Bible Strands
Exodus 25:4
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God dictates to Moses the specific textiles required for constructing the tabernacle. This instruction occurs during the Sinai revelation, immediately after listing metallic offerings and before detailing additional coverings and structural materials.
The words — The Hebrew תְּכֵלֶת (techelet) denotes blue or violet dye, while אַרְגָּמָן (argaman) specifies purple material. תוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי (toleat shani) translates to scarlet yarn derived from a specific insect, and שֵׁשׁ (shesh) refers to finely spun linen.
The thread — Fine linen appears in Genesis 41:42 as royal attire for Joseph and in Ezekiel 16:10 as part of covenantal clothing. Revelation 19:8 later interprets fine linen symbolically as the righteous acts of believers.
Why it lands — The text commands the provision of specific, costly dyes and fabrics for sacred construction without offering aesthetic or theological explanation. It requires tangible obedience through the collection of designated resources for the community's worship space.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
Cross-references
- Revelation 19:8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
- Ezekiel 16:10 I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.