Frontlet

A frontlet was something worn or tied on the forehead (Exodus 13:16; Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18).

By the time of Jesus, Jewish men wore objects called phylacteries during morning prayer (Matthew 23:5). They were worn by every male Israelite over the age of 13. These contained four passages of Scripture:

Exodus 13:1–10;

Exodus 13:11–16;

Deuteronomy 6:4–9; and

Deuteronomy 11:13–21.

Scholars debate whether the word “phylactery” refers to the parchments, the boxes, or both.

It is uncertain whether Israelites wore such objects in the time of Moses. Some interpreters understand the commands as figures of speech. They aimed to show the memorial value of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Law's importance in the people's lives.

Jesus criticized some Pharisees for making their phylacteries large as a public display of religious devotion (Matthew 23:5). His criticism was not directed at the practice itself, but at outward religion used to gain attention.

See also Phylactery; Amulet.