"And it shall be unto you for a fringe" -- part 1

We find an interesting command in Numbers 15, given by God to Moses. 

38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

39 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:

40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. (Numbers 15)

As usual, if we study the underlying Hebrew and make connections to other passages of scripture we deepen the message. This post will attempt to do that by pointing out some symbolic context, then noting Hebrew wordplay which would be missed in the English. At the conclusion of this post, we'll make a comparison to similar symbolism found in our modern temple worship.

Symbolic context

Although at first glance it might seem random for the Israelites to be required to make fringes with ribbons (also translated as 'tassels') on the edges of their garments, the symbolism makes sense in context.

Blue lace is used to attach the high priest's gold head plate in Exodus 28:36 and Exodus 39:30.

Wordplay

The word for tassel and plate, though distinct, sound very similar, suggesting wordplay is at work in this command. 

The point of this appears to lie in a play on the words ẓîẓîth (‘tassel’) and ẓîẓ ... of the diadem (R.V. ‘plate’) on the high priest’s forehead. ‘a shining thing,’ ‘an ornament.’ The tassels are not to be superstitious charms but striking ornaments, which will constantly catch the wearer’s eye, and act as a religious reminder. (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)

The blue lace used to attach the gold plate to the head of the high priest (see Exodus 39:30) is evoked by the blue thread on the fringe of the Israelite garments. The words are similar in sound, too. The wordplay makes sense. The tassel ('zizith') is intended to remind the wearer of the plate ('ziz') worn by the high priest, upon which is engraved the words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

Blue is also likely intended as a symbol of heaven:

The tasseled Hebrew was a marked man in other eyes, and in his own; he could not pass himself off as one of the heathen; he was perpetually reminded of the special relation in which he stood to the Lord, whose ... colours - he wore. No doubt the sky-blue string or thread which was so prominent was meant to remind him of heaven, and of the God of heaven. ... The trivial but striking peculiarity of their dress should recall them to the thought that they were a peculiar people, holy to the Lord. (Pulpit Commentary)

Modern symbolism

We don't wear blue fringes with tassels on our garments as members of the church, but some orthodox Jews continue this tradition.

We have similar symbolism in the form of the temple garment, which serves as a reminder of the covenants entered in to in the temple, upon each of which which is also engraved the words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

(source)

In the next post, we'll make a comparison to Helaman 13 and the warning of Samuel the Lamanite, centered on the phrase "seek not after your own heart and your own eyes." We'll also explore an intriguing connection to another well-known Old Testament story found two chapters after this commandment.