Exodus 25:4
ESV
blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats ' hair,
NIV
blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;
NASB
violet, purple, and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair,
CSB
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
NLT
blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth;
KJV
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
NKJV
blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair;
What does Exodus 25:4 mean?
God is instructing the people of Israel to collect resources for a unique project (Exodus 25:1–2). These will be used to create a sacred meeting place. There, Israel will offer worship and sacrifice. The ark of the covenant is one of these famous items (Exodus 25:10–11). Precious metals are part of the donations needed (Exodus 25:3). Much of the gold will be needed for gilding ritual objects. Metals such as bronze would be useful for structural components and curtain rings.The sanctuary itself would be called a "tabernacle," or a type of tent. It could be transported as Israel made their way through the wilderness. Most of the materials requested in this verse are for use in making tent fabric (Exodus 26:1). In the ancient world, these colors were expensive and difficult to produce. These textiles will also form a veil separating the two holiest sections of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:36–37).
Goat skins are among the natural materials added to the list (Exodus 25:5).
