פַּעֲמֹן

From the study of Exodus 28:33

Range of meaning

A bell or jingle. It is built on the root p-'-m, 'to strike, beat, thrust'. Related words include pa'am, 'footstep, beat, a time' (as in 'three times'), and the verb used for a spirit 'stirring' someone (Judges 13:25). A pa'amon is therefore 'the thing that strikes or is struck', something that sounds when it is hit.

Against the English

Every major English version says 'bells', which is correct. A modern reader may picture a church bell or a handbell. These were small gold bells sewn onto fabric, which jingled with each step.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Hebrew Bible it appears only in Exodus 28:33–34 and 39:25–26. Small bronze bells are known from the Iron Age Near East, including Assyria, and were sometimes hung on garments and on animals. Ben Sira 45:9 (2nd century BC) recalls Aaron's bells, which made 'a sound heard in the temple as a reminder for the children of his people'. Josephus (Antiquities 3.184–185) took the bells as a symbol of thunder. Philo (Life of Moses 2.119–120) read them as the harmony of the cosmos. The Talmud (Zevachim 88b, Arakhin 16a) says the robe atoned for harmful speech: 'let a thing of sound atone for a deed of sound.'

From the study of Exodus 28:34

Range of meaning

A small metal bell with a clapper. It comes from the root p-'-m, 'to strike, thrust, beat'. Judges 13:25 uses the verb for the Spirit 'stirring' Samson, and Genesis 41:8 for Pharaoh's spirit being 'troubled'. Nouns from the same root mean 'footstep, foot', 'a time, an occurrence' (as in 'this time') and 'anvil' (Isa 41:7). So the bell is 'the thing that strikes', and its ringing is tied to the beat of steps.

Against the English

'Bell' is accurate. A modern reader may picture a church bell or a hand bell, but these were small bells sewn onto cloth that jingled as the wearer moved. They were closer to the bells on a costume or a harness.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Bible the word appears only in Exodus 28:33–34 and 39:25–26. A related word, metsillot, is used for bells on horses in Zechariah 14:20, which are also inscribed 'Holy to YHWH'. Small bronze bells are known from Iron Age sites in the Levant and Assyria. Sirach 45:9 (around 180 BC) says God surrounded Aaron 'with many golden bells round about, to send forth a sound as he walked, to make a noise heard in the temple, as a reminder for the children of his people'. Josephus (Antiquities 3.7.4, 3.7.7) describes the bells and says they stand for thunder. Philo (Life of Moses 2.119–121) reads them as the harmony of the cosmos. The Talmud (b. Zevachim 88b) says the robe atoned for evil speech: 'let something that makes a sound atone for a sin of sound.'