Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7462 tassel

A fringe of twisted threads attached to the bottom edge of Israelite men's cloaks. The Pharisees lengthened the tassels on their cloaks to draw attention to their piety.

Tassels attached to outer garments

On the corners of garments

Numbers 15:38 See also Deuteronomy 22:12

On the cloak of Jesus Christ

Matthew 9:20 pp Mark 5:27 pp Luke 8:44 The woman probably touched the tassels on Jesus Christ's cloak. See also Matthew 14:36 pp Mark 6:56

Tassels as a reminder of God's law

Numbers 15:39-41 The movement of the tassels would draw back wandering eyes to God and his law.

Ostentatious tassels symbolise outward religious show

Matthew 23:5-7 pp Mark 12:38-39 pp Luke 20:46 See also Matthew 6:1-6

See also

1670  symbols
4807  colours
5144  cloak
5375  law
7394  memorial
7410  phylactery
7550  Pharisees
8453  obedience
8467  reminders
8670  remembering
8767  hypocrisy