Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(bellowers). Bells of gold were appended to priestly robes (Ex. 28:33-35). Attached to anklets (Isa. 3:16-18). Horses ornamented with bells (Zech. 14:20).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. paamon, from “to strike” (Ex. 28:33-34; Ex. 39:25-26). They were on Aaron’s robes, “a bell and a pomegranate,” testimony and fruit were to mark all his goings, as they should accompany the Christian’s walk through being attached to Christ.
2. metsilloth, “bells” from their tinkling (Zech. 14:20), but in the margin is read “or bridles.” These are supposed to be the metallic plates suspended from the heads of the horses, on which inscriptions can be engraved, and which make a tinkling noise. At the restoration and blessing of Israel “Holiness unto the Lord” will be engraved on such plates.
From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Zechariah 14:20. In that day shall there be upon the belle of the horses, Holiness unto the Lord.
It was quite common among ancient nations to have bells hung around the necks of horses, both by way of ornament and to accustom the war-horses to noise. At the present time bells are used in caravans for horses and camels; sometimes being strung around the legs, as well as suspended from the neck. They are designed, not only for ornament, but also to encourage the animals by their sound, to frighten beasts of prey, and to keep the caravan together.
Some suppose that metsilloth, “bells,” were small pieces of metal resembling cymbals, which made a tinkling noise by collision as the horses moved.
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