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Deuteronomy 22:12

Deuteronomy 22:12 in Multiple Translations

You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.

¶ Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four borders of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

On the four edges of your robe, with which your body is covered, put ornaments of twisted threads.

Put tassels on the hem of the cloak you use to cover yourself.

Thou shalt make thee fringes vpon the foure quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou couerest thy selfe.

'Fringes thou dost make to thee on the four skirts of thy covering with which thou dost cover [thyself].

You shall make yourselves fringes on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself.

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, with which thou coverest thyself .

Thou shalt make strings in the hem at the four corners of thy cloak, wherewith thou shalt be covered.

“Twist threads together to make tassels and sew/fasten them on the four bottom corners of your cloak.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 22:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 22:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB גְּדִלִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂה לָּ֑/ךְ עַל אַרְבַּ֛ע כַּנְפ֥וֹת כְּסוּתְ/ךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּכַסֶּה בָּֽ/הּ
גְּדִלִ֖ים gᵉdil H1434 tassel N-mp
תַּעֲשֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
לָּ֑/ךְ Prep | Suff
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
אַרְבַּ֛ע ʼarbaʻ H702 four Adj
כַּנְפ֥וֹת kânâph H3671 wing N-fp
כְּסוּתְ/ךָ֖ kᵉçûwth H3682 covering N-fs | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel
תְּכַסֶּה kâçâh H3680 to cover V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
בָּֽ/הּ Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 22:12

גְּדִלִ֖ים gᵉdil H1434 "tassel" N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a tassel or thread, often used to decorate clothes or columns. It is also translated as 'fringe' or 'wreath' in the KJV. In the Bible, it is used to describe the decorations on priestly garments.
Definition: 1) twisted threads, tassels, festoons 1a) tassels (on clothes) 1b) festoons (on capitals of columns)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fringe, wreath. See also: Deuteronomy 22:12; 1 Kings 7:17.
תַּעֲשֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָּ֑/ךְ "" Prep | Suff
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אַרְבַּ֛ע ʼarbaʻ H702 "four" Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
כַּנְפ֥וֹת kânâph H3671 "wing" N-fp
The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.
Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.
כְּסוּתְ/ךָ֖ kᵉçûwth H3682 "covering" N-fs | Suff
A covering can also refer to a garment or clothing that is used to cover the body, as seen in many biblical descriptions of dress. It can also be used figuratively to describe a veiling or a concealment of something, such as a secret or a hidden truth. The Bible often uses this term to describe the clothing of important figures.
Definition: 1) covering, clothing 1a) covering, clothing 1b) covering (for concealment)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: covering, raiment, vesture. See also: Genesis 20:16; Job 24:7; Isaiah 50:3.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תְּכַסֶּה kâçâh H3680 "to cover" V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
To cover something means to fill up hollows or hide something from view, as seen in many biblical stories. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, such as to cover oneself with clothing or to conceal something for protection. It can also mean to overwhelm or spread over something.
Definition: 1) to cover, conceal, hide 1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cover, clothe 1c2) to cover, conceal 1c3) to cover (for protection) 1c4) to cover over, spread over 1c5) to cover, overwhelm 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be covered 1d2) to be clothed 1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare H3780 (כָּשָׂה). See also: Genesis 7:19; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:5.
בָּֽ/הּ "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 22:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
2 Numbers 15:37–41 Later, the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. Then you will remember and obey all My commandments, and you will be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.”

Deuteronomy 22:12 Summary

This verse is talking about a special tradition where people would wear a cloak with tassels on the four corners to remind themselves to follow God's commands. It's like wearing a badge or a symbol that says, 'I'm a follower of God!' (see Numbers 15:37-41). Just like how we might wear a cross or a Christian t-shirt to show our faith, the Israelites wore these tassels to remember to obey God's laws. By doing so, they were able to stay focused on their relationship with God and live according to His will (Deuteronomy 6:8).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of making tassels on the four corners of a cloak?

The tassels, also known as tzitzit, serve as a reminder to obey God's commands, as seen in Numbers 15:37-41, and to identify oneself as a follower of God, similar to the concept in Exodus 13:9 and Deuteronomy 6:8.

Is this command only for the Israelites or does it apply to Christians today?

While this specific command was given to the Israelites, the principle of remembering and obeying God's commands applies to all believers, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40 and Luke 10:27, where Jesus teaches about loving God and loving one's neighbor.

What kind of cloak is being referred to in this verse?

The cloak being referred to is likely a traditional Jewish garment, similar to a tallit, which was worn for prayer and other religious occasions, as mentioned in Matthew 9:20 and Luke 8:44.

How does this command relate to other Old Testament laws and regulations?

This command is part of a larger collection of laws and regulations in Deuteronomy 22, which aim to promote purity, holiness, and obedience to God's commands, as seen in Leviticus 19:19 and Ezekiel 18:4.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can remind myself to obey God's commands on a daily basis, just like the tassels on the cloak?
  2. How can I apply the principle of identifying myself as a follower of God in my own life and community?
  3. What are some specific commands or teachings from Scripture that I need to remember and obey, and how can I incorporate them into my daily life?
  4. In what ways can I use my clothing or other aspects of my appearance to reflect my faith and values, without being overly focused on external appearances?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 22:12

Thou shalt make thee fringes,.... Though a different word is here used from that in Numbers 15:38, yet the same things are intended, and Onkelos translates both by one and the same word, and which is

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 22:12

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:12

Fringes, or laces, or strings; partly to bring the commands of God to their remembrance, as it is expressed, ; 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.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:12

Deuteronomy 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.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:12

(12) Thou shalt make thee fringes.—See Numbers 16:32-41 for the origin of this requirement. We may call this fringe (or κράςπεδον, 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 κράςπεδον, when worn by our Lord on earth, the sick laid hold and were healed. His obedience and His suffering for the transgressions of God’s people are perfect and without flaw. The principle of these precepts is evident. Even the dress of God’s 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 God’s people.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:12

Verse 12. Fringes] See Clarke on Numbers 15:38.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 22:12

12. Of Knots or Tassels. Gedilξm, lit. twisted threads, are to be put on the four borders of the quadrangular covering or outer garment (Deuteronomy 24:13, Exodus 22:27). P (or H), Numbers 15:37-41, calls them Ṣ ?ξṣ ?ξth, 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 Deuteronomy 6:8, Deuteronomy 11:18. Among all peoples knots have been used as symbols of contracts, etc., and memorials (see also on Deuteronomy 18:11). These enjoined by the Law may be the successors of the armlets worn in a more primitive state of society. LXX, στρεπτά, and for ṣ ?iṣ ?ith, κράσπεδα. Vesture, Heb. kesϋth, lit. covering.

Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 22:12

Compare Numbers 15:38 and its note.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:12

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.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 22:12

SermonDescription
J. Sidlow Baxter His Chosen People by J. Sidlow Baxter In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of fully surrendering to Christ after conversion. They encourage the audience to yield their souls, bodies, minds, and brains
Alistair Begg Father by Alistair Begg In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not treating people in a disservice by reinforcing the notion that God is their father and sending them home happy. However
Anton Bosch Blue Ribbons by Anton Bosch This sermon delves into the importance of keeping our focus on God and heavenly things, drawing parallels from the Old Testament examples of the Israelites lusting after worldly th
Shane Idleman 7 Traits of a Pharisee - Part 1 by Shane Idleman This sermon delves into the traits of Pharisees as outlined in Matthew 23, emphasizing the dangers of hypocrisy, seeking recognition, and leading others astray. It highlights the i
Zac Poonen Pharisees Think That Holiness Is in the Style of One's Clothes by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen preaches about the Pharisees' tendency to focus on outward appearances, such as lengthening their tassels and broadening their phylacteries, to appear holier than others
David Servant Day 23, Matthew 23 by David Servant David Servant preaches on the characteristics of the scribes and Pharisees, warning against hypocrisy, love for money, false teachings, and seeking titles and recognition. He empha
Dean Stump Essential Remembering by Dean Stump In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping the commandments of the Lord. He shares a personal anecdote about his son's busy schedule and encourages the audien

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