Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7410 phylactery

A leather box containing four sections of the law (Ex 11:13-21) written on parchment, and which Jewish men tied to the forehead and left arm (close to the heart) before morning prayers. The practice of wearing phylacteries arose, probably after the exile, from a literal interpretation by pious Jews of passages such as Ex 13:9.

The significance of wearing phylacteries

A reminder of God's deliverance

Exodus 13:11-16 See also Exodus 13:1-10

A reminder of God's requirements

Deuteronomy 11:13-21 Phylacteries, when worn, were to be an outward sign of the importance of taking God's word into the heart ; Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 3:1-3 See also Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 30:14; Romans 10:8; Deuteronomy 32:46; Psalm 37:31; Psalm 40:8; Proverbs 6:21; Proverbs 7:2-3; Jeremiah 31:33

A sign of allegiance and belonging

Isaiah 44:5; Revelation 7:3 See also Songs 8:6; Revelation 9:4; Revelation 14:1

The practice of wearing phylacteries

Matthew 23:5 Jesus Christ condemns the Pharisees for wearing phylacteries for outward show.

See also

1670  symbols
5012  heart
5035  mind
5375  law
7394  memorial