Exodus 26:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou shalt make a covering for the tent [of] rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above [of] badgers' skins.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"You are to make a covering for the tent of tanned ram skins and an outer covering of fine leather.

Berean Standard Bible:

Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sealskins above.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt make{H6213} a covering{H4372} for the tent{H168} of rams{H352}' skins{H5785} dyed red{H119}, and a covering{H4372} above{H4605} of badgers{H8476}' skins{H5785}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 36:19

  • And he made a covering for the tent [of] rams' skins dyed red, and a covering [of] badgers' skins above [that].

Exodus 25:5

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

Psalms 121:4

  • Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalms 121:5

  • The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.

Isaiah 4:6

  • And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Exodus 39:34

  • And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,

Numbers 4:10

  • And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar.

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Commentary for Exodus 26:14

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Instruction:** The verse reflects the theme of God providing detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following divine blueprints for sacred spaces.
- **Purity and Separation:** The use of specific materials for coverings signifies the sanctity and separation of the holy space from the secular world.
- **Sacrifice and Atonement:** Rams' skins dyed red may symbolize sacrifice and atonement, as red dye could be reminiscent of blood, which is a recurring theme in the sacrificial system for the remission of sins.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Exodus is set in the time following the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during their wilderness wanderings, approximately the 13th century BCE.
- **The Tabernacle:** This verse is part of the instructions given to Moses for constructing the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as God's dwelling place among the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land.
- **Materials:** Rams' skins and badgers' skins were chosen for their durability and availability, reflecting the materials that would have been accessible to the Israelites in the ancient Near East. The rams' skins were dyed red, possibly to add a layer of beauty or significance, and the badgers' skins (the exact animal referred to is debated, with some translations suggesting "porpoise skins" or "fine leather") would have provided a waterproof outer layer.
- **Cultural Significance:** The construction of the tabernacle was a communal effort that fostered a sense of unity and purpose among the Israelites, as they worked together to create a space for worship and to house the presence of God.

In summary, Exodus 26:14 highlights the meticulous nature of God's instructions for the tabernacle, with the materials chosen for the coverings reflecting themes of sacrifice, purity, and divine presence, set against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  2. Strong's Number: H4372
    There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִכְסֶה
    Transliteration: mikçeh
    Pronunciation: mik-seh'
    Description: from כָּסָה; a covering, i.e. weatherboarding; covering.
  3. Strong's Number: H168
    There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֹהֶל
    Transliteration: ʼôhel
    Pronunciation: o'-hel
    Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
  4. Strong's Number: H352
    There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַיִל
    Transliteration: ʼayil
    Pronunciation: ah'-yil
    Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
  5. Strong's Number: H5785
    There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עוֹר
    Transliteration: ʻôwr
    Pronunciation: ore
    Description: from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin.
  6. Strong's Number: H119
    There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָדַם
    Transliteration: ʼâdam
    Pronunciation: aw-dam'
    Description: to show blood (in the face), i.e.; flush or turn rosy; be (dyed, made) red (ruddy).
  7. Strong's Number: H4605
    There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַעַל
    Transliteration: maʻal
    Pronunciation: mah'al
    Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.
  8. Strong's Number: H8476
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תַּחַשׁ
    Transliteration: tachash
    Pronunciation: takh'-ash
    Description: probably of foreign derivation; a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope; badger.