Bible Dictionary
Frontlets, Or Phylacteries
Phylacteries, or frontlets, were small leather cases containing passages from the Law and worn on the arm or forehead. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for enlarging these displays as part of their outward religious pretension.
Definition
Frontlets, or phylacteries, were leather cases containing written passages from the Law. They were worn on the left arm and forehead, with the forehead case divided into cells for separate parchment strips.
Biblical Usage
Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making their phylacteries broad and conspicuous. The criticism concerned their outward religious display and pretentious customs rather than merely the prescribed existence of the phylacteries.
Historical Background
The cases were made of black calfskin and attached with leather thongs. The written passages were from Exodus and Deuteronomy. The phylacteries were used as amulets; Pharisees reportedly wore them continually, while ordinary people used them chiefly at prayer.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Exodus 13:16; 6:8; 11:18; Matthew 23:5) These “frontlets” or “phylacteries” were strips of parchment, on which were written four passages of Scripture, (Exodus 13:2-10,11-17; 6:4-9,13-23) in an ink prepared for the purpose. They were then rolled up in a case of black calfskin, which was attached to a stiffer piece of leather, having a thong one finger broad and one and a half cubits long. They were placed at the bend of the left arm. Those worn on the forehead were written on four strips of parchment, and put into four little cells within a square case on which the letter was written. The square had two thongs, on which Hebrew letters were inscribed. That phylacteries were used as amulets is certain, and was very natural. The expression “they make broad their phylacteries,” (Matthew 23:5) refers not so much to the phylactery itself, which seems to have been of a prescribed breadth, as to the case in which the parchment was kept, which the Pharisees, among their other pretentious customs, (Mark 7:3,4; Luke 5:33) etc., made as conspicuous as they could. It is said that the Pharisees wore them always, whereas the common people only used them at prayers.