Phylactery
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Phylactery in the Bible?
The phylactery (tefillin) consists of two leather boxes containing parchment scrolls with specific verses from the Torah, worn by observant Jewish males during weekday morning prayers; one box is bound to the left arm and the other to the head.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the phylactery clarifies the literal interpretation of biblical commands to bind God's words as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes, illustrating how ancient textual instructions evolved into tangible ritual objects.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Phylactery were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Phylactery in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phylactery clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Phylactery." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/phylactery/