Exodus 25:5 kjv

And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

Exodus 25:5 nkjv

ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood;

Exodus 25:5 niv

ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood;

Exodus 25:5 esv

tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood,

Exodus 25:5 nlt

tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;
acacia wood;

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 5 Meaning

Exodus 25:5 details three specific materials that the Israelites were to contribute as a freewill offering for the construction of the Tabernacle: ram skins dyed red, skins of a marine animal often translated as "badger" (but subject to scholarly debate regarding precise identification), and acacia wood. These materials were essential components for the Tabernacle's coverings and framework, contributing to its durability, protection, and structural integrity as God's mobile dwelling place in the wilderness. The command for these specific items underscores God's meticulous instructions for His sanctuary.

Exodus 25 5 Context

This verse is found within Exodus 25, which marks a significant shift in the book of Exodus. After God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage and entered into a covenant with them at Sinai, He now gives Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle. This sacred tent would serve as God's earthly dwelling place among His people. The broader context of Exodus 25-31 contains precise blueprints and material lists, emphasizing the divine origin and specific requirements for His holy sanctuary.

Historically, the Israelites were in the wilderness, recently liberated from slavery, needing a central place of worship to consolidate their identity as God's covenant people. The Tabernacle served this crucial purpose, distinct from the pagan temples they knew in Egypt, which were dedicated to various deities and often involved coerced labor and pagan rituals. The command for freewill offerings (Ex 25:2) of specific materials, including those listed in verse 5, contrasts sharply with the forced labor and idol worship of their past, establishing a unique relationship between a holy God and His devoted people through voluntary worship and precise obedience.

Exodus 25 5 Word analysis

• "ram skins dyed red":

  • Hebrew: עֹרֹת אֵילִם מְאָדָּמִים (‘ōrōt ‘êlîm mĕ’addāmîm).
  • ‘ōrōt: "skins" or "hides." Denotes animal coverings.
  • ‘êlîm: "rams." The ram often features in Old Testament sacrificial contexts (e.g., the ram caught in the thicket, Gen 22:13).
  • mĕ’addāmîm: "dyed red" (from the root ‘ādam, "to be red"). The red color can symbolize blood, atonement, life, or simply a prominent visual. It also denotes a protective layer.
  • Significance: These skins formed one of the upper coverings of the Tabernacle, likely providing a durable and aesthetically distinct layer. The red dye may carry symbolic weight related to atonement or the protective quality of the Tabernacle's exterior.

• "and badger skins":

  • Hebrew: וְתַחֲשִׁים (wĕthaḥăšîm).
  • taḥaš: This term is a source of much scholarly discussion. While often translated "badger" (KJV, ESV, NASB), it is not definitively identified. Other proposals include a type of marine animal like a dugong, dolphin, or porpoise, found in the Red Sea, or a specific type of high-quality, durable, and perhaps dyed leather. The Septuagint translated it as "hyacinth-dyed skins," suggesting color. The lack of precise identification underscores its rare and valuable nature for such a specific purpose.
  • Significance: This material was used for the outermost covering of the Tabernacle, making it crucial for waterproofing and protection against the harsh desert elements (sun, sand, rain). Regardless of the exact animal, the material was selected for its exceptional durability and impermeability, symbolizing God's full and impenetrable protection of His dwelling and people.

• "and acacia wood":

  • Hebrew: וַעֲצֵי שִׁטִּים (wa‘ătsê šiṭṭîm).
  • ‘ătsê: "wood of."
  • šiṭṭîm: "acacia trees." This tree (Acacia seyal or Acacia tortilis) was common in the Sinai peninsula, despite the arid conditions. Its wood is known for its remarkable density, hardness, resistance to rot, and immunity to insect infestation.
  • Significance: Acacia wood was chosen for all the primary structural elements of the Tabernacle—the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Altars of Incense and Burnt Offering, and the very frames and crossbars of the Tabernacle structure. Its inherent qualities—durability and longevity—symbolized stability, permanence, and purity for the sacred objects it comprised. God's provision of such suitable material in the wilderness further highlights His foresight and care for the construction of His holy dwelling.

Exodus 25 5 Bonus section

The precise enumeration of materials like ram skins dyed red, taḥaš skins, and acacia wood underscores not only the functional requirements for a robust sanctuary in the harsh desert but also potentially deep symbolic meanings. The multiple layers of the Tabernacle coverings, of which the red ram skins and taḥaš skins were part, progressively obscured the holiest inner sanctuary from public view, symbolizing the increasing holiness towards the Presence of God. These specific, sometimes rare or specialized materials, were not just pragmatic choices but were integral to the visual and tactile theology of the Tabernacle, representing a specific type of sanctity and the unique means by which a Holy God could dwell among His sinful people. The voluntary nature of the contribution of these valuable materials highlighted the personal commitment required from each Israelite in establishing God's dwelling place, making them active participants in the worship system.

Exodus 25 5 Commentary

Exodus 25:5 presents three distinct materials essential for the Tabernacle: red-dyed ram skins, the elusive taḥaš skins, and resilient acacia wood. Each served a specific purpose, collectively contributing to the sanctuary's integrity and symbolism. The ram skins, dyed red, formed one of the Tabernacle's protective layers, perhaps alluding to sacrificial themes or the vitality inherent in divine protection. The taḥaš skins provided the outermost, weather-resistant layer, symbolizing God's complete enclosure and preservation of His dwelling from the elements, emphasizing impenetrable divine care. Lastly, the acacia wood, known for its extreme durability and availability in the wilderness, formed the Tabernacle's stable framework and all its significant furnishings. Its robust nature points to the steadfastness and permanence of God's presence among His people, as well as His miraculous provision for their needs even in barren lands. This divine blueprint reveals God's meticulousness, ensuring a durable and holy space where He could dwell, while simultaneously teaching the Israelites about sacrifice, protection, and divine faithfulness.