Exodus 28:33
New International Version
Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.

New Living Translation
Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.

English Standard Version
On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them,

Berean Standard Bible
Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,

King James Bible
And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

New King James Version
And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

New American Standard Bible
You shall make on its hem pomegranates of violet, purple, and scarlet material all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

NASB 1995
“You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

NASB 1977
“And you shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:

Amplified Bible
You shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric all around its hem, with gold bells between them;

Christian Standard Bible
Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on its lower hem and all around it. Put gold bells between them all the way around,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on its lower hem and all around it. Put gold bells between them all the way around,

American Standard Version
And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

English Revised Version
And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All around the hem of the robe make pomegranates of violet, purple, and bright red yarn with gold bells in between-

International Standard Version
On its hem you are to make blue and purple and scarlet pomegranates, all around the skirt, with gold bells between them all the way around.

Majority Standard Bible
Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,

NET Bible
You are to make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet all around its hem and bells of gold between them all around.

New Heart English Bible
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:

Webster's Bible Translation
And beneath, upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about its hem; and bells of gold between them around it.

World English Bible
On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, all around its hem; with bells of gold between and around them:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have made on its hem pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, on its hem all around, and bells of gold in their midst all around;

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou hast made on its hem pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, on its hem round about, and bells of gold in their midst round about;

Smith's Literal Translation
And make upon its train, pomegranates of cerulean purple, and red purple, and double scarlet, upon its train round about; and bells of gold in the midst of them round about.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And beneath at the feet of the same tunick round about, thou shalt make as it were pomegranates, of violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, with little bells set between:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, beneath it, at the base of the same tunic, all around, you shall make something like pomegranates, from hyacinth, and purple, and twice-dyed scarlet, with little bells set in their midst.

New American Bible
At the hem at the bottom you shall make pomegranates, woven of violet, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen twined, with gold bells between them;

New Revised Standard Version
On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And on the hem of it you shall make pomegranates of blue and of purple and of scarlet round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold shall be between them round about:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And make on its hem, pomegranates of blue and purple, and dye of scarlet on its hem, encircling, and bells of gold encircling between them:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And under the fringe of the robe below thou shalt make as it were pomegranates of a flowering pomegranate tree, of blue, and purple, and spun scarlet, and fine linen spun, under the fringe of the robe round about: golden pomegranates of the same shape, and bells round about between these.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Additional Priestly Garments
32with an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening shall be a woven collar with an opening like that of a garment, so that it will not tear. 33Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them, 34alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.…

Cross References
Leviticus 8:7-9
He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. / Moses also put the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the holy diadem, on the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded him.

Exodus 39:24-26
They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen on the lower hem of the robe. / They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates, / alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 15:38-39
“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. / 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.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Revelation 1:13
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 19:8
She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Psalm 133:2
It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.

Ezekiel 44:17-18
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. / They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.

1 Samuel 2:18
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.

2 Chronicles 5:12
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.

Zechariah 3:4
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”

Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.


Treasury of Scripture

And beneath on the hem of it you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

and

Exodus 39:24-26
And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen

hem or skirts.

1 Kings 7:18
And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

2 Kings 25:17
The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

bells

Zechariah 14:20
In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Jump to Previous
Bells Beneath Blue Fruits Gold Hem Material Midst Pomegranates Purple Red Robe Round Scarlet Skirts Stuff Thereof Yarn
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Bells Beneath Blue Fruits Gold Hem Material Midst Pomegranates Purple Red Robe Round Scarlet Skirts Stuff Thereof Yarn
Exodus 28
1. Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
2. Holy garments are appointed
6. The ephod and girdle
15. The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
30. The Urim and Thummim
31. The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
36. The plate of the mitre
39. The embroidered coat
40. The garments for Aaron's sons














Make pomegranates
The instruction to "make pomegranates" is significant in its symbolic and aesthetic value. The pomegranate, in ancient Near Eastern culture, was a symbol of fertility, abundance, and blessing. In the Hebrew context, it also represented the law and the commandments, as the fruit is said to have 613 seeds, corresponding to the 613 mitzvot or commandments in the Torah. The use of pomegranates in the priestly garments underscores the idea of fruitfulness and the abundance of God's provision and law.

of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn
The colors "blue, purple, and scarlet" are rich with meaning and were highly valued in ancient times. Blue (Hebrew: תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet) is often associated with divinity and the heavens, symbolizing the divine nature and authority of God. Purple (Hebrew: אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) was a color of royalty and nobility, indicating the priest's role as a mediator between God and His people. Scarlet (Hebrew: שָׁנִי, shani) represents sacrifice and redemption, pointing to the blood of sacrifices and ultimately to the sacrifice of Christ. These colors woven into the priestly garments remind us of the multifaceted nature of God's covenant with His people—His divine authority, His royal kingship, and His redemptive plan.

around the lower hem
The "lower hem" of the garment is significant as it represents the boundary or the edge of the priestly robe. In ancient cultures, the hem of a garment often symbolized authority and identity. By adorning the hem with pomegranates and bells, the garment is marked as sacred and set apart for holy service. This placement also ensures that the priest's every movement is accompanied by a reminder of his consecration and the presence of God.

with gold bells between them
The "gold bells" serve both a practical and symbolic purpose. Practically, the sound of the bells would announce the priest's movements, especially as he entered the Holy of Holies, ensuring that he was not entering unannounced into the presence of God. Symbolically, gold (Hebrew: זָהָב, zahav) represents purity, divinity, and value. The bells, made of gold, signify the purity and holiness required of the priest as he ministers before the Lord. The alternating pattern of pomegranates and bells creates a rhythm of sound and silence, symbolizing the balance of God's law (pomegranates) and His presence (bells) in the life of His people.

(33) Pomegranates.--The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in Assyria, but not in Egypt. It appears from Joshua 7:21 that the fabrics of Babylon were carried by the merchants into Syria at a date not much later than this, whence we may conclude that they circulated also in Arabia and Egypt.

Bells of gold.--The bell is also more Assyrian than Egyptian. Its use as an article of priestly costume has no direct parallel, nor are bells known to have been employed in the religious services of any ancient nation. The statement that Persian kings wore bells rests upon no sufficient authority. We seem to have here the introduction of an entirely new religious usage.

Verse 33. - Upon the hem of it. Literally "at its edge" Pomegranates. Tassels in the shape of pomegranates, of three colours, seem to be intended. An ornament of the kind is common in Assyria, but not in Egypt. Bells of gold between them. The bell is not often found in Egypt, and seems certainly not to have born in common use there. It was, however. often hung round the necks of horses in Assyria (Ancient Monarchies, vol. it. pp. 8, 14, 15, 27), and is so simple an object that its invention was probably very early. The Assyrian bells are shaped almost exactly like our own. as are the classical ones.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Make
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ (wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

pomegranates
רִמֹּנֵי֙ (rim·mō·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7416: A pomegranate, the tree, the fruit

of blue,
תְּכֵ֤לֶת (tə·ḵê·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

purple,
וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ (wə·’ar·gā·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 713: Purple, red-purple

and scarlet yarn
וְתוֹלַ֣עַת (wə·ṯō·w·la·‘aṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8438: The crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

all the way around the lower
סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

hem,
שׁוּלָ֗יו (šū·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7757: A skirt, a bottom edge

with gold
זָהָ֛ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

bells
וּפַעֲמֹנֵ֥י (ū·p̄a·‘ă·mō·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6472: Bell (on high priest's robe)

between
בְּתוֹכָ֖ם (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

them,
סָבִֽיב׃ (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around


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OT Law: Exodus 28:33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 28:32
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