Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest [thyself].
12. Of Knots or Tassels. G e dilm, lit. twisted threads, are to be put on the four borders of the quadrangular covering or outer garment (Deu 24:13, Exo 22:27). P (or H), Num 15:37-41, calls them th, and explains them as reminders of the commandments of their God, and their obligations, as holy to him, not to go a whoring. It is singular that D does not explain them as, with this meaning, they are analogous to the directions given in Deu 6:8, Deu 11:18. Among all peoples knots have been used as symbols of contracts, etc., and memorials (see also on Deu 18:11). These enjoined by the Law may be the successors of the armlets worn in a more primitive state of society. LXX, , and for iith, . Vesture, Heb. k e sth, lit. covering.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Compare Num 15:38 and its note.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. Fringes] See Clarke on Nu 15:38.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fringes, or laces, or strings; partly to bring the commands of God to their remembrance, as it is expressed, Num 15:38; and partly as a public profession of their nation and religion, whereby they might be discerned and distinguished from strangers, that so they might be more circumspect to behave themselves as became the people of God, and that they should not be ashamed to own their God and religion before all the world. Wherewith thou coverest thyself: these words are either restrictive to the upper garment, wherewith the rest were covered; or argumentative, why they should use these things, because herewith they might possibly fasten their garments, and prevent the uncovering themselves, as might easily happen, when they wore no breeches, but only loose garments.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. thou shalt make thee fringesupon the four quartersor, according to some eminent biblicalinterpreters, tassels on the coverlet of the bed. The preceptis not the same as Nu 15:38.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou shalt make thee fringes,…. Though a different word is here used from that in Nu 15:38, yet the same things are intended, and Onkelos translates both by one and the same word, and which is no other than a corruption of the Greek word used in Mt 23:5. Though there have been some, whom Aben Ezra takes notice of, who supposed that this is a law by itself, and to be observed in the night, as that in Nu 15:38 was in the day; but these he warmly opposes, and calls them liars:
upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself; upon the four skirts of the uppermost vesture, called Talith;
[See comments on Nu 15:38].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verse 12:
The garments worn by Israeli men were to be of distinctive design, different from those nations about them.
“Fringes,” gedilim, “wreaths” or tassels.
“Quarters,” kanaph, “wings,” also translate “corner,” Isa 11:12; Eze 7:2.
“Vesture,” kesuth, “a covering,” probably the outer tunic or robe which was worn over the “coat” or undergarment.
The outer robe or tunic appears to have been so made that a tassel was attached to each of the four corners, in front and in back.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
12. This also was a part of, or accessory to, chastity, to have regard to modesty in dress; for since the thighs were then without covering, a door was thus opened to many improprieties, if the upper garments were not closed, and many, as if by accident, would have abused this, if it had been allowed, as an incentive to licentiousness; for we see that many rush into such excesses of lasciviousness, as to glory in their shame. God, therefore, would have the flaps of their gowns thus drawn together by ties or latchets, that not even by chance could those parts be uncovered, which cannot be decently or modestly looked upon. But if divine provisions were made even with respect to their garments, so that the elect people should cultivate decency, and diligently guard against everything immodest, it is abundantly clear that not only were adulteries condemned, but whatever is repugnant to purity and chastity. This passage is improperly referred to the fringes which were sewed to their garments to renew the recollection of the Law, since decency and delicacy are here alone regarded.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) FRINGED GARMENTS (Deu. 22:12)
12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four borders of thy vestures, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:12
371.
Is Num. 15:37-41 a commentary on this verse?
372.
How was the purpose of this practice perverted? Cf. Mat. 23:5.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 22:12
12 You shall make yourselves tassels on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself. [Num. 15:37-40.].
COMMENT 22:12
The Hebrew word for fringe (gadil) occurs only in the plural in scripture. Gesenius has intertwined threads, twisted work. Baumgartner remarks that the basic meaning is twist firmly, and defines it tassel here. This definition is followed by most modern translators, as well as the I.S.B.E.
In Num. 15:37-41 this law is also given,[40] and note the purpose: as reminders of Gods commandments.
[40] A different Heb. word is used in Numbers, but it seems obvious that the same law is being discussed.
As in the case of the exhortation to keep Gods word ever before them (Deu. 6:6-9), the purpose and spirit of this exhortation was lost in the effort to be seen of men (see Mat. 23:5). The borders of their garments, rather than being reminders of Gods law, became reminders of their ostentation and pride. [Compare notes on Deu. 6:8.] Albert Barnes remarks, This fringe was commanded in order to distinguish them from other nations, and that they might remember to keep the commandments of God . . . The Pharisees made them broader than other people [i.e., even other Hebrews] wore them, to show that they had peculiar respect for the law.
These tassels are apparently what the woman with the issue of blood touched when she touched the border of Christs garment (Mat. 9:20), a gesture which also healed those who were sick in the area of Gennesaret (Mat. 14:34-36).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(12) Thou shalt make thee fringes.See Num. 16:32-41 for the origin of this requirement. We may call this fringe (or , Greek) on the four sides of the square shawl or mantle, a mourning for the one man who was executed for sabbath breaking in the wilderness, as well as a reminder to Israel to do all the commandments and be holy unto their God. Of this , when worn by our Lord on earth, the sick laid hold and were healed. His obedience and His suffering for the transgressions of Gods people are perfect and without flaw.
The principle of these precepts is evident. Even the dress of Gods people must be distinctive. And whether they eat or drink, or whatsoever they do, they must do all to the glory of God. These laws have a symbolical and a sanitary side; being made for the physical well-being as well as for the spiritual teaching of Gods people.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Thou shalt make thee fringes The word which our translators have rendered fringes might better be translated tassels. The outer garment was a rectangular piece of cloth, to the corners of which tassels were to be attached. Comp. Num 15:38; also Mat 23:5.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
A Fringe On The Robe ( Deu 22:12 ).
In Num 15:37-41 special tassels were to be a distinctive mark of the Israelite, and were to remind him of Yahweh’s commandments. Here that requirement is simply demanded without explanation. In Numbers it was part of the nation’s dedication to Yahweh.
Deu 22:12
‘ You shall make yourself tassels on the four borders of your robe with which you cover yourself.’
One purpose of the tassels was that the Israelite should look at them and remember all the commandments of Yahweh and do them (Num 15:37-41). Just as they could not do there own will with regard to these tassels, so neither could they do their own will with respect to the covenant. The robe would be worn by day and serve as a blanket by night. Thus the tassels would remind them constantly of Yahweh’s covenant by day and by night. They would also be a means by which Israelites could be identified by their clothing, and would thus recognise fellow Israelites abroad or in battle, and provide a quiet means of witness to outsiders. They were the badge of the members of the covenant. They were to be attached by a dark blue thread which made them distinctive, a sign of heaven (Num 15:38).
But this may include the idea that the tassels would hold the robe down and prevent a man’s nakedness being revealed. The Hebrew is literally ‘with which covering you cover yourself’, emphasising the covering aspect of the garment.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Deu 22:12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest [thyself].
Ver. 12. Wherewith thou coverest thyself. ] Ne in motu aliquid indecorum appareat; Lust and malice are sharp sighted. 2Sa 11:2 ; 2Sa 6:20
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 22:12
12You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.
Deu 22:12 In this context this probably continues the rejection of anything Canaanite. Israel was to have different worship, different God, different dress! In Num 15:37-41 these tassels have the added meaning of reminding the Israelites to keep and cherish the law. This same type of symbolism is reflected in the tallith (prayer shawl) of Jesus’ day. The garment referred to was a rectangular cloth used to cover the upper part of the person, especially during worship, prayer, and reading Scripture. It is unsure if the tassels were also required (or allowed) on women’s clothing. This may be another item related to cross-dressing (cf. Deu 22:5).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
fringes = twisted cords. In Mat 23:5 the Greek is craspeda, because hanging like locks of hair. Not the same as Num 15:38, which was ordained to distinguish Israel from the nations.
quarters. Hebrew “wings”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
fringes: Num 15:38, Num 15:39, Mat 23:5
quarters: Heb. wings
Reciprocal: Exo 39:26 – hem Mat 9:20 – hem Mar 6:56 – the border Luk 8:44 – touched
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 22:12. Fringes Or laces, or strings, partly to bring the commands of God to their remembrance, as it is expressed Num 15:38, and partly as a public profession of their nation and religion, whereby they might be distinguished from strangers, that so they might be more circumspect to behave as became the people of God, and that they should own their religion before all the world. Thou coverest thyself These words seem to confine the precept to the upper garment wherewith the rest were covered.