Lexical Summary
tsitsith: Tassel, fringe
Original Word:צִיצִת
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:tsiytsith
Pronunciation:tsee-tseeth
Phonetic Spelling:(tsee-tseeth')
KJV: fringe, lock
NASB:tassel, lock, tassels
Word Origin:[feminine ofH6731 (צִּיצּ צִּץ - Blossom)]
1. a floral or wing-like projection, i.e. a forelock of hair, a tassel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fringe, lock
Feminine oftsiyts; a floral or wing-like projection, i.e. A forelock of hair, a tassel -- fringe, lock.
see HEBREWtsiyts
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitiona tassel, lock
NASB Translationlock (1), tassel (2), tassels (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(√ dubious; Late Hebrew
id., so , Syriac
; compare Arabic
hair on forehead); — absolute
Numbers 15:38,39
tassel on flowing ends () of garments, construct
Numbers 15:38 (see Kennedy
Hast. DB ii. 69. FRINGES);
Ezekiel 8:3lock of hair on forehead.
see
I. (√ of following; compare
(
)become, attain to go; perhaps Sabean (Minaean) (cause to become),form HomChrest. 125); — on Hithpa`elJoshua 9:4 see .
Topical Lexicon
Overviewצִיצִת (tsitsit) designates the tassel or fringe fastened to the four corners of an Israelite’s outer garment. Instituted by divine command, its purpose was to provide a perpetual, visible reminder of covenant loyalty.
Biblical Mandate in the Torah
Numbers 15 presents the only legal passage concerning the tassel:
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them to make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to attach a cord of blue to the tassels on each corner. These tassels will serve as a reminder that you are to obey all My commandments and to be holy to your God.” (Numbers 15:38-39)
Key points:
• The command applies “throughout their generations,” signaling enduring relevance for Israel.
• The blue (tekhelet) thread sets the tassel apart, pointing to heavenly authority (compareExodus 24:10;Ezekiel 1:26).
• The tassel is an aid to memory and obedience, linking visible apparel to inner faithfulness.
Symbolism and Theological Themes
1. Memory: The tassel turns dress into a devotional prompt, guarding against forgetfulness (Deuteronomy 8:11).
2. Holiness: Israel is called to be “holy to your God” (Numbers 15:40). The fringe distinguishes God’s people from surrounding cultures.
3. Submission to God’s Word: The placement on garments keeps the Law “before the eyes,” reinforcing the Shema’s command to keep God’s words upon the heart (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).
4. Kingship of the LORD: The blue thread evokes the sanctuary veil and priestly garments (Exodus 26:31; 28:31-33), proclaiming that every Israelite life is lived in sacred service.
Liturgical and Daily Practice in Ancient Israel
• Garment: Likely the four-cornered outer cloak (simlah), large enough for the corners to be noticeable.
• Gender and social scope: The Torah addresses “the Israelites” collectively; later Jewish tradition applied the command particularly to men, yet the text itself does not restrict by gender or class.
• Daily rhythm: Because the cloak was worn almost constantly, the tassel functioned wherever the Israelite walked, worked, or worshiped.
• Later development: Post-exilic Judaism attached tassels to the tallit (prayer shawl) and interpreted details concerning knot count and windings, preserving continuity withNumbers 15.
Prophetic Echo in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 8:3 uses צִיצִת for “lock of hair”: “He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by a lock of my hair.” Though the setting differs, the vocabulary link underlines the prophetic pattern—God seizes His servant to reveal covenant breaches. The same root that reminds Israel of obedience in Numbers now highlights their disobedience in Ezekiel’s temple vision.
New Testament Resonance
The Greek kraspedon (“fringe”) in the Gospels reflects the Hebrew concept. People “begged Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed” (Matthew 14:36). The Messiah, perfectly obedient to Torah, wore the tassels; their contact became the point where faith met divine power (Matthew 9:20-22;Luke 8:44-48). Thus the tsitsit motif continues, affirming Scripture’s unity.
Ministry Application
• Visible reminders: Believers today may not be bound to the mosaic garment law, yet tangible cues—Scripture cards, symbols, or disciplined habits—can serve the same purpose of recalling God’s commands.
• Holiness in ordinary life: The tassel was worn in fields, markets, and homes, illustrating that sanctification extends beyond formal worship.
• Witness: As the tassel marked Israelites out among nations, consistent Christian conduct and modest outward testimony mark disciples of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:15).
• Compassionate outreach: The healing scenes around Jesus’ tassels encourage believers to make their daily walk a place where others can “touch” the grace of God.
Summary
צִיצִת embodies the union of fabric and faith, embedding remembrance of God’s Word into the very weave of daily life. From Sinai to the ministry of Jesus, its strands tie together themes of holiness, identity, and redemptive hope, demonstrating the seamless consistency of Scripture’s call to love and obey the LORD.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּצִיצִ֣ת בציצת לְצִיצִת֒ לציצת צִיצִ֛ת צִיצִ֥ת ציצת bə·ṣî·ṣiṯ bəṣîṣiṯ betziTzit lə·ṣî·ṣiṯ ləṣîṣiṯ letziTzit ṣî·ṣiṯ ṣîṣiṯ tziTzit
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