Phylactery

A small leather case or box with Old Testament verses worn on the arm and forehead by Jews during prayer.

Man with phylacteries on his forehead and arm
Man with phylacteries on his forehead and arm (© Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart by United Bible Societies) Phylactery

About Phylactery

A small prayer case holds Scripture passages. Pious Jews wear it at prayer. At prayer, Orthodox Jewish males wear two small, black leather boxes. They contain Scripture.

The phylactery was probably not a box of Scripture. It was a strip of parchment with four Old Testament passages in Hebrew. The passages were:

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

Deuteronomy 6:8

Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deuteronomy 11:18

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Matthew 23:5

All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

All Scripture References (1)

Matthew (1)
Matthew 23:5

All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.