomon 4:13
Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
Song of Solomon 4:3
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
Matthew 9:20
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.