“And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet all around is hem, and bells of gold between them all around… And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when He comes out, that he may not die.” (Exodus 28:33-35).
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it… HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban. So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead… that they may be accepted before the LORD” (Exodus 28:36-38).
The hem of the High Priest’s robe had pomegranates around it. These may have been embroidered or woven. Some suggest “three-dimensional representations which were hung on the hem” (Coy D. Roper, Exodus, p. 463, General Editor Eddie Cloer). “The purpose, or intent, served by the pomegranates is uncertain… It is known, however, that pomegranates symbolized fruitfulness in the lands of the near east.” (Dr. Kin Chambliss, The Law of Moses, p. 76).
Spaced between these pomegranates were golden bells. Again, the purpose is not stated. Some suggests that this was to remind Israel of the separateness of God. Even the High Priest could not casually enter into God’s sacred space. His coming into the most holy place was to be audibly announced to all. The ESV Study Bible comments, “Approaching God carelessly can lead to death (19:21-25). Every aspect of the tabernacle service involves intention actions on the part of the priests and the people that are meant to teach Israel that the Lord is holy.” Others have suggested that this was also to remind Israelites that there was work being done that they could not see. Coy Roper comments, “One purpose the bells served was to enable the people to follow his activities, even though they could not see him, by listening to the ringing of the bells” (Roper, Exodus). The NIV Study Bible explains a Jewish tradition not found in Scripture: “According to Jewish tradition, one end of rope was tied to the High Priest’s ankle and the other end remained outside the tabernacle. If the bells on his robe stopped tinkling while he was in the Holy Place, the assumption that he had died could be tested by pulling gently on the rope.”
A turban or mitre was worn by the High Priest. On the turban, before the High Priest’s forehead, were the word “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” [Remember that over his heart and on his shoulders were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel].
APPLICATION
First, we have a High Priest. He is truly holy before the LORD and intercedes for us. He “is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). He will not die but continues forever in an unchangeable priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-25).
Second, while Christians are not High Priests, we are priests before God (1 Peter 2:5). We should approach God in reverence. “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:8). Furthermore, we should approach Him in worship in holiness (2 Timothy 4:8; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Peter 1:13-15).
About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.
Bells and Turbans
“And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet all around is hem, and bells of gold between them all around… And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when He comes out, that he may not die.” (Exodus 28:33-35).
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it… HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban. So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead… that they may be accepted before the LORD” (Exodus 28:36-38).
The hem of the High Priest’s robe had pomegranates around it. These may have been embroidered or woven. Some suggest “three-dimensional representations which were hung on the hem” (Coy D. Roper, Exodus, p. 463, General Editor Eddie Cloer). “The purpose, or intent, served by the pomegranates is uncertain… It is known, however, that pomegranates symbolized fruitfulness in the lands of the near east.” (Dr. Kin Chambliss, The Law of Moses, p. 76).
Spaced between these pomegranates were golden bells. Again, the purpose is not stated. Some suggests that this was to remind Israel of the separateness of God. Even the High Priest could not casually enter into God’s sacred space. His coming into the most holy place was to be audibly announced to all. The ESV Study Bible comments, “Approaching God carelessly can lead to death (19:21-25). Every aspect of the tabernacle service involves intention actions on the part of the priests and the people that are meant to teach Israel that the Lord is holy.” Others have suggested that this was also to remind Israelites that there was work being done that they could not see. Coy Roper comments, “One purpose the bells served was to enable the people to follow his activities, even though they could not see him, by listening to the ringing of the bells” (Roper, Exodus). The NIV Study Bible explains a Jewish tradition not found in Scripture: “According to Jewish tradition, one end of rope was tied to the High Priest’s ankle and the other end remained outside the tabernacle. If the bells on his robe stopped tinkling while he was in the Holy Place, the assumption that he had died could be tested by pulling gently on the rope.”
A turban or mitre was worn by the High Priest. On the turban, before the High Priest’s forehead, were the word “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” [Remember that over his heart and on his shoulders were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel].
APPLICATION
First, we have a High Priest. He is truly holy before the LORD and intercedes for us. He “is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). He will not die but continues forever in an unchangeable priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-25).
Second, while Christians are not High Priests, we are priests before God (1 Peter 2:5). We should approach God in reverence. “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:8). Furthermore, we should approach Him in worship in holiness (2 Timothy 4:8; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Peter 1:13-15).
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About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.