Bible Strands
Exodus 28:34
alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God gives Moses specific construction instructions for the high priest’s garment while detailing the tabernacle furnishings. The command focuses on the arrangement of decorative elements along the lower edge of the robe.
The words — The verse specifies פַּעֲמֹן (pa'amon, "bell") and זָהָב (zahab, "gold") paired with רִמּוֹן (rimmon, "pomegranate"), positioned alternately upon the שׁוּלָה (shulah, "hem"). The supplied context clarifies that only the bells are made of gold, while the pomegranates consist of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
The thread — The alternating bell-and-fruit pattern is confined to the priestly robe instructions (Exodus 28:33–34). The pomegranate motif reappears in poetic imagery (Song of Solomon 4:3), and the emphasis on audible sound in sacred movement parallels the description of walking in God’s presence (Psalm 89:15).
Why it lands — The text mandates a precise physical arrangement to produce sound during the priest’s sanctuary movements, requiring the reader to observe how material design establishes a functional boundary for ritual service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Cross-references
- Psalms 89:15 Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
- Song of Solomon 2:3 Like 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 of Solomon 4:3 Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon, and your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
- Song of Solomon 4:13 Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,
- Song of Solomon 6:7 Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
- Song of Solomon 6:11 I 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.
- Song of Solomon 8:2 I 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.
- John 15:4 Remain 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.
- John 15:16 You 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.
- Colossians 1:5 the 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