Exodus 35:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 35:7
7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Chapter Context
Exodus 35 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, salvation, prayer. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-35: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 35:7
7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Analysis
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).
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.
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?