Numbers 15:39
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְצִיצִת֒
And it shall be unto you for a fringe
H6734
לְצִיצִת֒
And it shall be unto you for a fringe
Strong's:
H6734
Word #:
3 of 22
a floral or wing-like projection, i.e., a forelock of hair, a tassel
וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם
that ye may look
H7200
וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם
that ye may look
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֹת֗וֹ
H853
אֹת֗וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙
upon it and remember
H2142
וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙
upon it and remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹ֣ת
all the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹ֣ת
all the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
9 of 22
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם
and do
H6213
וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֹתָ֑ם
H853
אֹתָ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָת֜וּרוּ
them and that ye seek
H8446
תָת֜וּרוּ
them and that ye seek
Strong's:
H8446
Word #:
14 of 22
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם
and your own eyes
H5869
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם
and your own eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
18 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Psalms 106:39Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.Psalms 73:27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.Ezekiel 6:9And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.Proverbs 28:26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.Job 31:7If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;Proverbs 3:1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.Deuteronomy 29:19And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:James 4:4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Historical Context
The language of spiritual whoring pervades the prophets (Hosea, Ezekiel, Jeremiah), depicting Israel's idolatry as marital unfaithfulness. Canaanite religions surrounding Israel involved literal sexual immorality as worship, making the whoring metaphor particularly apt. The eyes and heart are elsewhere identified as gates of temptation (Job 31:1, Proverbs 4:23), requiring vigilant guarding. These fringes served as tangible aids against temptation's subtlety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing idolatry as spiritual adultery intensify understanding of its seriousness?
- What practical safeguards do you employ against the heart and eyes' tendency toward spiritual unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The fringes' purpose was explicitly preventative—'that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring.' This recognizes humanity's tendency toward spiritual adultery, seeking fulfillment outside covenant relationship with God. The phrase 'your own heart and eyes' identifies the double source of temptation—internal desires and external enticements. The whoring metaphor emphasizes that covenant unfaithfulness is spiritual adultery against God, to whom Israel was betrothed. Visual reminders help combat the constant pull toward idolatry and self-will.