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BELL.—A number of small bronze bells, both of the ordinary shape with clapper and of the ‘ball and slit’ form, have been found at Gezer (PEFSt [Note: Quarterly Statement of the same.] , 1904, 354, with illustt.). The bells of ‘pure gold’ (Exo_39:25), which alternated with pomegranate ornaments on the skirt of the high priest’s robe (Exo_28:33 f.), were doubtless of one or other of these forms. Their purpose is stated in Exo_28:35, but the underlying idea is obscure (see the Comm.). The ‘bells of the horses’ of Zec_14:20 represent another word akin to that rendered ‘cymbals.’ Whether these ornaments were really bells or, as is usually supposed, small metal discs (cf. the ‘crescents’ of Jdg_8:21 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ) Is uncertain.
A. R. S. Kennedy.