Exodus 25:4 kjv

And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

Exodus 25:4 nkjv

blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats' hair;

Exodus 25:4 niv

blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;

Exodus 25:4 esv

blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair,

Exodus 25:4 nlt

blue, purple, and scarlet thread;
fine linen and goat hair for cloth;

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 4 Meaning

Exodus 25:4 outlines specific materials, by color and type of fabric/fiber, that God commanded the Israelites to bring as offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle. These contributions were not merely raw building blocks but divinely designated elements, each carrying profound symbolic weight that would underscore God's majesty, holiness, and the path to atonement He was establishing among His people. The selection of these particular materials reflects the high value, sacred purity, and spiritual significance of the dwelling place for the Most High God.

Exodus 25 4 Context

Exodus chapter 25 initiates God's detailed instructions to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites in the wilderness. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments and the covenant at Sinai, God provides a comprehensive blueprint for worship. Verse 4 specifically lists certain rich, dyed threads and fabrics, along with goats' hair, as essential raw materials for the Tabernacle's various components, from its exquisite inner curtains to its durable outer coverings and the garments of the priests. These were not to be manufactured for the project but voluntarily contributed by the people "whose heart moves him" (Exo 25:2), highlighting the role of willing offerings in constructing God's sacred dwelling. This passage lays the foundation for understanding the elaborate symbolism woven into every aspect of Israel's divinely ordained worship system.

Exodus 25 4 Word analysis

• And blue (וּתְכֵלֶת - u'tkhelet):

  • Word: t'khelet (תְּכֵלֶת).
  • Meaning: A sky-blue or violet-blue dye, traditionally obtained from the Murex snail (banded dye-murex or a similar species) found in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a very precious and expensive dye in the ancient world.
  • Significance: In the Tabernacle context, blue frequently symbolizes the heavens, the divine, God's heavenly dwelling, His glory, purity, and His spiritual presence. It points to the transcendence of God. Priestly garments (Exo 28) and the fringes of Israelite garments (Num 15:38-39) also incorporated blue, serving as a reminder of God's commandments and their heavenly origin.

• and purple (וְאַרְגָּמָן - ve'argaman):

  • Word: 'argaman (אַרְגָּמָן).
  • Meaning: A royal purple or reddish-purple dye, also derived from Murex snails, often produced by combining blue dye from the Hexaplex trunculus with red from the Bolinus brandaris. This was one of the most highly prized and costly dyes of the ancient Near East, historically associated with royalty and great wealth.
  • Significance: Symbolizes kingship, sovereignty, authority, and majesty. Its inclusion for God's dwelling underscores His supreme reign over all creation. Kings and rulers, even the Roman soldiers who mocked Christ, wore purple (Jdg 8:26, Mark 15:17), affirming its royal connotation.

• and scarlet (וְשָׁנִי - ve'shani):

  • Word: shani (שָׁנִי).
  • Meaning: A deep crimson or bright red dye, usually derived from the dried bodies of female kermes insects (Kermes vermilio) or cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus). This dye was also very valuable.
  • Significance: Scarlet is profoundly symbolic of life, blood, vitality, and atonement through sacrifice. While sometimes linked to sin's stain (Isa 1:18), in the Tabernacle's context, its primary meaning points towards purification and expiation. It prefigures the shed blood of Christ, which cleanses from sin and grants access to God's presence. Used in cleansing rituals (Lev 14:4, Num 19:6).

• and fine linen (וְשֵׁשׁ - ve'shesh):

  • Word: shesh (שֵׁשׁ).
  • Meaning: Fine white linen, specifically byssus, an exceptionally high-quality and smooth fabric, often imported from Egypt. It was highly valued for its purity and soft texture.
  • Significance: Represents purity, holiness, righteousness, and spiritual splendor. It was used for the priests' garments and the Tabernacle's inner curtains (Exo 28:39), reflecting the holy nature of those who serve God and the sacred space itself. In the New Testament, "fine linen" signifies the righteous deeds of the saints (Rev 19:8).

• and goats' hair (וְעִזִּים - ve'izzim):

  • Word: ‘izzim (עִזִּים), plural of ‘ez (goat).
  • Meaning: The hair of goats, typically spun into a sturdy, dark, and often water-repellent fabric. It was a common, durable material, less refined than fine linen or the dyed wools.
  • Significance: Used for the outer covering of the Tabernacle (Exo 26:7), providing a robust, protective layer against the elements. Its practical and humble nature contrasts with the luxurious materials inside. It can symbolize endurance, resilience, and perhaps the more austere external appearance of spiritual truth versus its inner glory. It speaks to both the functional necessity and God's use of even the less esteemed to achieve His purposes, or perhaps Christ's outwardly humble appearance contrasted with His intrinsic divine glory.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And blue, and purple, and scarlet": This trio of dyed materials (traditionally, wool colored with these dyes) signifies a profound theological combination. They represent the attributes of God: His heavenly origin and holiness (blue), His sovereign authority and royalty (purple), and His provision of life and atonement through sacrifice (scarlet). Together, they articulate the majesty and redemptive character of the God for whom the Tabernacle was being built, covering divine transcendence, royal dominion, and sacrificial grace.
  • "and fine linen, and goats' hair": These two materials present a striking contrast and complementarity. "Fine linen" points to the internal purity, holiness, and glory appropriate for God's dwelling, along with the righteousness required for His service. "Goats' hair," on the other hand, speaks to the external strength, durability, and protective qualities necessary for the Tabernacle's physical existence in the wilderness, possibly hinting at a humble or rugged exterior guarding precious spiritual truth. This pairing highlights that God's Tabernacle involved both spiritual magnificence and practical resilience, symbolizing both divine holiness and the earthly dwelling among humanity.

Exodus 25 4 Bonus section

The careful specification of these materials underscores that divine worship is not left to human discretion or convenience. Every detail for the Tabernacle was commanded by God, signifying His authority and the precise nature of the means by which His presence would be maintained among Israel. The mixture of extremely valuable (dyed wools, fine linen) and more common but durable (goats' hair) materials speaks to the comprehensive nature of the required offerings, welcoming diverse contributions and demonstrating that all levels of skill and resource could be utilized in serving God's purposes. Furthermore, these earthly materials and the structures they formed were understood to be patterned after heavenly realities, as indicated in the Book of Hebrews (Heb 8:5), signifying that God’s instructions for the Tabernacle carried profound spiritual blueprints.

Exodus 25 4 Commentary

Exodus 25:4 presents a crucial segment of the divine list for constructing the Tabernacle, meticulously detailing five types of materials: blue, purple, and scarlet dyed yarns, fine linen, and goats' hair. This selection is not arbitrary; it reveals God's precision and purpose, where every component carries theological significance. The luxurious and rare dyed materials—blue, purple, and scarlet—were symbols of divine glory, royalty, and atonement, respectively. They were extremely valuable in the ancient world, signifying that God's dwelling deserved the highest honor and dedication. The "fine linen," known for its pure white color, symbolized holiness and righteousness, crucial for access to God's presence. Finally, "goats' hair," a practical and durable material, was used for the Tabernacle's outermost layer, suggesting strength, protection, and perhaps the less glamorous, yet essential, aspects of pilgrimage and divine preservation.

This verse underlines God's intentionality in designing a sacred space that not only allowed His presence to dwell among His people but also visually taught them about His character and His redemptive plan. The materials collected by voluntary offerings foreshadowed the costliness of worship and God's ultimate self-sacrifice in Christ. They were physical elements pointing to profound spiritual truths: God is King (purple), He is heavenly and holy (blue), and He provides atonement through blood (scarlet). The structure, fashioned from these elements, thus served as a tangible theological text, communicating God's nature and covenant relationship with Israel, and ultimately, pointing forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies divine kingship, purity, and sacrificial love.