tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The mention of "rams' skins dyed red" and "goatskins" might seem like just a list of materials, but it subtly highlights God's intent to use resources readily available to the Israelites, even those dyed or prepared in ways they likely learned in Egypt, showing His grace in incorporating their past into His holy plan.
tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood,
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just instructed Moses to gather materials for the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred dwelling place where He would meet His people. This verse lists specific items for the outer coverings and structural elements of this dwelling, including treated animal skins and a particular type of wood. These materials are to be willingly offered by the Israelites, setting the stage for the detailed plans that follow for crafting this holy sanctuary.
God's dwelling place wasn't built from gold and marble alone. Look closer at the humble, yet precious, materials God chose.
The list of materials for the Tabernacle is fascinating! We see dyed rams' skins and acacia wood.
Humble Origins, Divine Purpose
What are 'badgers' skins' and why are they part of God's holy dwelling?
The mention of 'badgers' skins' (or 'tahash skins' in the original language) is a bit of a puzzle! Scholars have debated for centuries what animal this refers to.
Unraveling the 'Tahash'
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Understand the original words
shittim · Hebrew Noun
A durable, decay-resistant wood from the acacia tree, used extensively in building the tabernacle’s structure and furniture; it often serves as a symbol of incorruptibility and humanity.
This verse also describes beautiful sandals made from fine leather, possibly similar to the 'taḥash' skins mentioned for the Tabernacle, highlighting the use of durable and finely prepared animal hides in ancient Israel.
Isaiah 41:19This prophetic passage mentions the acacia tree (shittim wood) being planted in the wilderness, connecting the specific wood used for the Tabernacle to God's future provision and blessing in desolate places.
Genesis 6:14Here, Noah is instructed to coat the ark with pitch (a similar Hebrew root to 'taḥash'), suggesting a theme of protection and preservation through specialized materials for sacred structures.
Revelation 21:19This future vision of the New Jerusalem describes its foundations made of various precious stones and its walls of pure gold, echoing the use of precious and carefully prepared materials in God's dwelling places, both past and future.
gillExodus 25:5: "And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,"
And rams' skins died red,.... Of these were made a covering for the tent or tabernacle: and badgers' skins, which were for the same use: the Septuagint version calls them hyacinth or blue skins; according to which, they seem to be the rams' skins died blue; and so Josephus (b) seems to have understood it; and it is much questionable whether the same creature is meant we call the badger, since that with the Israelites…
clarkeExodus 25:5: "And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,"
Rams' skins dyed red - ערת אילם מאדמים oroth eylim meoddamim, literally, the skins of red rams. It is a fact attested by many respectable travelers, that in the Levant sheep are often to be met with that have red or violet-coloured fleeces. And almost all ancient writers speak of the same thing. Homer describes the rams of Polyphemus as having a violet-coloured fleece. Αρσενες οΐες ησαν εΰτρεφεες, δασυμαλλοι, Καλο…
The mention of "rams' skins dyed red" and "goatskins" might seem like just a list of materials, but it subtly highlights God's intent to use resources readily available to the Israelites, even those dyed or prepared in ways they likely learned in Egypt, showing His grace in incorporating their past into His holy plan.
God has just instructed Moses to gather materials for the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred dwelling place where He would meet His people. This verse lists specific items for the outer coverings and structural elements of this dwelling, including treated animal skins and a particular type of wood. These materials are to be willingly offered by the Israelites, setting the stage for the detailed plans that follow for crafting this holy sanctuary.
God has just instructed Moses to gather materials for the construction of the Tabernacle, the sacred dwelling place where He would meet His people. This verse lists specific items for the outer coverings and structural elements of this dwelling, including treated animal skins and a particular type of wood. These materials are to be willingly offered by the Israelites, setting the stage for the detailed plans that follow for crafting this holy sanctuary.
"tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood," — The mention of "rams' skins dyed red" and "goatskins" might seem like just a list of materials, but it subtly highlights God's intent to use resources readily available to the Israelites, even those…
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Last reviewed October 2026