Question 1

What does Exodus 39:34 mean?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 39:34 lists specific coverings and the veil made for the tabernacle, highlighting the use of rams’ skins dyed red, another layer of animal skins, and the veil that separated the holy spaces. This verse describes some of the carefully crafted materials that formed the protective and sacred layers of the tabernacle. In this part of Exodus, skilled workers are finishing the tabernacle as God instructed Moses. The verse focuses on the coverings and veil, which were essential for both protecting the tabernacle and marking out its most holy areas. The details show the care and obedience given to God’s specific directions for worship.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Exodus 39:34

Accepted Answer

The word for "covering" (מִכְסֶה, mikseh, H4372) refers to an outer layer or protective covering, emphasizing that these skins were not just decorative but served as a shield for the tabernacle. "Rams’" (אַיִל, ayil, H352) and "skins" (עוֹר, `or, H5785) together point to the use of animal hides, with the rams’ skins being specially dyed "red" (אָדֵם, adom, H119), which often symbolized richness or significance. The "badgers’" (תַּחַשׁ, tachash, H8476) skins are from an animal whose exact identity is debated, but the term signals a second, distinct layer of animal hide, possibly for extra durability or weatherproofing. The "vail" (פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet, H6532) and its "covering" (מָסָךְ, masakh, H4539) refer to the inner curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, marking the boundary of God’s presence.

Question 3

Why Exodus 39:34 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse shows the attention to detail and obedience in following God’s instructions, which is a theme throughout the tabernacle’s construction. The mention of multiple coverings and the veil highlights the importance of both protecting what is holy and setting apart sacred space within Israel’s worship. Understanding the materials and their arrangement helps clarify how the tabernacle was both a practical shelter and a symbol of God’s presence among the people.

Exodus 39:34 (KJV)