Exodus 25:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 25:5 mean?

Exodus 25:5 lists specific materials—rams’ skins dyed red, badgers’ skins, and shittim wood—that the Israelites were to bring for constructing the tabernacle. These items were part of a larger collection of offerings requested by God through Moses to build a sacred place for worship.

God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, instructing him on how to gather materials from the people for the tabernacle’s construction. The verse highlights the importance of particular animal skins and a special type of wood, showing that every detail of the tabernacle was carefully chosen. Each material had a purpose in the structure or coverings of the sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 25:5

• רָאמ (’ayil, H352) — “rams”: This word refers specifically to male sheep, whose skins were to be used after being dyed red. Rams’ skins were valued for their durability and were used for the tabernacle’s outer covering.
• אָדֹם (’adam, H119) — “red”: This word means “red” and describes the color the rams’ skins were dyed, likely for both practical and symbolic reasons.
• תַּחַשׁ (taḥash, H8476) — “badgers’”: The exact animal meant is uncertain; it could be a sea mammal or another durable animal, but the key idea is a tough, protective skin for the outermost covering.
• שִׁטָּה (shittim, H7848) — “shittim”: This refers to acacia wood, a hard, dense wood native to the region, chosen for its strength and resistance to decay.

Why Exodus 25:5 matters

• Exodus 25:5 shows that God gave very specific instructions for the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following divine directions down to the materials used.
• The mention of unusual items like dyed rams’ skins and “badgers’ skins” (or possibly another animal) highlights the care taken to make the tabernacle both beautiful and durable.
• The verse connects to the larger passage by showing how the Israelites’ offerings were not random but thoughtfully selected for their qualities, setting the stage for the tabernacle as a unique and holy place.