{
  "id": "dict_002059",
  "term": "Fringe",
  "slug": "fringe",
  "letter": "F",
  "entry_type": "biblical_custom",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The tassels Israelites were commanded to wear on the corners of their garments as a visible reminder to remember and obey the Lord’s commandments.",
  "simple_one_line": "A garment tassel in the Old Testament that reminded Israel to live in covenant obedience.",
  "tooltip_text": "Biblical fringe refers to the tassels or cords attached to Israelite garments, especially as a reminder of God’s commandments.",
  "aliases": [
    "Fringe (Tassels)"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Garment",
    "Holiness",
    "Law of Moses",
    "Tassels",
    "Remembrance"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Numbers 15:37–41",
    "Deuteronomy 22:12",
    "Matthew 23:5"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "In the Old Testament, fringe refers to the tassels Israel was instructed to attach to the corners of their garments. These tassels served as a reminder to remember the Lord’s commandments and live in holiness.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A commanded garment tassel in the Mosaic law that symbolized remembrance, obedience, and covenant faithfulness.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Commanded for Israel under the Law of Moses",
    "Served as a visual reminder of God’s commands",
    "Connected to holiness and covenant loyalty",
    "In the Gospels, the related garment edge/tassel language appears in scenes of healing faith",
    "Not treated in Scripture as a magical object"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Fringe usually refers to the tassels or cords attached to the corners of Israelite garments under the Mosaic law (Num. 15:37–41; Deut. 22:12). These tassels were intended to remind God’s people to remember his commandments and live in holiness. Related Gospel passages use the same general garment-edge language when people touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment.",
  "description_academic_full": "In Scripture, fringe commonly refers to the tassels or cords attached to the corners of garments, especially as commanded in the Mosaic law. Numbers 15:37–41 and Deuteronomy 22:12 present this feature as a visible reminder for Israel to remember the Lord’s commandments, resist unfaithfulness, and live in covenant holiness. In the Gospels, related language refers to the edge or tassel of a garment, including scenes in which people touched the fringe of Jesus’ cloak in faith. The object has genuine biblical significance, but it is best understood as a covenant reminder and cultural-religious practice rather than as a central theological doctrine.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The command for tassels appears in the wilderness context after Israel’s repeated failures. The fringe functioned as a reminder that God’s people belonged to him and were to keep his words before their eyes and hearts.",
  "background_historical_context": "Garment tassels were a recognizable feature in the ancient Near East, but Scripture gives them a specific covenant purpose for Israel. In later Jewish practice, tassels remained associated with remembrance of the Law.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In Second Temple and later Jewish life, tassels continued to symbolize obedience and identity as a covenant people. The New Testament references assume this background when speaking of the fringe of a garment.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Numbers 15:37–41",
    "Deuteronomy 22:12"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Matthew 9:20–21",
    "Matthew 14:36",
    "Matthew 23:5",
    "Luke 8:44"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew tzitzit refers to the tassels in Numbers 15:38 and Deuteronomy 22:12; the Gospel garment-edge language is related to Greek kraspedon, often understood as fringe or tassel.",
  "theological_significance": "Fringe illustrates that God often uses visible signs to train memory and obedience. The tassels pointed Israel back to the authority of God’s word and the call to live as a holy covenant people.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "The object is not meaningful by itself as a physical token; its significance lies in its appointed function as a sign that directs attention beyond the object to the divine command it represents.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not treat the fringe as a talisman or magical object. The command belongs to Israel under the Mosaic covenant, so it should not be turned into a universal legal requirement for the church. The enduring principle is remembrance of God’s word and faithful obedience.",
  "major_views_note": "Readers generally agree that the fringe in the Law was a reminder symbol, though traditions differ on later Jewish practice and on how directly New Testament believers should relate to the command.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry does not teach that clothing has spiritual power. It does not establish a binding New Testament ordinance for Gentile believers, though the moral principle of remembering God’s commandments remains valid.",
  "practical_significance": "The passage encourages believers to use wise reminders that help them remember Scripture, resist sin, and live with intentional obedience before God.",
  "meta_description": "Fringe in the Bible refers to the tassels Israel wore on garment corners as a reminder to obey God’s commandments.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/fringe/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/fringe.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}