Numbers 15:38

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and bid {H559} them that they make {H6213} them fringes {H6734} in the borders {H3671} of their garments {H899} throughout their generations {H1755}, and that they put {H5414} upon the fringe {H6734} of the borders {H3671} a ribband {H6616} of blue {H8504}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Speak to the people of Isra'el, instructing them to make, through all their generations, tzitziyot on the corners of their garments, and to put with the tzitzit on each corner a blue thread.

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of each border a cord of blue:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:38 introduces a perpetual command for the Israelites to wear fringes (tzitzit) on the borders of their garments, with a blue cord (tekhelet) attached. This seemingly simple directive served as a profound, tangible reminder of God's covenant with His people, urging them to remember and obey all His commandments, thereby distinguishing them as a holy nation set apart for His purposes throughout their generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel after the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the subsequent plague (Numbers 16-17). Numbers 15 itself contains various regulations concerning offerings, unintentional sins, and the severe punishment for defiant sin, culminating in the command for tzitzit (Numbers 15:37-41). The placement of this command, immediately following the law for intentional sin, underscores its purpose: to provide a constant, visible safeguard against deliberate disobedience by reminding the people of God's entire law. It serves as a practical, daily mechanism to foster remembrance and prevent the kind of spiritual wandering that led to previous failures, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 15:39-40](/numbers/15-39 "Numbers 15:39-40 - The Purpose of the Fringes").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, garments were more than mere clothing; they often conveyed social status, identity, and religious affiliation. The "borders of their garments" typically referred to the four corners of the outer cloak, a common item of clothing. The command for tzitzit was unique to Israel, setting them apart from surrounding nations who might have worn decorative fringes but not with this specific theological mandate. The "ribband of blue" (tekhelet) was a highly prized dye, derived from a specific mollusk, and its color was associated with royalty, divinity, and the heavens, often used in the Tabernacle (e.g., for the priestly garments and the veil). This association would have visually linked the wearer to God's heavenly authority and Israel's sacred calling as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, as proclaimed in [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation").
* **Key Themes:** The command in Numbers 15:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. **Remembrance** is paramount; the fringes served as a constant, tangible mnemonic device to recall God's commandments and their covenant obligations. This ties into the broader theme of **Obedience and Holiness**, where Israel's distinctiveness was not just external but demanded an internal commitment to living a life set apart for God. The fringes visually reinforced Israel's **Distinction** as God's chosen people, a visible sign of their unique relationship with Yahweh. 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 [Deuteronomy 4:15-19](/deuteronomy/4-15 "Deuteronomy 4:15-19 - Warning Against Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fringes (Hebrew, _tzitzit'_):** The Hebrew word צִיצִת (_tzitzit_) refers to a tassel, fringe, or lock of hair. In this context, it denotes specifically 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. The number of knots and windings in traditional Jewish tzitzit are often interpreted to represent the 613 commandments of the Torah, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the reminder.
* **Ribband of blue (Hebrew, _tekhelet'_):** The Hebrew word תְּכֵלֶת (_tekhelet_) refers to a specific, highly valued blue-violet dye, traditionally believed to be derived from the Murex snail. This color was highly symbolic in ancient Israel, frequently used in the Tabernacle and priestly garments (e.g., [Exodus 26:31](/exodus/26-31 "Exodus 26:31 - The Veil of the Tabernacle")). 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 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.
* **"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 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.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-9](/deuteronomy/6-4 "The Shema and its Application")
* [Psalm 119:11](/psalms/119-11 "Hiding God's Word in the Heart")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "Be Holy, for I Am Holy")

### 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 show, 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
* **What are the "fringes" in your life that serve as intentional, daily reminders of God's Word and His call to obedience?**
* **How does your outward life visibly reflect your inward commitment to Christ, distinguishing you as His follower?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be "going after your own heart and your own eyes" instead of God's commands, and how can you implement practices to remember His truth?**

### FAQ

**Are Christians commanded to wear tzitzit today?**

Answer: 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](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). 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](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). 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](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")).

### 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 need for a greater fulfillment. 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Where the tzitzit were a physical reminder of an external code, Christ Himself is the living, internal reality of God's will written on our hearts through the New Covenant ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). 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 ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). 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](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love Fulfills the Law")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 22:12

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

Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Luke 8:44

Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

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: