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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Numbers 15:37–41.
Provision had been just now made by the law for the pardon of sins of ignorance and infirmity; now here is an expedient provided for the preventing of such sins. They are ordered to make fringes upon the borders of their garments, which were to be memorandums to them of their duty, that they might not sin through forgetfulness. 1. The sign appointed is a fringe of silk, or thread, or worsted, or the garment itself ravelled at the bottom, and a blue riband bound on the top of it to keep it tight, Num 15:38. The Jews being a peculiar people, they were thus distinguished from their neighbours in their dress, as well as in their diet, and taught by such little instances of singularity not to be conformed to the way of the heathen in greater things. Thus likewise they proclaimed themselves Jews wherever they were, as those that were not ashamed of God and his law. Our Saviour, being made under the law, wore these fringes; hence we read of the hem or border, of his garment, Mat 9:20. These borders the Pharisees enlarged, that they might be thought more holy and devout than other people. The phylacteries were different things; these were their own invention, the fringes were a divine institution. The Jews at this day wear them, saying, when they put them on, Blessed be he who has sanctified us unto himself, and commanded us to wear fringes. 2. The intention of it was to remind them that they were a peculiar people. They were not appointed for the trimming and adorning of their clothes, but to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance (Pe2 3:1), that they might look upon the fringe and remember the commandments. Many look upon their ornaments to feed their pride, but they must look upon these ornaments to awaken their consciences to a sense of their duty, that their religion might constantly beset them, and that they might carry it about with them, as they did their clothes, wherever they went. If they were tempted to sin, the fringe would be a monitor to them not to break God's commandments: If a duty was forgotten to be done in its season, the fringe would remind them of it. This institution, though it is not an imposition upon us, is an instruction to us, always to remember the commandments of the Lord our God, that we may do them, to treasure them up in our memories, and to apply them to particular cases as there is occasion to use them. It was intended particularly to be a preservative from idolatry: that you seek not after your own heart, and your own eyes, in your religious worship. Yet it may extend also to the whole conversation, for nothing is more contrary to God's honour, and our own true interest, than to walk in the way of our heart and in the sight of our eyes; for the imagination of the heart is evil, and so is the lust of the eyes.
After the repetition of some ceremonial appointments, the chapter closes with that great and fundamental law of religion, Be holy unto your God, purged from sin, and sincerely devoted to his service; and that great reason for all the commandments is again and again inculcated, I am the Lord your God. Did we more firmly believe, and more frequently and seriously consider, that God is the Lord, and our God and Redeemer, we should see ourselves bound in duty, interest, and gratitude, to keep all his commandments.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Fringes: The Pharisees enlarged these fringes through hypocrisy, Matt. 23. 5, to appear more zealous than other men for the law of God.
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Summary
Numbers 15:38 delivers a foundational divine directive to the Israelites: to fashion fringes (tzitzit) on the corners of their garments, incorporating a thread of blue (tekhelet). This seemingly simple command was a profound and perpetual visual aid, designed to serve as a tangible reminder of God's covenant, His commandments, and Israel's unique identity as a holy nation set apart by Him through all future generations.
Context
Literary Context
This specific command for the tzitzit (fringes) appears at the conclusion of Numbers chapter 15, following a series of laws concerning various offerings, unintentional sins, and, notably, the severe consequences for defiant, high-handed sin. The immediate preceding narrative in Numbers 16-17 details the devastating rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the subsequent plague, which underscored the dire need for Israel to remember and obey God's laws. By placing the tzitzit command directly after the law for intentional sin, the text emphasizes its prophylactic purpose: to provide a constant, visible safeguard against deliberate disobedience. It functions as a daily, practical mechanism to foster remembrance of God's entire law and prevent the spiritual wandering that had plagued the wilderness generation, as explicitly articulated in Numbers 15:39-40.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, garments were more than mere attire; they often communicated social status, tribal identity, and religious affiliation. The "borders of their garments" typically referred to the four corners of the outer cloak, a common and essential item of clothing for both men and women. While other cultures might have used decorative fringes, the command for tzitzit was unique to Israel, intentionally setting them apart. The "ribband of blue" (tekhelet) was a highly prized and expensive dye, derived from a specific mollusk (likely the Murex snail). This color was deeply symbolic, associated with royalty, divinity, and the heavens, and was prominently used in the construction and furnishings of the Tabernacle (e.g., the veil, priestly garments, and coverings for sacred objects). Its inclusion visually linked the wearer to God's heavenly authority and Israel's sacred calling as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation," a foundational identity declared in Exodus 19:6.
Key Themes
The divine instruction in Numbers 15:38 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological themes woven throughout the book of Numbers and the wider Pentateuch. Central among these is Remembrance (Hebrew: zakhar), where the fringes served as an enduring, tangible mnemonic device to recall God's commandments and their covenant obligations. This ties directly into the theme of Obedience and Holiness, emphasizing that Israel's distinctiveness was not merely external but demanded an internal commitment to living a life set apart for God. The tzitzit visually reinforced Israel's Distinction as Yahweh's chosen people, a visible sign of their unique relationship with Him. Furthermore, this command exemplifies Visual Theology, where abstract spiritual truths are embodied in a physical, everyday object, integrating faith into the very fabric of daily life and serving as a perpetual prompt to avoid idolatry and disobedience, as warned against in passages like Deuteronomy 4:15-19.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew word צִיצִת (H6734, tsîytsith) refers to a floral or wing-like projection, specifically a tassel or fringe. In this context, it denotes the knotted cords attached to the four corners of a garment. These were not merely decorative but carried profound symbolic weight, serving as a physical reminder system of God's commandments and the covenant.
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (H1755, dôwr), or its shortened form דֹּר, refers to a revolution of time, signifying an age or generation. Its use here, "throughout their generations," emphasizes the perpetual and enduring nature of this ordinance, signifying its importance not just for the wilderness generation but for all future descendants of Israel, highlighting the command's timeless relevance within the Old Covenant.
The Hebrew word תְּכֵלֶת (H8504, tᵉkêleth) refers to a specific cerulean mussel, or the violet-blue color obtained from it, or the stuff dyed therewith. This highly valued dye was deeply symbolic in ancient Israel, frequently used in the Tabernacle and priestly garments. Its association with the heavens, the sea, and divine glory likely served to remind the wearer of God's majesty, His heavenly throne, and the divine origin of the commandments, drawing their gaze upward to the source of their law.
Verse Breakdown
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations"
This opening clause establishes the divine origin and universal application of the command. It is a direct instruction from God, delivered through Moses, to all future generations of Israelites. The "borders of their garments" refers to the four corners of the outer cloak, which was a common, everyday item of clothing. The phrase "throughout their generations" emphasizes the perpetual and enduring nature of this ordinance, signifying its importance not just for the wilderness generation but for all future descendants, underscoring the lasting significance of this covenant requirement.
"and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue"
This specifies an additional, crucial detail for the fringes: the inclusion of a blue cord. This blue thread, the tekhelet, was not merely an aesthetic addition but carried significant symbolic weight, distinguishing these fringes from ordinary decorative tassels. Its inclusion reinforced the divine origin and sacred purpose of the tzitzit, connecting the wearer's daily life to the heavens and God's holy presence, and serving as a constant visual cue to remember and obey God's divine law.
Literary Devices
Numbers 15:38 primarily employs Prescriptive Law, directly commanding a specific action for the Israelites. This command is rich in Symbolism: the fringes (tzitzit) symbolize the totality of God's commandments, serving as a tangible mnemonic device. The blue thread (tekhelet) is particularly symbolic, representing the heavens, divinity, and God's glory, thereby linking the earthly garment to the divine realm and the heavenly origin of the law. The act of wearing the fringes also functions as a form of Metonymy, where the physical object (the fringe) stands for the spiritual reality it represents (remembrance and obedience to the entire Mosaic Law). Furthermore, the command creates a Visual Reminder, integrating theological instruction into the daily life and attire of the people, making their faith visible and constant.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The command for tzitzit in Numbers 15:38 is a powerful illustration of God's profound desire for His people to live in constant, conscious awareness of His presence and His law. It underscores the principle that true faith is not merely an internal belief but should manifest in tangible, consistent obedience that permeates every aspect of life, even one's clothing. This visible reminder was intended to counteract the human tendency to forget God's commands and to "go after their own heart and their own eyes," which often led to idolatry and moral compromise. It speaks to the holistic nature of the covenant, where every detail of life is to be lived under God's sovereign rule, fostering a distinct identity as a people set apart for holiness. The tzitzit served as a constant call to intentionality in their walk with God, ensuring that their daily lives were shaped by divine precepts.
Reflection and Application
While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial law of the Old Covenant, the underlying principles of Numbers 15:38 remain profoundly relevant for spiritual formation and daily living. This verse challenges us to consider how we, in our contemporary context, cultivate intentional and tangible reminders of God's Word and His commands. Just as the tzitzit served as a constant visual prompt for the Israelites, we are called to integrate our faith into the fabric of our everyday lives, ensuring that our actions, choices, and even our appearance reflect our commitment to Christ. This means actively seeking ways to keep God's truth ever before us, whether through consistent engagement with Scripture, prayer, fellowship, or even physical cues in our environment. Our lives should be a visible testimony, not for ostentatious display, but as a genuine overflow of a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating our distinct identity as followers of Christ in a world that often forgets God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Are Christians commanded to wear tzitzit today?
No, Christians are not commanded to wear literal tzitzit. The New Testament teaches that the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, including specific dietary laws, festivals, and clothing regulations like the wearing of tzitzit, were a "shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" (Colossians 2:16-17). Jesus fulfilled the law, and believers are now under the New Covenant, where righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through adherence to external rituals (Romans 10:4). While the physical practice is not required, the principle behind the tzitzit—to remember God's commands and live a life of holiness—remains eternally valid for believers. We are called to live out our faith in ways that visibly honor God, not through specific external symbols, but through transformed lives that bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and through a renewed mind (Romans 12:2).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Numbers 15:38, with its command for visible fringes and a blue cord, points forward to Christ in profound ways. The tzitzit served as a constant, tangible reminder of the Law, urging Israel to remember and obey God's commandments. Yet, humanity consistently failed to perfectly keep the Law, highlighting the pervasive need for a greater fulfillment and a perfect mediator. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Law, not merely by obeying it perfectly, but by embodying it fully. He is the Word made flesh, the very embodiment of God's truth and commands (John 1:14). Where the tzitzit were an external, physical reminder of an external code, Christ Himself is the living, internal reality of God's will, now written on the hearts of believers through the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:10). The blue cord, symbolizing the heavens and divine majesty, finds its ultimate expression in Jesus, who descended from heaven to reveal God's glory and who now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Believers in Christ are no longer defined by external adherence to ceremonial laws but by an internal transformation and a new identity "in Christ," where our lives become living testimonies to His grace and truth, fulfilling the spirit of the law by walking in love and obedience to Him (Romans 13:10) and by being conformed to His image (Romans 8:29).