Exodus 28:33 - On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them:
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What does "Exodus 28:33" mean?
Exodus 28:33 describes a specific detail of the High Priest's robe (the ephod wasn't what this verse refers to, but rather the me'il, or robe of the ephod) in the Old Testament. Let's break down the verse and its possible meanings:
"On its hem you shall make pomegranates..." The hem of the High Priest's robe was to be adorned with decorative pomegranates.
"...of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet..." The pomegranates were to be made of (or decorated with) threads dyed in these three colors. These colors were significant in ancient Israel and often associated with royalty, divinity, and wealth.
"...around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them:" Alternating with the pomegranates, golden bells were to be attached to the hem of the robe. So the sequence would be pomegranate, bell, pomegranate, bell, and so on, all around the bottom edge of the robe.
Significance and Interpretation:
Pomegranates: Pomegranates were a common symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity in the ancient Near East. Their inclusion likely symbolized the hope for blessing and fruitfulness for the people of Israel through the High Priest's service.
Colors (Blue, Purple, Scarlet): These colors were expensive to produce and associated with royalty, divinity, and status. Their use emphasized the sacredness and importance of the High Priest's role.
Bells: The purpose of the bells is explained in the following verse (Exodus 28:35): "And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he will not die." Therefore:
To Announce the High Priest's Presence: The bells signaled the High Priest's entry into and exit from the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle/Temple where God's presence was especially felt). The sound served as a reminder of the reverence due to God and the importance of proper protocol.
To Ensure the High Priest's Safety: The verse explicitly states "so that he will not die." There are various interpretations of this:
Symbolic Cleansing: The bells might have represented a symbolic cleansing or purification, ensuring the High Priest was properly prepared to enter God's presence.
Confirmation of Acceptance: The sound of the bells could have served as a sign that the High Priest's offerings and prayers were accepted by God. Silence might have indicated a problem.
Protection from Presumption: Some believe the bells prevented the High Priest from becoming too presumptuous in God's presence. He was always reminded of his role as an intermediary.
In Summary:
This verse describes a very specific and symbolic design element of the High Priest's robe. The pomegranates and the costly colors symbolized blessing and divine favor. The bells served a practical and perhaps a more spiritually significant function, announcing the High Priest's presence in the Holy Place and, according to tradition, ensuring his safety and acceptance before God. The overall effect was to emphasize the sacredness and importance of the High Priest's role in mediating between God and the people of Israel.
Exodus 28:33 - On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them:
What does "Exodus 28:33" mean?
Exodus 28:33 describes a specific detail of the High Priest's robe (the ephod wasn't what this verse refers to, but rather the me'il, or robe of the ephod) in the Old Testament. Let's break down the verse and its possible meanings:
"On its hem you shall make pomegranates..." The hem of the High Priest's robe was to be adorned with decorative pomegranates.
"...of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet..." The pomegranates were to be made of (or decorated with) threads dyed in these three colors. These colors were significant in ancient Israel and often associated with royalty, divinity, and wealth.
"...around its hem; and bells of gold between and around them:" Alternating with the pomegranates, golden bells were to be attached to the hem of the robe. So the sequence would be pomegranate, bell, pomegranate, bell, and so on, all around the bottom edge of the robe.
Significance and Interpretation:
Pomegranates: Pomegranates were a common symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity in the ancient Near East. Their inclusion likely symbolized the hope for blessing and fruitfulness for the people of Israel through the High Priest's service.
Colors (Blue, Purple, Scarlet): These colors were expensive to produce and associated with royalty, divinity, and status. Their use emphasized the sacredness and importance of the High Priest's role.
Bells: The purpose of the bells is explained in the following verse (Exodus 28:35): "And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he will not die." Therefore:
To Announce the High Priest's Presence: The bells signaled the High Priest's entry into and exit from the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle/Temple where God's presence was especially felt). The sound served as a reminder of the reverence due to God and the importance of proper protocol.
To Ensure the High Priest's Safety: The verse explicitly states "so that he will not die." There are various interpretations of this:
Symbolic Cleansing: The bells might have represented a symbolic cleansing or purification, ensuring the High Priest was properly prepared to enter God's presence.
Confirmation of Acceptance: The sound of the bells could have served as a sign that the High Priest's offerings and prayers were accepted by God. Silence might have indicated a problem.
Protection from Presumption: Some believe the bells prevented the High Priest from becoming too presumptuous in God's presence. He was always reminded of his role as an intermediary.
In Summary:
This verse describes a very specific and symbolic design element of the High Priest's robe. The pomegranates and the costly colors symbolized blessing and divine favor. The bells served a practical and perhaps a more spiritually significant function, announcing the High Priest's presence in the Holy Place and, according to tradition, ensuring his safety and acceptance before God. The overall effect was to emphasize the sacredness and importance of the High Priest's role in mediating between God and the people of Israel.