Bible Dictionary
TASSEL
Tassels were cords or fringes attached to the corners of an Israelite’s outer garment. The Lord commanded them as a visible reminder to remember and obey His commandments.
Definition
Tassels were cords or fringes attached to the corners of an Israelite’s outer garment. The Revised Version uses “tassels in the corners” where the King James Version has “fringes in the borders.”
Biblical Usage
The Lord commanded these tassels as part of the garment regulations given to Israel. They served as visible reminders to remember and obey His commandments.
Historical Background
The garment was a square outer cloak, similar to the Palestinian peasant’s protective cloak, with openings for the arms and woven shoulder straps. The instructions applied to this type of garment.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>tas'-'l (tsitsith): This word occurs only in Nu 15:38 (Revised Version margin), which reads "tassels in the corners" for "fringes in the borders of their garments" (the King James Version).</p><p>It is probable that the dress of the Palestinian peasant has undergone little change in the centuries since the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. His outer garment, worn for protection against cold and rain, is the simlah of Ex 22:26, now known as 'abayah by the Arabs. It is a square cloak, with unsewn spaces for armholes, and is composed of either three or four widths of woven stuff. The outer strips of the stuff, folded back and sewn at the upper edges, form shoulder-straps. It was to such a garment as this that the injunctions of Nu 15:37-41 and of De 22:12 applied.</p><p>See FRINGES.</p><p>W. Shaw Caldecott</p>