Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "badgers" is often associated with the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Hebrew word translated as "badgers" in some versions of the Bible is "tachash," which has been the subject of much debate among scholars regarding its precise meaning and the animal it refers to.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus 25:5 : "ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood." In this passage, the term "fine leather" is often translated as "badger skins" in other versions. This material was used as a covering for the Tabernacle, indicating its importance and value.
2.
Exodus 26:14 : "Also make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather." Here, the "fine leather" or "badger skins" served as an outer protective layer for the Tabernacle, suggesting its durability and weather-resistant properties.
3.
Ezekiel 16:10 : "I clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of fine leather on your feet. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk." The reference to "fine leather" in this passage is often interpreted as "badger skins," highlighting its use in making sandals, which were part of the attire symbolizing God's provision and care for His people.
Interpretation and Significance:The use of "badger skins" or "fine leather" in the construction of the Tabernacle and in the clothing of the Israelites underscores the significance of using high-quality and durable materials in worship and daily life. The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people, and the materials used in its construction were chosen to reflect His holiness and the reverence due to Him.
The debate over the exact identity of the "tachash" animal has led to various interpretations, including suggestions that it could be a marine animal like a dolphin or porpoise, or a land animal such as a badger or antelope. Regardless of the specific animal, the emphasis remains on the quality and suitability of the material for its intended sacred purposes.
In a broader theological context, the use of such materials can be seen as a reflection of God's provision and the beauty of His creation, which is utilized in the service of His divine plan. The coverings of the Tabernacle, made from these materials, symbolize protection, sanctity, and the separation of the holy from the profane.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the use of animal skins for various purposes was common, and the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, would have had access to a variety of animals. The choice of "badger skins" or "fine leather" for the Tabernacle's covering indicates a practical approach to utilizing available resources while maintaining a focus on the sacredness of the space.
The mention of "badger skins" in the context of sandals in
Ezekiel 16:10 also highlights the practical aspects of daily life in ancient Israel, where durable footwear was essential for travel and survival in harsh environments.
Overall, the references to "badger skins" in the Bible serve as a reminder of the importance of using the best of what God provides for His worship and the well-being of His people.
Library
The Power of Little Things.
... of them: gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine
linen, and goats' hair, and rams' skins dyed red, andbadgers' skins, and...
Scriptural Types.
... from the union of eleven curtains of goats' hair; and above two other coverings,
the one of rams' skins dyed red, and the other, or outermost, ofbadgers' skins...
The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
... I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee withbadgers' skin, and I
girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk....
An Old Subscription List
... rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold.' And then it goes on to 'blue, and purple,
and scarlet, and fine linen, and red skins of rams, andbadgers' skins, and...
A Chime of Gospel Bells.
... erected in the desert. It was covered on the outside withbadgers'
skins"and there was not much beauty in them. If you were to...
Vile Ingratitude!
... "I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee withbadgers' skin." Our
shoes have been as iron and brass, and as our day, so has our strength been....
Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... of lambs' skins" does not appear; on the contrary, it was made of "linen." The outer
veil, indeed (not the outmost, which was of "badgers' skins," according to...
Thesaurus
Badgers (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Badgers (16 Occurrences). Exodus 25:5 And rams' skins
dyed red, and
badgers' skins, and shittim wood, (KJV DBY WBS YLT).
...Rock-badgers (2 Occurrences)
Rock-badgers. Rock-badger, Rock-badgers. Rocked . Multi-Version
Concordance Rock-badgers (2 Occurrences). Psalms 104...
Badger (9 Occurrences)
... The tabernacle was covered withbadgers' skins; the shoes of women were also made
of them (Ezek.... 3. (n.) A brush made ofbadgers' hair, used by artists....
Skins (27 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:6 And shall put thereon the covering ofbadgers' skins, and shall spread
over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof....
Insert (4 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:6 And shall put thereon the covering ofbadgers' skins, and shall spread
over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof....
Skin (115 Occurrences)
... (Genesis 3:21). Skins of rams andbadgers were used as a covering for the tabernacle
(Exodus 25:5; Numbers 4:8-14). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Staffs (47 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:6 And shall put on it the covering ofbadgers' skins, and shall spread
over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staffs of it. (WBS)....
Staves (50 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:6 And shall put thereon the covering ofbadgers' skins, and shall spread
over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof....
Pole (21 Occurrences)
... Pole (21 Occurrences). Numbers 4:10 and they shall put it and all the utensils thereof
within a covering ofbadgers' skin, and shall put it upon a pole. (DBY)....
Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences). Exodus 25:5 and rams'
skins dyed red, andbadgers' skins; and acacia-wood; (DBY JPS)....
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