Definition: And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goatsâ [hair], and red skins of rams, and badgersâ skins, brought [them].
Explanation: Okay, letâs break down this verse from Exodus 35:23. It's a really important passage about the Israelites being chosen as a people and given specific tasks to help them become a nation. Hereâs what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is choosing a group of people â the Israelites â who are deemed âbeautifulâ or âdesirable.â He wants to give them something special, and he uses this description to tell them exactly what they need to do. Letâs unpack it piece by piece: âExodus 35:23â : This is the verse itself â a passage from the Book of Exodus in the Bible. âAnd every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goatsâ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgersâ skinsâŚâ This describes a specific collection of people. Let's look at each part: "Every man..." : This means God is looking for everyone in the group. "...with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet..." : These are colors â blue, purple, and red â that were considered beautiful or valuable to God. Think of them as markers of specialness. "...and goatsâ hair..." : This refers to the fur of goats. Goats were a significant part of the Israelite diet and were valued for their wool. It signifies a group that has a special connection to nature and livestock. "...and red skins of rams..." : Rams are sacred animals in Jewish tradition, often associated with Godâs covenant with Abraham. The "red skin" suggests they have a unique, identifiable mark â perhaps a characteristic or heritage. "...and badgersâ skins..." : This is the oddest part! Badgers were considered to be less desirable than goats and were often hunted as a food source. It highlights that God is looking for everyone to be distinct and special. So, what does this verse mean in a broader context? It's telling us that God is choosing a group of people based on their appearance â specifically, their color, markings, and the animals they possess. This is part of Godâs plan for establishing a nation and fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants. It speaks to: Divine Beauty & Worth: God values these specific characteristics as signs of His favor and chosenness. Identification & Belonging: The verse emphasizes that the Israelites are being marked and given a unique identity â part of a larger group with special significance. Important Note: The word "goat" is used in this context to mean a particular kind of hair, and it's important to understand that the Hebrew word for âgoatâ carries a significant symbolic weight within Jewish tradition. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this passage to a specific story or event in biblical history?