Read the Daily Bible Verse – Exodus 35:18 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Exodus 35:18 (KJV) says:
“The bells of the pomegranates, and the pomegranates, upon the hems of the robe, to minister in the holy place; as the Lord commanded Moses.”
This verse, like much of Exodus, contains significant details regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests. As with many passages in the Old Testament, this seemingly straightforward verse is rich in symbolism and meaning. By examining the context, symbolism, and application of this verse, we can gain a deeper understanding of God‘s purposes for His people in both the Old and New Covenants.
The Context on Exodus 35:18 KJV
The Book of Exodus and its Historical Context
Exodus is a foundational book of the Bible, detailing the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, their journey through the wilderness, and the establishment of God’s covenant with them. In the chapters leading up to Exodus 35, God gives Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle—a portable place of worship that would serve as the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people. The Tabernacle’s construction includes detailed instructions for the furniture, the materials, and, as we see in Exodus 35, the garments of the priests who would serve there.
The Immediate Context of Exodus 35:18
Exodus 35:18 falls within a section of the book where Moses is instructing the Israelites to bring offerings for the Tabernacle, and the people are contributing generously to the project. Specifically, this verse deals with the garments worn by the priests, who were to serve in the Tabernacle. In Exodus 28, God provided Moses with detailed instructions for the priestly garments, and Exodus 35:18 highlights the specific design features for the robe of the high priest, particularly the inclusion of pomegranates and bells at the hem of the robe.
The mention of the bells and pomegranates indicates that they were to be a part of the priest’s ceremonial attire, worn during the performance of their duties in the Tabernacle and later in the temple. These garments were to reflect the holiness and majesty of God and were significant in the priests’ role as mediators between God and the people of Israel.
The Meaning of Exodus 35:18
The Bells and Pomegranates
The verse mentions two key features of the high priest’s garment: bells and pomegranates. These elements are attached to the hem of the robe and are mentioned in Exodus 28:33-35 as well, where God commands that they be sewn alternately along the robe. Each bell would have been followed by a pomegranate, creating a distinctive pattern. Both the bells and the pomegranates have symbolic significance.
The Bells: The purpose of the bells was functional as well as symbolic. The bells would create sound as the priest moved, signaling his activity within the holy place. The sound of the bells reminded the people that the priest was actively ministering on their behalf, particularly when entering or exiting the Holy of Holies. The sound of the bells also had a more profound spiritual significance: they served as a reminder of God’s presence and the seriousness with which the priest approached his duties.
The Pomegranates: The pomegranate was a symbol of fertility and abundance, often used in the ancient Near East as a symbol of life. In the context of the priestly garments, the pomegranates likely symbolize the fruitfulness of a life devoted to God. Just as the fruit of the pomegranate is numerous and varied, the priest’s role in serving God and mediating His blessings to the people was to be abundant and fruitful. The pomegranates, therefore, symbolized the blessings of God that the priests would invoke on behalf of Israel.
Ministering in the Holy Place
The verse also highlights that these garments were meant “to minister in the holy place,” referring to the priest’s role in serving within the Tabernacle. The “holy place” was the area where the priests performed their duties, offering sacrifices, prayers, and incense before God. This role was crucial in maintaining the relationship between God and His people, as the priest acted as an intermediary, offering sacrifices for sin and invoking God’s favor upon the people.
The detailed design of the high priest’s garments was a reminder of the holiness of God and the sacredness of the priestly office. The bells and pomegranates were not just ornamental; they played a role in the priest’s duties and functioned as visual and auditory reminders of God’s presence, holiness, and the priest’s responsibility.
Exodus 35:18 Application in Life
The Importance of Reverence and Holiness
Exodus 35:18 emphasizes the holiness of the priestly office and the sacredness of serving God. This is a principle that applies not only to the priests of the Old Testament but also to all believers today. In the New Testament, every Christian is called to be a “priest” in a spiritual sense (1 Peter 2:9), serving God through lives of holiness and reverence. Just as the priests in Exodus were to approach their duties with care and attention to detail, Christians today are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, in both our actions and our attitude.
Sounding the Bells: A Call to Action
The bells on the priest’s garments served as a call to action, a reminder that the priest was actively serving and that his movements were important in God’s plan. In a similar way, Christians today are called to actively live out their faith. The sound of the bells can symbolize the call for believers to engage in service to God and others, bringing attention to the importance of faithful, obedient action in the life of a believer.
Bearing Fruit in Service
The pomegranates, as symbols of fruitfulness, remind believers that a life devoted to God should be fruitful. Jesus taught that His followers are to bear fruit in their lives (John 15:8). The pomegranates on the priestly garments can thus serve as a reminder that Christians are called to bear spiritual fruit in their lives—through good works, through love, through service, and through spreading the Gospel.
Comparison with Other Biblical Texts
The Bells and Pomegranates in Other Biblical Texts
While Exodus 35:18 specifically mentions the bells and pomegranates on the high priest’s garments, the themes of sound and fruitfulness are present throughout the Bible.
Sound as a Symbol of God’s Presence: In 1 Samuel 4:5, the sound of the Ark of the Covenant is said to have made the earth tremble. Similarly, the bells on the priest’s garments represented the active presence of the priest before God, much like how the sound of God’s presence in the Old Testament signified His authority and sovereignty.
Fruitfulness and Blessing: The theme of fruitfulness is pervasive in Scripture. In Deuteronomy 28:11, God promises that the land will yield an abundance of fruit as a blessing for obedience. In the New Testament, Christians are called to bear fruit, not only through good works but also through the spreading of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). The pomegranates on the priest’s garments are a visual reminder of the spiritual fruitfulness God desires from His people.
The Priesthood of Believers
Exodus 35:18 also points to the New Testament concept of the priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9). In Christ, all Christians are made priests who are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, bear fruit, and serve God. While the priests in the Old Testament had a specific role in the Tabernacle, believers today have the privilege of offering worship and service to God directly, through Christ.
Modern-Day Relevance
Living Out Our Priestly Role
Christians are called to live out their role as priests in a fallen world. Just as the high priest’s garments in Exodus 35:18 were designed to symbolize holiness and dedication, Christians today are called to live lives that reflect the righteousness of God. Our lives should bear fruit that reflects our commitment to God and His mission in the world.
Sounding the Bells in Today’s World
In a world filled with distractions and noise, Christians are called to “sound the bells” by living lives that actively proclaim God’s presence. This can be done through acts of service, through proclaiming the Gospel, and through living lives that reflect God’s holiness and love. The bells on the priest’s garments can be a metaphor for the ways in which believers’ actions and words should draw attention to God’s work in the world.
Conclusion
Exodus 35:18, with its mention of the bells and pomegranates on the high priest’s garment, offers rich theological insight into the nature of priestly service, holiness, and fruitfulness. As believers, we are called to live lives of active worship, bearing fruit for God’s glory, and serving as priests in our relationship with Him. The bells and pomegranates serve as reminders of the seriousness of this calling and the reverence with which we should approach our relationship with God. Just as the high priest’s movements were marked by the sound of bells, so should our actions reflect our commitment to serving God and living lives of holiness and fruitfulness.
Exodus 35:18 Commentary
Exodus 35:18, like much of the Tabernacle’s detailed instructions, emphasizes the importance of reverence, holiness, and the active role of the priest in serving God. The bells and pomegranates were not simply decorative, but served as symbols of God’s presence and the fruitful service expected of His people. These elements remind believers of the importance of both action (represented by the bells) and spiritual fruitfulness (represented by the pomegranates) in their relationship with God.
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