What does Exodus 36:19 mean?
"And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that." - Exodus 36:19

Exodus 36:19 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that."
This verse is part of the detailed description of the construction of the tabernacle, the sacred tent that served as a dwelling place for the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. The tabernacle was a central component of Israelite worship, as it housed the Ark of the Covenant and served as a place for sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. The construction of the tabernacle was a significant event in the history of the Israelites, as it symbolized God's presence among his people and his faithfulness to them.
The specific mention of the rams' skins dyed red and the badgers' skins in Exodus 36:19 is part of the detailed instructions given to Moses by God for the construction of the tabernacle. These coverings were meant to provide protection and insulation for the tabernacle, as well as to signify its sacredness and separation from the rest of the camp. The use of rams' skins dyed red and badgers' skins also symbolized the preciousness and holiness of the tabernacle, as these materials would have been costly and rare in the wilderness.
The use of rams' skins dyed red may also hold symbolic significance. The color red is often associated with blood and sacrifice in the Bible, and it is possible that the use of red dyed skin represents the atoning sacrifice and the shedding of blood that was required for the forgiveness of sins. This symbolism would have been especially meaningful in the context of the tabernacle, where animal sacrifices were regularly offered to atone for the sins of the people.
The mention of badgers' skins as an outer covering also carries symbolic meaning. The badger was a clean animal according to the Jewish dietary laws, and its skin would have been considered a suitable material for use in the construction of the tabernacle. The use of badgers' skins as an outer covering may have been meant to symbolize the protection and security that the tabernacle provided for the Israelites, as well as its separation from the impurities of the world.
In a broader context, the construction of the tabernacle and the specific materials used in its construction serve as a reminder of God's holiness and his requirement for his people to approach him with reverence and awe. The detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle also demonstrate the Israelites' obedience to God's commands and their willingness to honor him with their resources and creativity.
The mention of the rams' skins dyed red and the badgers' skins in Exodus 36:19 also underscores the importance of using the best materials and craftsmanship in the service of God. The Israelites were instructed to offer the finest materials and talents for the construction of the tabernacle, as a reflection of their dedication to God and their desire to honor him with their best efforts.
In conclusion, Exodus 36:19 offers a detailed insight into the specific materials used in the construction of the tabernacle and the symbolic significance of these materials. The use of rams' skins dyed red and badgers' skins served to highlight the sacredness, protection, and separation of the tabernacle, as well as to symbolize the atoning sacrifice and the requirement for reverence and obedience in approaching God. This verse provides a rich and meaningful illustration of the Israelites' commitment to honoring God and the significance of the tabernacle as a central place of worship and encounter with the divine.
Have questions about Exodus 36:19?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Exodus 36:19 Artwork
Exodus 36:19 - "And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that."
"And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that." - Exodus 36:19
Genesis 19-36
Exodus 39:36 - "The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,"
Exodus 16:36 - "Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah."
Joshua 19:36 - "And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,"
Exodus 36:36 - "And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver."
Exodus 36:27 - "And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards."
Genesis 36:19 - "These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes."
Luke 19:36 - "And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way."
Exodus 36:7 - "For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much."
Exodus 36:28 - "And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides."
Exodus 36:20 - "¶ And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up."
Exodus 36:16 - "And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves."
Exodus 36:23 - "And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:"
Exodus 36:21 - "The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half."
Genesis 19:36 - "Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father."
Exodus 36:18 - "And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one."
Exodus 36:31 - "¶ And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,"
Leviticus 19:35-36 - "Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt."
"And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor," - Joshua 19:36
Exodus 36:33 - "And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other."
Exodus 36:25 - "And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,"
Exodus 25:36 - "Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold."
Exodus 19
Job 36:19 - "Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength."
"The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread," - Exodus 39:36
Exodus 36:34 - "And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold."
Exodus 36:37 - "¶ And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;"
Exodus 36:32 - "And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward."