A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Parallel translations
- WEB a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.
- BSB alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.
- 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 2:3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
- Song 8:2I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
- Col 1:5–6For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
- Song 6:11I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
- John 15:4–8Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
- Song 4:13Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
- Song 4:3Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
- John 15:16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
- Col 1:10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Song 6:7As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
- Ps 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
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.