In biblical times, tassels were an important part of the attire for the Israelites, serving both a practical and symbolic purpose. The Hebrew term for tassel is "tzitzit," and these were specifically commanded by God to be worn by the Israelites on the corners of their garments. The instruction for wearing tassels is found in the Torah, particularly in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Deuteronomy.

Biblical Commandment:

The primary biblical reference to tassels is found in Numbers 15:37-41 :

"The LORD also said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come, they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. These will serve as reminders that you are to obey all My commandments and will be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.'"

This passage highlights the purpose of the tassels: to serve as a physical reminder of God's commandments and the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The inclusion of a blue cord is significant, as blue is often associated with divinity and the heavens in biblical symbolism.

Further Instructions:

Deuteronomy 22:12 also reiterates the commandment regarding tassels:

"You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear."

This commandment emphasizes the importance of the tassels being on the four corners, symbolizing completeness and the encompassing nature of God's law.

Symbolism and Significance:

Tassels were not merely decorative; they held deep spiritual significance. They were a constant visual cue for the Israelites to remember their identity as God's chosen people and their obligation to live according to His laws. The blue thread woven into the tassels served as a reminder of the divine nature of these commandments and the holiness to which the Israelites were called.

New Testament References:

In the New Testament, tassels are mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. In Matthew 9:20-21 , a woman with a bleeding disorder reaches out to touch the "fringe" or "hem" of Jesus' garment, which likely refers to the tassels:

"Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak. She said to herself, 'If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.'"

This account underscores the continued presence and recognition of tassels in Jewish life during the time of Jesus. The woman's faith in touching the tassel of Jesus' garment reflects her belief in His divine authority and power to heal.

Cultural and Religious Practice:

Throughout Jewish history, the wearing of tassels has remained a significant practice, particularly among observant Jews. The tzitzit are traditionally attached to a garment known as a tallit, or prayer shawl, which is worn during prayer services. This practice serves as a continuation of the biblical commandment and a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people.

In summary, tassels in the Bible are a profound symbol of obedience, identity, and the divine covenant between God and the Israelites. They serve as a tangible reminder of the call to holiness and the importance of living in accordance with God's commandments.1. (n.) A male hawk. See Tercel.

2. (n.) A kind of bur used in dressing cloth; a teasel.

3. (n.) A pendent ornament, attached to the corners of cushions, to curtains, and the like, ending in a tuft of loose threads or cords.

4. (n.) The flower or head of some plants, esp. when pendent.

5. (n.) A narrow silk ribbon, or the like, sewed to a book to be put between the leaves.

6. (n.) A piece of board that is laid upon a wall as a sort of plate, to give a level surface to the ends of floor timbers; -- rarely used in the United States.

7. (v. i.) To put forth a tassel or flower; as, maize tassels.

8. (v. t.) To adorn with tassels.

TASSEL

tas'-'l (tsitsith): This word occurs only in Numbers 15:38 (Revised Version margin), which reads "tassels in the corners" for "fringes in the borders of their garments" (the King James Version).

It is probable that the dress of the Palestinian peasant has undergone little change in the centuries since the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. His outer garment, worn for protection against cold and rain, is the simlah of Exodus 22:26, now known as 'abayah by the Arabs. It is a square cloak, with unsewn spaces for armholes, and is composed of either three or four widths of woven stuff. The outer strips of the stuff, folded back and sewn at the upper edges, form shoulder-straps. It was to such a garment as this that the injunctions of Numbers 15:37-41 and of Deuteronomy 22:12 applied.

See FRINGES.

W. Shaw Caldecott

2899. kraspedon -- a border, tassel
... a border, tassel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kraspedon Phonetic
Spelling: (kras'-ped-on) Short Definition: the fringe, edge Definition: the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2899.htm - 6k6734. tsitsith -- a tassel, lock
... 6733, 6734. tsitsith. 6735 . a tassel, lock. Transliteration: tsitsith
Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-tseeth') Short Definition: tassel. ...
/hebrew/6734.htm - 6k

1434. gedil -- twisted threads
... fringe, wreath. From gadal (in the sense of twisting); thread, ie A tassel or festoon --
fringe, wreath. see HEBREW gadal. 1433, 1434. gedil. 1435 . ...
/hebrew/1434.htm - 6k

Letter V
... Received 1788, Died 1797 * Van Order, Harvey "Received 1829, Located 1836 * Van
Schoick, John "Received 1810, Died 1816 * Van Tassel, Truman "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter v.htm

Life Amongst the Upper Ten Thousand
... Ahead of us an outrider, dressed in a long gown, wore a hat of the inverted
bowl shape, decorated with a spreading scarlet tassel. ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xviii life amongst the.htm

Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
... Yet he was not to make a bell, a pomegranate, a tassel, a fringe, a curtain, or
any vessel of the sanctuary, except according to the pattern shown him. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 21 bethesda and the.htm

Tassel (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To put forth a tassel or flower; as, maize tassels. 8. (vt) To adorn
with tassels. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TASSEL. ...
/t/tassel.htm - 9k

Fringes (4 Occurrences)
... frin'-jis (tsitsith, "tassel, lock" (Numbers 15:38, 39), gedhilim, "twisted threads,"
"festoons" (Deuteronomy 22:12)): Tassels worn by the Israelites on the ...
/f/fringes.htm - 10k

Tassels (3 Occurrences)
... of Israel, and bid them that they make them tassels on the corners of their garments,
throughout their generations, and that they attach to the tassel of the ...
/t/tassels.htm - 7k

Hem (14 Occurrences)
... the King James Version (compare Matthew 14:36), where the woman "touched the hem
of his (Christ's) garment." The reference is to the fringe or tassel with its ...
/h/hem.htm - 12k

Outer (98 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His
outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health. (WEY). ...
/o/outer.htm - 37k

Lace (7 Occurrences)
... of Israel, and bid them that they make them tassels on the corners of their garments,
throughout their generations, and that they attach to the tassel of the ...
/l/lace.htm - 10k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... (1) The first word, tsitsith, means really a tassel, such as is worn by the Jews
on the four corners of the prayer-shawl or Tallith and on the 'arba` kanephoth ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... this: (KJV). Luke 8:44 came close behind Him and touched the tassel of His
robe; and instantly her flow of blood stopped. (WEY). Luke ...
/i/instantly.htm - 18k

Task-work (2 Occurrences)
Task-work. Taskwork, Task-work. Tassel . Multi-Version Concordance Task-work
(2 Occurrences). ... (See JPS). Taskwork, Task-work. Tassel . Reference Bible.
/t/task-work.htm - 6k

Robe (142 Occurrences)
... robe. (BBE). Luke 8:44 came close behind Him and touched the tassel of His
robe; and instantly her flow of blood stopped. (WEY BBE). ...
/r/robe.htm - 37k

What is a prayer shawl? | GotQuestions.org

Tassel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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