a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.
Parallel translations
- KJV A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
- 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, his fruit was sweet to my taste.
- Song 8:2I would lead you, bringing you into my mother’s house, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.
- Col 1:5–6because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,
- Song 6:11I went down into the nut tree grove, to see the green plants of the valley, to see whether the vine budded, and the pomegranates were in flower.
- John 15:4–8Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
- Song 4:13Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits: henna with spikenard plants,
- Song 4:3Your lips are like scarlet thread. Your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.
- John 15:16You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
- Col 1:10that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Song 6:7Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.
- Ps 89:15Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.