And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
NUMBERS 15:39KJVWhat does Numbers 15:39 mean?
Numbers 15:39 says that the Israelites were to wear a special fringe on their garments so they would see it, remember all the LORD’s commandments, and obey them, instead of following their own desires or being led astray by what they see. The verse warns against chasing after their own hearts and eyes, which had led them away from God before.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, telling him what the people of Israel should do as a reminder of their covenant with Him. The “fringe” was a physical sign meant to help the Israelites remember to live by God’s instructions, not by their own impulses or what looked appealing. The context is about setting up practical ways to keep God’s commandments at the forefront of daily life.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:39
- “Fringe” (צִיצִת, tsitsit): This word refers to the tassel or fringe that Israelites were commanded to attach to the corners of their garments. It was a visible reminder of their identity and responsibilities as God’s people.
- “Look” (רָאָה, ra’ah): The act of looking at the fringe was intentional, meant to trigger memory and reflection, not just a casual glance.
- “Remember” (זָכַר, zakar): This word means to actively recall or bring to mind. The command is not just to notice the fringe, but to let it prompt a conscious remembering of God’s commandments.
- “Whoring” (זָנָה, zanah): This strong term is often used for unfaithfulness, especially in a spiritual sense. Here, it describes turning away from God to follow one’s own desires, likened to unfaithfulness in a relationship.
Why Numbers 15:39 matters
- Numbers 15:39 clarifies that the purpose of religious symbols is not superstition or decoration, but to serve as practical reminders to live according to God’s ways.
- The verse highlights the human tendency to be led astray by personal desires (“heart”) and by what is attractive or tempting (“eyes”), showing the need for constant reminders.
- This instruction connects to the broader passage, where God is providing ways for the Israelites to stay faithful in everyday life, especially after past failures to keep His commandments.