Exodus 35:7
And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Original Language Analysis
אֵילִ֧ם
And rams
H352
אֵילִ֧ם
And rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
מְאָדָּמִ֛ים
dyed red
H119
מְאָדָּמִ֛ים
dyed red
Strong's:
H119
Word #:
3 of 7
to show blood (in the face), i.e., flush or turn rosy
תְּחָשִׁ֖ים
and badgers
H8476
תְּחָשִׁ֖ים
and badgers
Strong's:
H8476
Word #:
5 of 7
a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope
Historical Context
The exact identity of techashim remains debated—possibly dugongs from the Red Sea, or a leather processed to be water-resistant. These durable outer coverings protected the tabernacle during desert wanderings, demonstrating practical design alongside symbolic meaning.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the progression from glorious inner materials to plain outer coverings teach about spiritual realities versus external appearances?
- How does the use of animal skins in the tabernacle point to the necessity of substitutionary sacrifice?
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Analysis & Commentary
Rams' skins dyed red (עֹרֹת אֵילִם מְאָדָּמִים, orot eilim me'addamim) and badgers' skins (עֹרֹת תְּחָשִׁים, orot techashim) provided protective coverings. The red-dyed rams' skins evoke substitutionary sacrifice—rams throughout Scripture symbolize sacrificial atonement (Genesis 22, Leviticus 16). The outer covering of badger/dugong skins was plain and protective, concealing the glory within, much as Christ's humanity veiled His divine glory (Isaiah 53:2).