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Exodus 25:5 — Word Study

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WLCוְעֹרֹ֨ת אֵילִ֧ם מְאָדָּמִ֛ים וְעֹרֹ֥ת תְּחָשִׁ֖ים וַעֲצֵ֥י שִׁטִּֽים׃

BSAramʼayil skinsʻôwr dyed redʼâdam [dyed crimson, made red] and fine leathertachash [sealskins, badgers' skins] acaciashiṭṭâh woodʻêts [shittim wood, from thorny trees]

Word
Listen & take awayExodus 25
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 5 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (shi.Tim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Exodus 25:5quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse lists materials for the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of specific items.
What is being describedMaterials used in the construction of the tabernacle.
Key materialsRam skins dyed red, fine leather, and acacia wood.
Take awayThese materials reflect the care and detail in God's instructions for the tabernacle.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָדֹם The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Exodus 25:5

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Materials for the Tabernaclegenerated

4blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
5ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;
6olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
7and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

Exodus 25:5 details the specific materials required for constructing the tabernacle, a sacred space for worship. This verse is part of a larger section that outlines God's instructions to Moses regarding the tabernacle's design and materials, emphasizing the significance of each item in the service of God. The materials mentioned are not only practical but also carry symbolic meanings, reflecting the holiness of the space they will help create.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 26:14Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.
2Exodus 26:15–26You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.
3Exodus 27:1“You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.
4Exodus 36:20Next, he constructed upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, andExodus 26:14

The Key Word עור, 'orgenerated

The word עור (or) means skin or hide, referring to both human skin and animal hides. In this context, it denotes the hides of animals used for making leather, highlighting their importance in the tabernacle's construction.

This term appears frequently in the Old Testament, emphasizing its relevance in various contexts, such as clothing and sacrificial offerings. The parsing as a feminine plural construct indicates multiple hides, reinforcing the idea of abundance in the materials used.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the materials listed in this verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse features a series of noun phrases linked by conjunctions, with the main focus on the materials: וְעֹרֹ֨ת אֵילִ֧ם מְאָדָּמִ֛ים (and hides of rams dyed red) followed by additional materials. This construction emphasizes the list of items needed for the tabernacle.

The Hebrew word order places the materials prominently, suggesting their significance in the overall context of the tabernacle's construction.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates עור as δέρματα (dermata), which also means skins or hides. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the materials' physicality.

The use of κριῶν for אֵילִם (rams) indicates a specific reference to the type of animal, consistent with the Hebrew text, while also aligning with the sacrificial practices in the Greek-speaking Jewish community.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Exodus 25:5 lists the materials needed for the tabernacle: ram skins dyed red, fine leather, and acacia wood. These items were essential for creating the sacred space where the Israelites would worship God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What is the significance of the materials listed in Exodus 25:5?

The materials reflect the care and detail in God's instructions for the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of specific items in worship.

Why are ram skins dyed red specifically mentioned?

The red dye may symbolize sacrifice and atonement, connecting to the sacrificial system in Israel's worship.

What does fine leather refer to in this context?

Fine leather likely indicates high-quality hides, suitable for the sacred items in the tabernacle.

What is acacia wood used for in the tabernacle?

Acacia wood is known for its durability and strength, making it suitable for constructing the framework of the tabernacle.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What do the materials used in the tabernacle tell us about God's expectations for worship?
  2. How can we apply the principle of offering our best to God in our own lives?
  3. What significance do you think the colors and materials have in the context of worship?
  4. How does understanding the materials help us appreciate the tabernacle's role in Israelite worship?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Richard Challoner comments on the materials, noting their significance in the context of the tabernacle's construction.

Richard Challoner 1691–1781
Setim wood: The wood of a tree that grows in the wilderness, which is said to be incorruptible.
Early Church Fathers on Exodus 25 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Exodus 25:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And rams' skins died red,.... Of these were made a covering for the tent or tabernacle: and badgers' skins, which were for the same use: the Septuagint version calls them hyacinth or blue skins;

Read John Gill on Exodus 25 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, Rams' skins dyed red - red morocco leather (see the processes of tanning and dyeing leather among the ancient Egyptians described,

Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 25 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A kind of wood growing in Egypt and the deserts of Arabia, very durable and precious. See .

Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 25 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exodus 25:5 And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,Ver. 5. Shittim wood.] A kind of cedar that rotteth not.

Read John Trapp on Exodus 25 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Rams’ skins dyed red.—North Africa has always been celebrated for the production of the best possible leather. Herodotus describes the manufacture of his own times (Hist. iv. 189). Even at the present day, we bind our best books in morocco. Brilliant colours always were, and still are, affected by the North African races, and their “red skins” have been famous in all ages. It is probable that the Israelites had brought with them many skins of this kind out of Egypt. Badgers’ skins.—The badger is not a native of North Africa, nor of the Arabian desert; and the translation of the Hebrew takhash by “badger” is a very improbable conjecture. In Arabic, tukhash or dukhash is the name of a…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 25 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 5. Rams' skins dyed red] ערת אילם מאדמים oroth eylim meoddamim, literally, the skins of red rams. It is a fact attested by many respectable travellers, that in the Levant sheep are often to be met with that have red or violet-coloured fleeces. And almost all ancient writers speak of the same thing. Homer describes the rams of Polyphemus as having a violet-coloured fleece. Αρσενεςοΐεςησανεΰτρεφεες, δασυμαλλοι, Καλοιτε, μεγαλοιτε, ιοδνεφεςειροςεχοντες. Odyss., lib. ix., ver. 425. "Strong were the rams, with native purple fair, Well fed, and largest of the fleecy care." POPE. Pliny, Aristotle, and others mention the same. And from facts of this kind it is very probable that the fable…

Read AdamClarke on Exodus 25 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. Skins and wood. rams’ skins dyed red] These formed the second covering over the certains (Exodus 26:14). sealskins] Heb. ‘skins of tĕ ?ḥ ?βshim,’ a word of uncertain meaning. In Arab. tuḥ ?as or duḥ ?as means a dolphin, which makes it probable that the dugong (Malay duyong, a sea-cow) is meant, an animal in general appearance not unlike a dolphin, though with a larger and blunter nose (see ill. in Toy’s Ezekiel, in SBOT., p. 124), species of which are common in the Red Sea; their thick and hard skins supply the Bedawin of the Sin. Peninsula with material for sandals (NHB. 44 f.; EB. i. 450 f.). An alternative view has been propounded lately, which may also be right, that taḥ ?ash is a…

Read Cambridge on Exodus 25 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

5. Rams’ skins dyed red — “These skins may have been tanned and coloured like the leather now known as red morocco, which is said to have been manufactured in Libya from the remotest antiquity.” — Speaker’s Commentary.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 25 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;

WEBWorld English Bible2000

rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood;

NETBNew English Translation2006

ram skins dyed red, fine leather, acacia wood,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

and rams’ skins dyed red, and sealskins, and acacia wood,

RVARevised Version, American1894

and rams’ skins dyed red, and sealskins, and acacia wood;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

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

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And rammes skinnes coloured red, and the skinnes of badgers, and the wood Shittim,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins; and acacia-wood;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and rams' skins made red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and rams’ skins made red, and tachashim skins, and shittim wood,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And rams' skins died red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

ram skins dyed red and sea cow hides; acacia wood;

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And rams’ skins dyed red, and violet skins, and setim wood:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

ram skins that have been tanned, and fine leather; acacia wood;

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood;

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וְandclausenoun phrase · predicatenoun phrasenoun phraseעֹרֹ֨תhidesאֵילִ֧םof.ramsמְאָדָּמִ֛יםdyed.redוְandnoun phraseעֹרֹ֥תskinsתְּחָשִׁ֖יםof.dolphinsוַandnoun phraseעֲצֵ֥יwood(s)שִׁטִּֽיםof.acacia

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the key materials listed in this verse, with the Septuagint providing a direct word-for-word correspondence. The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, shows some variation, with three words differing from the Masoretic Text, indicating a different tradition in the textual transmission.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וְעֹרֹ֨ת אֵילִ֧ם מְאָדָּמִ֛ים וְעֹרֹ֥ת תְּחָשִׁ֖ים וַעֲצֵ֥י שִׁטִּֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְעֹרֹ֨תδέρματαאֵילִ֧םκριῶνמְאָדָּמִ֛יםἠρυθροδανωμέναוְעֹרֹ֥תδέρματαתְּחָשִׁ֖יםὑακίνθιναוַעֲצֵ֥יχύλαשִׁטִּֽים׃ἄσηπτα

7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ועורות אילים מאדמים ועורות תחשׁים ועצי שׁטים

3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: עורות (skin), אילים (ram, despot), עורות (skin)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Exodus 25:5עוֹרand hides oand hides ofעוֹראַ֫יִלramsramsאַ֫יִלאָדֹםdyed reddyed redאָדֹםעוֹרand hides oand hides ofעוֹרתַּ֫חַשׁdolphinsdolphinsתַּ֫חַשׁעֵץand wood ofand wood ofעֵץשִׁטָּהacaciaacaciaשִׁטָּהעוּרעוּרעָצָהto shutto shutעָצָהאוּלstrengthstrengthאוּלשֹׁטֵטשֹׁטֵטבֵּיתבֵּיתאָדֹםto reddento reddenאָדֹםתַּ֫חַשׁleatherleatherתַּ֫חַשׁמִכְסֶהcoveringcoveringמִכְסֶהעַתּוּדgoatgoatעַתּוּדכֶּ֫בֶשׂlamblambכֶּ֫בֶשׂשִׁטָּהacaciaacaciaשִׁטָּהאֶ֫רֶזcedarcedarאֶ֫רֶזצָפָהto overlayto overlayצָפָהעֵץtree: woodtree: woodעֵץ
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Exodus 25:5

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
וְעֹרֹ֨תve.'o.Rot and hides of H5785 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
99× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Tyndale gloss
skin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹר 99 n.m. skin

of men (55 t.)

hide of animals (44 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)

. hide of men (44 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5785 `owr ore

from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,

leather:--hide, leather, skin.

see HEBREW for 05783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹר (or) — skin.

1) skin, hide

1a) skin (of men)

1b) hide (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
HC/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
אֵילִ֧ם'ei.Lim rams H352 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
187× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Tyndale gloss
ram
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַ֫יִל (ayil) encompasses several meanings, including 'ram,' 'projecting pillar or pilaster,' 'leader or chief,' and 'terebinth.' It is derived from a root meaning strength, suggesting a connection to might and support. The term appears in various contexts, reflecting its diverse applications in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַ֫יִל 156 n.m. ram (as leader of flock)

base

אַ֫יִל n.[m.] projecting pillar or pilaster

base

[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. leader, chief

base

[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. terebinth

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H352a אַ֫יִל ram H352b אַ֫יִל projecting pillar or pilaster H352c אַ֫יִל leader, chief H352d אַ֫יִל terebinth

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

352 'ayil ah'-yil

from the same as 193; 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.

see HEBREW for 0193

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — ram.

1) ram

1a) ram (as food)

1b) ram (as sacrifice)

1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — pillar.

pillar, door post, jambs, pilaster

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — leader.

strong man, leader, chief

אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — terebinth.

mighty tree, terebinth

Aramaic equivalent: i.lan (אִילָן "tree" H0363)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
מְאָדָּמִ֛יםme.'a.da.Mim dyed red H119 Verb · Pual · participle (passive) masculine plural
10× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to turn red or flush, often used to describe someone's face. It appears in the Bible to describe people with a ruddy complexion, like David in 1 Samuel 16:12. The word is also used to describe things that are dyed red.
Amplified meaning
dyed crimson, made red
Tyndale gloss
to redden
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָדֹם (*'adam*) means 'to be red' and encompasses various forms of redness, such as flushing or turning rosy. It includes uses in different verbal stems, indicating actions like reddening, being dyed red, or showing redness. The entries highlight its application to individuals, such as Nazirites, who are described as ruddy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָדֹם, אָדֵם] vb. be red

Qal ruddy, of Nazirites

Pu. Pt. reddened, dyed red

Hithp. Impf. redden, grow or look red

Hiph. Impf. emit (show) redness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H119 אָדֹם, אָדֵם be red

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

119 'adam aw-dam'

to show blood (in the face), i.e. flush or turn rosy:--be

(dyed, made) red (ruddy).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָדֹם (a.dam) — to redden.

1) to be red, red

1a) (Qal) ruddy (of Nazarites)

1b) (Pual)

1b1) to be rubbed red

1b2) dyed red

1b3) reddened

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to show red

1c2) to glare

1c3) to emit (show) redness

1d) (Hithpael)

1d1) to redden

1d2) to grow red

1d3) to look red

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Inf-c — Verb · Pual · participle (passive) masculine plural
HVPsmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See COLORS, (10).

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See COLOR

Thompson Chain Reference topics

a colour

Ex 35:23; Nu 19:2; Es 1:6; Isa 1:18; 63:2

and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
וְעֹרֹ֥תve.'o.Rot and hides of H5785 Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
99× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Tyndale gloss
skin
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עוֹר 99 n.m. skin

of men (55 t.)

hide of animals (44 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)

. hide of men (44 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5785 `owr ore

from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,

leather:--hide, leather, skin.

see HEBREW for 05783

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוֹר (or) — skin.

1) skin, hide

1a) skin (of men)

1b) hide (of animals)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncfpc — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct
HC/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
תְּחָשִׁ֖יםte.cha.Shim dolphins H8476 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a type of animal hide, possibly from a badger or antelope, used to make leather. It is mentioned in the Bible as a material for certain priestly items. The word appears in Exodus and Ezekiel.
Amplified meaning
sealskins, badgers' skins
Tyndale gloss
leather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תַּ֫חַשׁ (tachash) refers to a type of leather or skin, possibly from a clean animal like a badger or an extinct species. The entries suggest it may also denote the animal that produces this leather. There is some uncertainty about the specific animal associated with this term.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תַּ֫חַשׁ n.m. taḫaš, a kind of leather or skin, and perh. the animal yielding it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8476 תַּ֫חַשׁ a kind of leather or skin, and perh. the animal yielding it

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8476 tachash takh'-ash

probably of foreign derivation; a (clean) animal with fur,

probably a species of antelope:--badger.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תַּ֫חַשׁ (ta.chash) — leather.

1) a kind of leather, skin, or animal hide

1a) perhaps the animal yielding the skin

1a1) perhaps the badger or dugong, dolphin, or sheep, or a now extinct animal

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
וַעֲצֵ֥יva.'a.Tzei and wood of H6086 Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
330× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Amplified meaning
shittim wood, from thorny trees
Tyndale gloss
tree: wood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֵץ (ets) refers to a tree or wood, encompassing various forms such as timber, sticks, and planks. It can denote both singular and plural trees, as well as specific uses like gallows and firewood. The word is derived from a root meaning firmness, indicating its solid nature.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֵץ 329 n.m. tree, trees, wood

(c. 150 t.)

a standing tree

coll. trees

(c. 175 t.; c. 120 t. pl., to denote pieces [or articles] of wood)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6086 עֵץ tree, trees, wood . (c. 150 t.) . a standing tree

. coll. trees

. (c. 175 t.; c. 120 t. pl., to denote pieces [or articles] of wood)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6086 `ets ates

from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural

sticks):--+ carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff,

stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.

see HEBREW for 06095

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֵץ (ets) — tree: wood.

: wood

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree.

: tree

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: stick.

: stick/log

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: stake.

: stake/shaft

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

עֵץ (ets) — tree: carpenter.

: carpenter/wood(worker)

1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows

1a) tree, trees

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct
HC/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and hides of rams dyed red and hides of dolphins and wood of acacia
שִׁטִּֽים׃shi.Tim acacia H7848 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
28× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The acacia tree, known for its thorns, is described by this word, which is also used to describe the wood used to build the Tabernacle in Exodus.
Tyndale gloss
acacia
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁטָּה (shittah) refers to the acacia tree and its wood. It is a feminine noun, primarily appearing in the plural form שִׁטִּים (shittim), which denotes sticks of wood. The entries consistently identify this word with the acacia, known for its thorns.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁטָּה 27 n.f. acacia, tree and wood

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7848 שִׁטָּה acacia, tree and wood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7848 shittah shit-taw'

feminine of a derivative (only in the plural shittiym

{shit-teem'}; meaning the sticks of wood) from the same as

7850; the acacia (from its scourging thorns):--shittah,

shittim. See also 1029.

see HEBREW for 07850

see HEBREW for 01029

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁטָּה (shit.tah) — acacia.

acacia tree, acacia wood

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-ka'-sha (shiTTah, the shittah tree of the King James Version, Isa 41:19, and `atse-shiTTah, acacia wood; shittah wood the King James Version, Ex 25:5,10,13; 26:15,26; 27:1,6; De 10:3.): ShiTTah (= shinTah) is equivalent to the Arabic sant which is now the name of the Acacia Nilotica (NO, Leguminosae), but no doubt the name once included other species of desert acacias. If one particular species is indicated in the Old Testament it is probably the Acacia Seyal--the Arabic Seyyal--which yields the well-known gum- arabic This tree, which has finely leaves ular flowers, grows to a height of twenty feet or more, and its stem may sometimes reach two feet in thickness. The tree often assumes a characteristic umbrella-like form. The…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Acacia

(Heb. shittim) Ex. 25:5, R.V. probably the Acacia seyal (the gum-arabic tree); called the “shittah” tree (Isa. 41:19). Its wood is called shittim wood (Ex. 26:15,26; 25:10,13,23,28, etc.). This species (A. seyal) is like the hawthorn, a gnarled and thorny tree. It yields the gum-arabic of commerce. It is found in abundance in the Sinaitic peninsula.

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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