fringes

Tassels, borders, hems

A common decoration on Near Eastern garments. The oldest rule about fringes in the OT says simply, “You shall make tassels on the four corners of the cloak with which you cover yourself” (Deut 22:12). The more elaborate command in Num 15:38-40 says that the tassels shall be of blue cord and function as a reminder to obey the commandments. In the Gospels the woman with the hemorrhage touches the fringe of Jesus’s garment (Matt 9:20; Luke 8:44), and other sick wish to do likewise (Mark 6:56; Matt 14:36). Jesus criticizes Pharisees for hypocrisy in wearing ostentatious fringes (Matt 23:5).