Deuteronomy 22:12

Fringes. More exactly, “tassels.” The Hebrew word thus translated is used but once more in the OT (1 Kings 7:17, “wreaths”). It is from the verb “to become great,” “to twist,” and is not the same word as that rendered “fringes” in Numbers 15:37-41.

The four quarters. Or, “the four corners” (RSV; cf. Numbers 15:38, “borders,” the same word in Hebrew). The “vesture,” from the verb “to cover,” was probably a rectangular outer garment resembling a cloak, still worn by the peasants of Palestine. The poor used it for a cover at night. Anciently, the Jews wore “tassels” openly on their outer garment. As this readily identified them in times of persecution, they transferred the tassels to the inner garment. Later they adopted the custom of wearing the tassels, or twisted cords, only on the small mantle worn at prayers. The dress of God’s people was to be distinctive. They were not to follow the fashions of the people among whom they lived.