Exodus 35 7

Exodus 35:7 kjv

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

Exodus 35:7 nkjv

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

Exodus 35:7 niv

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

Exodus 35:7 esv

tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood,

Exodus 35:7 nlt

tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;
acacia wood;

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 7 Meaning

Exodus 35:7 lists specific materials the Israelites were to bring as contributions for constructing the Tabernacle, God's portable sanctuary in the wilderness. This verse highlights "rams’ skins dyed red," "badgers’ skins" (often translated as a durable marine animal skin), and "acacia wood." These items were vital for the outer coverings and the structural components of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, showcasing the meticulous divine design and the necessity of willing contributions from the community.

Exodus 35 7 Context

This verse is part of Moses' detailed instructions to the entire congregation of Israel concerning the materials required for the construction of the Tabernacle. Following God's initial detailed commands on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31) and the sobering golden calf incident, Moses reiterates the instructions to the people.

The immediate verse context places these specific materials (rams' skins, badger skins, acacia wood) directly after the precious metals (gold, silver, bronze) and dyed threads (blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats' hair). This listing demonstrates a comprehensive need for both costly and common, yet durable, materials for God's dwelling place.

The broader chapter context of Exodus 35 emphasizes three key elements: the importance of observing the Sabbath (vv. 1-3), the general call for willing offerings from the people (vv. 4-9), and the subsequent specific details of what materials and skilled workers were needed (vv. 10-19). Verse 7 directly relates to the list of essential materials that "every wisehearted among you shall come and make all that the Lord has commanded" (v. 10). Historically, the Israelites, having been freed from slavery in Egypt and currently encamped at Sinai, were about to embark on their desert journey. The Tabernacle's construction was crucial for God to dwell among them as their leader and guide, establishing a portable center for worship and sacrifice, a tangible sign of His presence in their midst. This period underscores God's commitment to dwelling with His people despite their failures, by providing specific plans for atonement and fellowship.

Exodus 35 7 Word analysis

• and rams’ skins (וְעֹרֹת אֵילִם, və‘orōṯ ’êlîm):

  • və (וְ): Conjunction "and," connecting this to previous items in the list.
  • ‘orōṯ (עֹרֹת): Plural of ‘ôr (עוֹר), meaning "skin," "hide," or "leather." Implies skins that have been processed or treated for use, not raw.
  • ’êlîm (אֵילִם): Plural of ’ayil (אַיִל), "ram," a male sheep. Rams were significant in Israelite worship as sacrificial animals, highlighting the integration of materials from their everyday and religious lives into the Tabernacle's construction. Their skins offered durability.

• dyed red (מְאָדָּמִים, mə’addāmîm):

  • From the verb root ’ādam (אָדַם), "to be red" or "to dye red."
  • Signifies a deliberate treatment of the ram skins. The color red often holds symbolic significance, potentially linked to blood (atonement, life), earth, or vibrancy. In the Tabernacle's context (Exod 26:14), this striking red layer likely formed an important, perhaps beautiful, part of the protective coverings, perhaps seen by priests entering the holy place.

• and badgers’ skins (וְעֹרֹת תְּחָשִׁים, və‘orōṯ təḥāšîm):

  • və‘orōṯ: "and skins of" (as above).
  • təḥāšîm (תְּחָשִׁים): Plural of taḥaš (תַּחַשׁ). The precise identification of taḥaš is debated among scholars and ancient translations. It has been variously rendered as "badger," "seal," "dugong," "porpoise," or even "sea cow," reflecting an animal whose skin provided exceptionally durable, perhaps water-resistant, leather. Some suggest it refers to a particular, unidentified high-quality leather. Its critical role as the outermost, protective layer of the Tabernacle (Exod 26:14) suggests its imperviousness to the harsh desert environment, protecting the more delicate inner layers.

• and acacia wood (וַעֲצֵי שִׁטִּים, va‘ăṣê šittîm):

  • va (וַ): Conjunction "and."
  • ‘ăṣê (עֲצֵי): Plural of ‘ēṣ (עֵץ), "tree" or "wood."
  • šittîm (שִׁטִּים): Refers specifically to the acacia tree (Acacia nilotica or Acacia seyal), abundant in the Sinai wilderness where the Israelites were encamped.
  • Significance: Acacia wood is exceptionally hard, dense, durable, and naturally resistant to decay and insects. This made it an ideal and readily available material for the foundational and structural elements of the Tabernacle and its holy furniture, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table for showbread, and the altars. Its selection emphasizes strength, stability, and longevity, essential for a structure meant to house the presence of God.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins": These two types of skins comprised the Tabernacle's primary protective coverings. The "rams' skins dyed red" likely formed a more aesthetically appealing layer beneath the outermost, while the "badgers’ skins" provided a robust, waterproof, and durable shield against the desert elements. Together, they illustrate God's command for comprehensive protection for His dwelling, both functional and potentially symbolic in appearance. This pair represents layers of spiritual reality, from outward protective measures to inner beauty.
  • "and acacia wood": This material stands distinctly as the fundamental structural component. It formed the unyielding core and framework for nearly all the sacred furnishings and the Tabernacle structure itself. The contrast between flexible coverings and solid, durable wood highlights the Tabernacle's dual nature as both portable and structurally sound, designed for enduring service in the harsh wilderness, a testament to the unchanging God dwelling among a moving people. The inclusion of common desert materials alongside precious metals underscores the sanctification of ordinary resources when dedicated to God.

Exodus 35 7 Bonus section

• Divine Design Precision: The detailed specification of each material, down to the type of wood and animal skin, showcases the precision and intentionality of God's design. This was not a general instruction, but a specific blueprint reflecting God's order and holiness. This contrasts sharply with arbitrary human constructs or pagan practices which often lacked such deliberate and practical sacred architecture.
• Symbolic Hues: Beyond their functional role, the red hue of the ram skins could be seen symbolically as an ever-present reminder of the necessity of blood atonement and sacrifice, central to the Tabernacle’s function. The tachash skins, being outermost, were practical, but their debateable appearance (possibly dark, coarse) might have obscured the inner glory, pointing to how divine glory is often veiled in humility or in forms not outwardly majestic (cf. Isa 53:2 on Christ).
• Sustainability and Resourcefulness: The use of acacia wood highlights the principle of divine economy and resourcefulness within the context of the wilderness. God called for materials that were readily available in the environment the Israelites were in, thereby teaching reliance on His provision and wise stewardship of given resources, rather than demanding the impossible.
• Foreshadowing Christ's Covering: In typological interpretation, the multiple layers of the Tabernacle coverings, including these skins, are often seen to foreshadow the complex nature of Christ. He is the ultimate "covering" for His people, His sacrifice being the blood that makes atonement, and His humanity providing the outward "ordinary" form that protected His divine glory. The durability of the skins hints at the lasting power and efficacy of His redemptive work.

Exodus 35 7 Commentary

Exodus 35:7 specifies a portion of the essential contributions for the Tabernacle's construction, focusing on its protective coverings and primary structural elements. The "rams’ skins dyed red" provided a significant inner layer for the outer covering, perhaps alluding to the blood of atonement or a vivid aesthetic aspect visible to some, depending on its specific placement. The "badgers’ skins" (tachash), whose exact animal source remains debated but universally understood as highly durable and waterproof, formed the crucial outermost shell. This robust layer ensured the sacred structure’s resilience against the severe weather of the Sinai desert, highlighting God’s providential care for the details of His dwelling and the people's safety.

Alongside these coverings, "acacia wood" (shittim wood), plentiful in the wilderness, was commanded. Its inherent hardness, density, and resistance to decay made it the perfect choice for the framework of the Tabernacle boards, the Ark of the Covenant, and other essential pieces of furniture. This demonstrates divine wisdom in utilizing available, fit-for-purpose materials, rather than requiring exotic ones, yet elevating common materials to sacred status through their intended use. The instruction to contribute these specific items underscores that the construction of God's sanctuary was a collective effort, requiring various gifts—from the most precious metals to the practical and mundane—all given willingly from the heart to establish a place for God's presence among His people.