And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

EXODUS 35:6KJV
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Exodus 35:6 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:6 mean?

Exodus 35:6 lists specific materials—blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, and goats’ hair—that were to be gathered for the construction of the tabernacle. These materials were valuable and chosen for their quality and symbolic significance in the making of Israel’s sacred tent.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as he relays God’s instructions for building the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used during their journey in the wilderness. The verse highlights the importance of community contribution and the careful selection of materials for worship, showing that every detail of the tabernacle’s construction was intentional and meaningful.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:6

  • "Blue" (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet) refers to a deep blue dye, often associated with royalty or divinity in the ancient world. Its inclusion points to the richness and sacredness of the tabernacle’s design.
  • "Purple" (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) is a costly dye made from certain sea snails, symbolizing wealth and nobility. Using this color underlines the honor given to God’s dwelling place.
  • "Scarlet" (שָׁנִי, shani and תּוֹלַעַת, tola‘at) involves a vivid red dye, sometimes linked to sacrifice or purification. The combination of these two words often refers to a specific type of scarlet yarn.
  • "Fine linen" (שֵׁשׁ, shesh) is a high-quality, white fabric made from flax, valued for its purity and strength. Its use in the tabernacle’s construction emphasizes cleanliness and excellence.
  • "Goats’" (עֵז, ez) refers to the hair of goats, which was spun into a coarse but durable fabric. This material provided practical strength and protection for the tabernacle’s coverings.

Why Exodus 35:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the tabernacle was not built from ordinary or random materials, but from items that were rare, beautiful, and meaningful, reflecting the reverence due to God.
  • The careful listing of materials helps the reader see the communal effort required; every Israelite could contribute something, whether precious dye or practical goat hair.
  • By connecting to the larger instructions for the tabernacle, Exodus 35:6 shows how every detail in Israel’s worship space was designed with purpose, blending beauty, symbolism, and function.

Where else these words appear

“linen” Hebrew H8336 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“purple” Hebrew H713 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
  • Exodus 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“scarlet” Hebrew H8144 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
  • Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

“scarlet” Hebrew H8438 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • Exodus 36:8 And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.
  • Leviticus 14:49 And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: