alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.
Parallel translations
- WEB a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.
- KJV A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
- NKJV a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around.
- NASB a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe.
- NLT The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The bells and pomegranates alternated all around the hem, one after another. This precise pattern combined sound and symbol of fruitfulness.
Overview
The regular alternation of golden bell and pomegranate ensured both that the priest's ministry was heard and that it symbolized life and fruit. The repetition emphasizes the orderliness God requires in worship. Beauty and audible witness marked the high priest's approach to God on behalf of the people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Song 2:3Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
- Song 8:2I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.
- Col 1:5–6the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
- Song 6:11I went down to the walnut grove to see the blossoms of the valley, to see if the vines were budding or the pomegranates were in bloom.
- John 15:4–8Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
- Song 4:13Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,
- Song 4:3Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon, and your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
- John 15:16You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- Col 1:10so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- Song 6:7Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
- Ps 89:15Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 28:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.