Numbers 15:39 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The fringes function as reminders so Israel will remember and obey all the LORD's commandments and not follow their own desires.
The Context of Numbers 15:39
God explains the spiritual purpose of the fringes—to prevent Israel from following their own desires instead of His commandments.
What Does Numbers 15:39 Mean?
The fringes serve a pedagogical purpose: by looking upon them, Israel is reminded to obey. The act of seeing becomes an act of remembering and recommitting to God's law.
The phrase 'seek not after your own heart and your own eyes' addresses the danger of following personal desire over God's command. The vivid language 'go a whoring' suggests that seeking self-interest is spiritual unfaithfulness, a breaking of covenant with God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 15:39
What does Numbers 15:39 mean?
The fringes function as reminders so Israel will remember and obey all the LORD's commandments and not follow their own desires.
What is the context of Numbers 15:39?
God explains the spiritual purpose of the fringes—to prevent Israel from following their own desires instead of His commandments.