The Bells on the Priest's Robe: A Symbol of the Apostles

Justin Martyr offers a fascinating interpretation of the Old Testament, viewing many of its elements as types and symbols foreshadowing Christ and the Christian faith. One striking example is his explanation of the bells attached to the high priest's robe.

The Symbolism

According to Justin, the prescription that twelve bells be attached to the high priest's robe, which hung down to the feet, symbolized the twelve apostles. He argues that the apostles "depend on the power of Christ, the eternal Priest; and through their voice it is that all the earth has been filled with the glory and grace of God and of His Christ."

He connects this imagery to scripture, quoting Psalm 19:4: "Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." This verse, he suggests, illustrates how the apostles' message resonated globally, just as the sound of the bells would have filled the temple.

Isaiah's Perspective

Justin also references Isaiah, interpreting the prophet's words as if he were personating the apostles. Isaiah 53:1, 2, "Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground," speaks to the apostles' humility and reliance on God's power, not their own. This further reinforces the idea that the apostles, like the bells, are instruments through which God's message is proclaimed.

Unity in Christ

Justin emphasizes the concept of unity within the Church. He draws an analogy to the human body, stating that "although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body." Similarly, a commonwealth and a church, though composed of many individuals, are "in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation." This highlights the collective role of believers in spreading the Gospel, echoing the unified sound of the twelve bells representing the apostles.

Conclusion

Justin Martyr's interpretation of the bells on the high priest's robe provides a rich and symbolic connection between the Old Testament and the New. He sees the bells as a tangible representation of the apostles' role in spreading the message of Christ throughout the world, emphasizing their reliance on God's power and the unity of the Church. This interpretation offers a unique lens through which to understand the significance of both the Old Testament and the role of the apostles in Christian history.