Exodus 39 25

Exodus 39:25 kjv

And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;

Exodus 39:25 nkjv

And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates:

Exodus 39:25 niv

And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates.

Exodus 39:25 esv

They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around the hem of the robe, between the pomegranates ?

Exodus 39:25 nlt

They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe,

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 25 Meaning

Exodus 39:25 describes the meticulous construction of the high priest's robe, specifically detailing the attachment of bells made of pure gold alternating with decorative pomegranates along its hem. This verse highlights the faithful execution of God's precise instructions for the priestly garments, which were essential for worship and sacred service in the Tabernacle.

Exodus 39 25 Context

Exodus chapter 39 is part of the extensive narrative detailing the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle and the fabrication of the priestly garments. This chapter, specifically verses 1-31, meticulously describes the making of the holy garments for Aaron and his sons, reiterating the instructions given in Exodus 28. Verse 25 falls within the section describing the "Robe of the Ephod," specifying how the golden bells and fabric pomegranates were intricately attached to its hem. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39 (appearing 7 times, and implied through repetition of commands) underscores the meticulous obedience and faithfulness to divine instruction that characterized this entire project. This work represented the physical manifestation of God's design for worship and His presence among His people, setting the stage for the formal institution of the Aaronic priesthood.

Exodus 39 25 Word analysis

• And they made: (wa·ya‘ă·śu) The verb ‘asah (עָשָׂה) signifies active creation, crafting, and performing. It emphasizes that skilled workers, empowered by God, meticulously fashioned these items in direct obedience to divine instruction, transforming raw materials into sacred objects.
• bells: (pa‘ă·mō·nim) The Hebrew word pa'amon (פַּעֲמֹן) refers to a small metal object that produces sound when moved. Here, its function was crucial: to signal the high priest's movements within the Holy Place, signifying his living presence and preventing his death (Exo 28:35). The sound marked the divine accessibility and the mediator's activity.
• of pure gold: (zahab tahor) Zahab (זָהָב) means "gold," and tahor (טָהוֹר) means "pure" or "clean." This specifies the quality of the gold, emphasizing its preciousness, incorruptibility, and holiness. Pure gold often symbolizes divinity, absolute purity, enduring value, and God's perfect standard in sacred contexts. It represents the unblemished nature required in divine service.
• and put: (way·yaś·śi·mu) The verb sum (שׂוּם) means "to place" or "to set." It implies intentional, precise, and orderly placement, crucial for sacred items according to divine design.
• the bells between the pomegranates: This describes the specific alternating pattern. It illustrates a harmonious balance and divine aesthetic: auditory bells contrasting with visual pomegranates. This meticulous arrangement underscores the divine attention to detail and order in worship.
• upon the hem: (‘al-šūl) The shuwl (שׁוּל) is the lower edge or border of a garment. The hem was the part of the robe that would come closest to the ground, potentially indicating interaction between the holy and the earthly, and providing the optimal position for the bells to be heard. It often marked the visible boundary or extension of the wearer's authority or presence.
• of the robe: (ham·me‘îl) The me'iyl (מְעִיל) refers to the Robe of the Ephod, a significant blue outer garment of the high priest. Its blue color symbolized the heavens, divinity, and purity. It was one of the central components of his unique attire for holy service.
• round about, between the pomegranates: (sa·ḇîḇ, bên ha·rim·mō·nîm) Saviv (סָבִיב) means "around" or "surrounding," indicating that the bells and pomegranates encircled the entire hem. Rimmon (רִמּוֹן) means "pomegranate," a fruit symbolic of fruitfulness, abundance, prosperity, life, and the beauty of creation. These ornamental pomegranates, made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn (Exo 28:33), complemented the golden bells, adding a visual richness and symbolic depth to the priest's holy attire.

Exodus 39 25 Bonus section

• The alternating pattern of bells and pomegranates symbolizes a perfect rhythm and balance—a dance of sound and sight—illustrating God's delight in order and beauty in worship.
• The placement on the "hem" (the outer, lower boundary of the garment) meant the sound of the priest's movement would be distinct and readily identifiable, proclaiming his office and announcing his entrance into and exit from sacred space.
• Typologically, the high priest and his adorned garments serve as a shadow pointing to Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest (Heb 9:11). While the earthly priest required bells to announce his presence and prevent death due to impurity, Christ, being eternally pure and without sin, "entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12). His presence before God requires no bells because His righteousness is eternal and His access absolute.
• The meticulous adherence to every detail for the Tabernacle and its sacred implements was a demonstration of unwavering faith and devotion by the Israelites. Their exact obedience reflected the serious nature of approaching a holy God.

Exodus 39 25 Commentary

Exodus 39:25 is more than a mere craft specification; it profoundly communicates the values of God's holy design and the nature of high priestly service. The detailed instructions and their faithful execution underline the paramount importance of divine order and human obedience in worship. The bells, made of pure gold, were not mere ornamentation. Their sound was a life-sustaining requirement (Exo 28:35), signaling the priest's active presence before the Lord in the Holy Place, assuring the people that their mediator was alive and fulfilling his sacred duty. This sound also acknowledged the divine holiness, requiring that the priest's movements be audible and sanctioned. The accompanying pomegranates, with their visual beauty and rich symbolism of fruitfulness and life, completed a multi-sensory portrayal of divine provision, blessings, and aesthetic pleasure. Together, they formed a unique and harmonious pattern: auditory (bells) and visual (pomegranates), each essential, depicting both the audible representation of priestly duty and the beautiful fruitfulness associated with divine service. This precise pairing foreshadows the holistic nature of God's redemptive work.