A fringe of twisted threads attached to the bottom edge of Israelite men's cloaks. The Pharisees lengthened the tassels on their cloaks to draw attention to their piety.
Tassels attached to outer garments
On the corners of garments
Numbers 15:38 See also Deuteronomy 22:12
“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.
On the cloak of Jesus Christ
Matthew 9:20 parallels Mark 5:27, Luke 8:44 The woman probably touched the tassels on Jesus Christ's cloak. See also Matthew 14:36 parallel Mark 6:56
Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak.
Tassels as a reminder of God's law
Numbers 15:39–41 The movement of the tassels would draw back wandering eyes to God and his law.
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.”
Ostentatious tassels symbolise outward religious show
Matthew 23:5–7 parallels Mark 12:38–39, Luke 20:46 See also Matthew 6:1–6
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.