Lexical Summary tsitsith: Tassel, fringe Original Word: צִיצִת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fringe, lock Feminine of tsiyts; a floral or wing-like projection, i.e. A forelock of hair, a tassel -- fringe, lock. see HEBREW tsiyts NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a tassel, lock NASB Translation lock (1), tassel (2), tassels (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs צִיצִת noun feminine tassel, lock (√ dubious; Late Hebrew id., so ᵑ7 צִיצִיתָא, Syriac ![]() ![]() צִיקְלַג see צִקְלַג I. ציר (√ of following; compare Topical Lexicon Overview צִיצִת (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: Symbolism and Theological Themes 1. Memory: The tassel turns dress into a devotional prompt, guarding against forgetfulness (Deuteronomy 8:11). Liturgical and Daily Practice in Ancient Israel • Garment: Likely the four-cornered outer cloak (simlah), large enough for the corners to be noticeable. 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. 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 tziTzitLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 15:38 HEB: וְעָשׂ֨וּ לָהֶ֥ם צִיצִ֛ת עַל־ כַּנְפֵ֥י NAS: them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners KJV: them that they make them fringes in the borders INT: that shall make tassels on the corners Numbers 15:38 Numbers 15:39 Ezekiel 8:3 4 Occurrences |