A sound that resonates between heaven and earth
In the Christian imagination, bells are deeply linked to prayer, liturgy, the call of God. They mark times, festivals, mourning and new beginnings. Their sound travels through villages, countryside and towns, like a reminder that heaven is never far away. But in the Bible, bells are not as present as you might think. They appear discreetly, but their symbolism is powerful, and their use was inspired by a profound biblical tradition.
The word "bell" as such is not frequent in biblical texts, but there are mentions of sound objects, particularly in the Old Testament. These were mainly small bells attached to the high priest's garment, used during sacred ceremonies. And this is where a whole spiritual tradition came from that inspired the use of bells in the Christian liturgy.
The bells of the high priest
In the book of Exodus, God gives very specific instructions about the clothing of the high priest Aaron. Among the items described, it says: "You shall make pomegranates of purple violet, red purple and bright crimson at the bottom of his robe, all around, with golden bells between them, all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate... Aaron shall be clothed with them to carry out his ministry. The sound shall be heard when he enters the sanctuary before the Lord, and when he leaves it" (Exodus 28:33-35).
These bells are not there to look pretty. Their sound signals that the priest is entering a sacred place, that he is approaching the living God. They mark respect, presence and vigilance. The people cannot see what is happening in the sanctuary, but they can hear. The sound becomes a link, a sign that intercession is underway. The sound of the bell then becomes a reminder: God is there, the priest is interceding, man stands humbly before the mystery.
The sound that calls to prayer
While bells are not omnipresent in the Bible, they very soon found their place in the lives of believers. Their use in churches stems from this biblical intuition: sound can be a word without words, a call, a sacred signal. In the Christian tradition, the bell is a call to prayer. It rings the angelus, marks the hour of mass, accompanies the last breath of a loved one. It links heaven and earth, the intimate and the collective.
The sound of the bell is not just a noise. It carries a meaning, a memory. It reminds everyone that God is near, that it is time to turn to him. It punctuates the day, not to overwhelm it, but to enlighten it. It becomes a kind of sonorous nightlight in the tumult of the world.
A symbol of unity and vigil
Bells bring people together. When they ring, the faithful come together. They create a link between believers, a common call that crosses distances. Their sound crosses walls, fields and streets. It touches those who pray, those who doubt, those who no longer know how to pray. It awakens something buried. It reminds everyone that heaven is watching, even in silence.
The bell is also a symbol of watchfulness. Like the sentinel watching for dawn, it keeps watch over the community. It announces a presence, a word, an action. It calls for vigilance and hope. It is like the voice of a watchman in the night, saying, "It's time to wake up, for the Lord is near."
A sound of joy and mourning
In the Christian tradition, bells accompany all the great moments of life. They ring at christenings, weddings and funerals. They share the joys and sorrows of the people. Their tone changes according to the circumstances. It can be clear and festive, or slow, deep and profound. They translate what the soul is feeling. They give a voice to what is sometimes silent.
Their silence can also have a meaning. On Good Friday, the bells fall silent. It is the mourning of the Church, the weight of the cross. This silence becomes a word: a word of pain, of expectation, of mystery. Then, at Easter, they burst forth again in the joy of the Resurrection. Their return marks the triumph of life over death. They announce that Christ is alive.
Conclusion
The story of the bells in the Bible begins in the sanctuary of the Temple, at the edge of the priest's robe. But it continues in the hearts of believers, in villages, in churches, in the secret of souls. The sound of bells is a call, a light, a living memory. It reminds us that God is there, that he still speaks to us, sometimes even through a simple tinkling of brass in the wind. All we have to do is listen.
