Numbers 15:39

KJV

And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be unto you for a fringe {H6734}, that ye may look {H7200} upon it, and remember {H2142} all the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068}, and do {H6213} them; and that ye seek {H8446} not after {H310} your own heart {H3824} and your own eyes {H5869}, after {H310} which ye use to go a whoring {H2181}:

Complete Jewish Bible

It is to be a tzitzit for you to look at and thereby remember all of ADONAI's mitzvot and obey them, so that you won't go around wherever your own heart and eyes lead you to prostitute yourselves;

Berean Standard Bible

These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.

American Standard Version

and it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of Jehovah, and do them; and that ye follow not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to play the harlot;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:39 details a divine command to the Israelites regarding the wearing of *tzitzit*, or fringes, on the corners of their garments. This visible symbol served as a constant, tangible reminder of God's commandments, intended to cultivate a life of active obedience and prevent spiritual deviation. The instruction explicitly warned against the human tendency to follow one's own desires and perceptions, which could lead to spiritual unfaithfulness, metaphorically described as "whoring" after other gods or worldly pursuits, thereby emphasizing the critical importance of covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 15:39 concludes a series of laws and ordinances given to Israel following the devastating consequences of their unbelief and rebellion at Kadesh Barnea, where the generation of the Exodus was condemned to die in the wilderness (Numbers 13-14). Chapter 15 itself outlines various regulations concerning offerings, unintentional sins, and the severe punishment for presumptuous sin. The command for the *tzitzit* (fringes) serves as a final, practical instruction in this chapter, a visible aid to help the people remember and obey God's laws, thereby preventing the kind of faithlessness that led to their wilderness wandering. It acts as a preventative measure, a constant visual cue to maintain covenant faithfulness in their daily lives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, garments often carried significant symbolic meaning, indicating status, identity, or allegiance. For the Israelites, a people set apart by covenant, the *tzitzit* were not merely a fashion accessory but a unique identifier and a pedagogical tool. They were to be placed on the "four corners" of their outer garment (Deuteronomy 22:12), a common form of attire. The inclusion of a blue cord (Numbers 15:38) was significant, as blue was often associated with royalty and divinity, perhaps symbolizing God's heavenly throne and Israel's status as a kingdom of priests. This command was given in the wilderness, a period of formation and testing, where the Israelites were prone to forgetfulness and idolatry, making a visible, daily reminder of their covenant obligations particularly crucial.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several recurring themes throughout the Pentateuch and the broader Old Testament. The primary theme is **Memory and Obedience**, highlighting God's desire for His people to constantly recall His commands and actively live them out. The *tzitzit* served as a physical prompt against human forgetfulness, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 6:7-9](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7-9 - Teach Your Children and Remember God's Law") where God's words are to be bound as signs and frontlets. Another crucial theme is **Guarding the Heart and Eyes**, recognizing the inherent human tendency towards self-direction and sensory-driven desires, which can lead away from God. The warning against seeking "after your own heart and your own eyes" directly addresses the internal source of sin, a concept explored in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart"). Finally, the phrase "after which ye use to go a whoring" introduces the theme of **Spiritual Fidelity vs. Idolatry**, a pervasive concern in Israel's history. This metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness, particularly in the context of worshipping other gods or adopting foreign practices, is a central warning found throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1-3 - Hosea's Marriage and Israel's Unfaithfulness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fringe (Hebrew, _tzitzit'_):** The Hebrew word צִיצִת (*tzitzit*) refers specifically to a tassel or fringe, particularly one with a blue cord, commanded to be worn on the four corners of the outer garment. It is more than just a decorative element; it is a divinely ordained symbol with a specific purpose. Its visual presence was meant to trigger remembrance and action, serving as a tangible link between the physical garment and the spiritual obligation to God's law.
* **Whoring (Hebrew, _zanah'_):** The verb זָנָה (*zanah*) literally means "to commit fornication" or "to be a harlot." In the Old Testament, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, particularly Israel's idolatry and turning away from Yahweh to worship other gods or rely on foreign alliances. Its use here underscores the severity of following one's own heart and eyes, equating such spiritual straying with the ultimate act of betrayal against the covenant relationship with God, akin to marital infidelity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be unto you for a fringe":** This clause establishes the purpose and nature of the *tzitzit*. It is not merely an accessory but a designated "fringe" (or tassel) with a specific, divinely appointed function within the life of the Israelite. It is a physical object imbued with spiritual significance.
* **"that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them":** This is the core purpose of the *tzitzit*. The act of "looking upon it" is intended to trigger "remembrance" of God's entire body of "commandments." Crucially, this remembrance is not passive; it is directly linked to the imperative to "do them," emphasizing that true remembrance must lead to active obedience and practical application of God's law in daily life.
* **"and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes":** This clause identifies the primary internal dangers that the *tzitzit* were meant to counteract. The "heart" represents the inner being, the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, while the "eyes" represent external perceptions and desires. The warning is against allowing one's internal inclinations and external sensory perceptions to dictate one's path, rather than God's revealed will. This highlights the inherent human propensity for self-direction and rebellion.
* **"after which ye use to go a whoring":** This final, stark phrase reveals the ultimate consequence of following one's own heart and eyes: spiritual unfaithfulness. The metaphor of "whoring" (spiritual adultery) signifies a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God, equating self-will and worldly desires with idolatry. It serves as a severe warning against the insidious nature of sin that draws one away from exclusive devotion to the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 15:39 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the physical *tzitzit* serves as a potent symbol for the entire body of God's commandments and the covenant relationship itself. By looking at the fringe, the Israelite was meant to recall the invisible spiritual truths it represented. Furthermore, the phrase "after which ye use to go a whoring" is a vivid **Metaphor** for spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. This strong imagery draws a parallel between physical adultery and Israel's spiritual betrayal of God, emphasizing the deep intimacy of the covenant relationship and the gravity of breaking it. The verse also utilizes a form of **Parallelism** by contrasting "remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them" with "seek not after your own heart and your own eyes," setting up a clear choice between divine obedience and self-willed rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:39 is a profound theological statement on the nature of covenant, obedience, and the human condition. It underscores God's wisdom in providing tangible aids for spiritual discipline, acknowledging humanity's propensity for forgetfulness and straying. The command for *tzitzit* reveals God's desire for a people whose lives are continually shaped by His word, not by their own fallen desires. It highlights the internal battle against sin, where the heart and eyes, if unchecked, lead to spiritual apostasy. This principle of constant remembrance and active obedience is foundational to biblical spirituality, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through a life lived in conscious submission to God's will, resisting the allure of the world and the deceitfulness of the human heart.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-9](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - The Shema and Remembering God's Commands")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific command to wear *tzitzit* is part of the Mosaic Law given to ancient Israel, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 15:39 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are called to cultivate an internal "fringe" – a deep, abiding internalization of God's Word that constantly reminds us of His commands and our covenant relationship with Him. This involves diligent study of Scripture, meditation, and prayer, allowing the Word to permeate our thoughts and intentions. Just as the *tzitzit* were a safeguard against spiritual wandering, we must vigilantly guard our hearts and eyes against the pervasive influences of a world that often pulls us away from God. This means exercising discernment in what we consume, where we direct our attention, and whose counsel we follow. Ultimately, the verse calls us not just to remember God's commands, but to "do them," emphasizing that genuine faith is expressed through active, conscious obedience that transforms our daily lives and demonstrates our exclusive devotion to the Lord, resisting any temptation to "go a whoring" after worldly idols or self-serving desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fringes" or tangible reminders of God's Word do I intentionally place in my daily life to prompt remembrance and obedience?**
* **In what ways do my "heart and eyes" tend to lead me astray from God's commands, and how can I better guard them?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate that I am not just a hearer of God's Word, but a doer of it?**
* **What "idols" or worldly desires might be subtly drawing my allegiance away from exclusive devotion to Christ?**

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

Answer: No, the New Testament does not command Christians to wear *tzitzit*. The Mosaic Law, including specific ceremonial and civil laws like the wearing of fringes, was given to ancient Israel as part of their covenant relationship with God. While the underlying principles of Numbers 15:39—such as remembering God's commands, guarding one's heart, and living in obedience—are eternally relevant, the physical requirement of the *tzitzit* is not part of the New Covenant. The New Testament teaches that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17), and believers are called to live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), with God's law written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). The emphasis shifts from external symbols to internal transformation and a living relationship with Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied and fulfilled all of God's commandments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 15:39, with its emphasis on remembrance, obedience, and guarding against spiritual unfaithfulness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the physical *tzitzit* served as a constant reminder of God's commands, Christ Himself is the living embodiment and perfect fulfillment of all God's law (Matthew 5:17). He perfectly remembered and perfectly obeyed the Father's will, never seeking "after His own heart and His own eyes," but always doing what pleased God (John 8:29). The warning against "whoring" after other gods points to the singular devotion required by God, a devotion perfectly modeled by Christ and made possible for believers through Him. In the New Testament, we see people seeking healing by touching the "hem" or fringe of Jesus' garment (Matthew 9:20; Mark 6:56), a poignant moment where the symbol of the Law's remembrance points to the One who brings its true power and salvation. Through Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to have God's law written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10), enabling us to truly remember, obey, and live in faithful devotion, no longer "whoring" after the world but living in exclusive covenant relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).

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

Psalms 106:39

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Psalms 73:27

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Ezekiel 6:9

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Proverbs 28:26

¶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Proverbs 3:1

¶ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.