The Meaning of Exodus 28:34 Explained

Exodus 28:34

KJV: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

YLT: a bell of gold and a pomegranate, a bell of gold and a pomegranate are on the hems of the upper robe round about.

Darby: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, in the skirts of the cloak round about.

ASV: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A golden  bell  and a pomegranate,  a golden  bell  and a pomegranate,  upon the hem  of the robe  round about. 

What does Exodus 28:34 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 28:31-43 - Aaron's Holy Garments
The robe was worn under the ephod. It was of blue, the color of heaven, of deep lakes, of the gentian and the forget-me-not. It was of one piece. See John 19:23. It ended in a fringe, in which bells and pomegranates alternated. We are as the skirts of his garments, and the holy oil will reach us there, so the psalmist says. See Psalms 133:2. We may receive the unction of the holy Christ. The Spirit so richly given to Him may anoint even us, and it will reveal itself in the fruit of the pomegranate and the sweetness of the golden bell. Aaron's head plate bore an inscription, which the prophet tells us should be written also on our commonest duties and most prosaic service. See Zechariah 14:20-21. For ordinary priests the clothing was very simple. Pure white linen! Such is the garb which befits us all! Revelation 19:8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 28

1  Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
2  Holy garments are appointed
6  The ephod and girdle
15  The breast-plate with twelve precious stones
30  The Urim and Thummim
31  The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells
36  The plate of the mitre
39  The embroidered coat
40  The garments for Aaron's sons

What do the individual words in Exodus 28:34 mean?

a bell golden and a pomegranate a bell golden and a pomegranate upon the hem of the robe all around
פַּעֲמֹ֤ן זָהָב֙ וְרִמּ֔וֹן פַּֽעֲמֹ֥ן זָהָ֖ב וְרִמּ֑וֹן עַל־ שׁוּלֵ֥י הַמְּעִ֖יל סָבִֽיב

פַּעֲמֹ֤ן  a  bell 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פַּעֲמֹון  
Sense: bell.
זָהָב֙  golden 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וְרִמּ֔וֹן  and  a  pomegranate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִמֹּון  
Sense: pomegranate.
פַּֽעֲמֹ֥ן  a  bell 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פַּעֲמֹון  
Sense: bell.
זָהָ֖ב  golden 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וְרִמּ֑וֹן  and  a  pomegranate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִמֹּון  
Sense: pomegranate.
עַל־  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
שׁוּלֵ֥י  the  hem 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: שׁוּל  
Sense: skirt (of robe).
הַמְּעִ֖יל  of  the  robe 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מְעִיל  
Sense: robe.
סָבִֽיב  all  around 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.