Inscription on the Liberty Bell: "Pass and Stow" and the Rest

The Liberty Bell bears two distinct inscriptions:

1. The Biblical Verse (Leviticus 25:10)

"Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof"

This is the famous "Pass and Stow" line often referenced. It circles the upper portion of the bell.

2. The Commissioning Text

"By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for the State House in Philadelphia"

This appears lower on the bell, documenting its origin: cast in 1752 (recast 1753 by Pass and Stow) for the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall).

Note: "Pass and Stow" refers to the Philadelphia founders John Pass and John Stow, who recast the bell after the original Whitechapel Bell Foundry casting cracked on its first test ring. Their names appear on the bell alongside the inscriptions.