Exodus 26:36 — Word Study
WLCוְעָשִׂ֤יתָ מָסָךְ֙ לְפֶ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֑ר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֹקֵֽם׃
BSAFor the entrancepethach [doorway, gate] to the tentʼôhel [tabernacle, dwelling place] you are to makeʻâsâh [create, construct] a curtainmâçâk [hanging, screen] embroideredrâqam [wrought with needlework, intricately designed] with bluetᵉkêleth [violet, purple dye] purpleʼargâmân [royal color, rich dye] and scarlet yarntôwlâʻ [crimson, deep red] and finely spunshâzar [twined, twisted] linenshêsh [fine white fabric, luxurious cloth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ | and you will make | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| מָסָךְ֙ | a screen | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְפֶ֣תַח | for [the] entrance of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הָאֹ֔הֶל | the tent | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| תְּכֵ֧לֶת | violet stuff | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן | and purple | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְתוֹלַ֥עַת | and scarlet stuff of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| שָׁנִ֖י | scarlet | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְשֵׁ֣שׁ | and fine linen | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| מָשְׁזָ֑ר | twisted | Verb, Hophal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה | [the] work of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| רֹקֵֽם׃ | a worker in colors | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. |
| KJV | And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. |
| ASV | And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. |
| YLT | 'And thou hast made a covering for the opening of the tent, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of an embroiderer; |
| WEB | “You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. |
| BBE | And you are to make a curtain for the doorway of the Tent, of the best linen with needlework of blue and purple and red. |
Where they part company is מָסָךְ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure includes a main clause followed by descriptive phrases that elaborate on the curtain's materials and design.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָשָׂה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 26:36
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 — Instructions for the Tabernaclegenerated
Exodus 26:36 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, specifically focusing on the entrance curtain. This curtain is to be made with rich colors and fine materials, highlighting the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in the sacred space. These instructions reflect the broader theme of God's desire for a dwelling place among His people, as seen throughout the book of Exodus.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 36:37 | For the entrance to the tent, he made a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, |
| 2 | Exodus 40:28 | Then he put up the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. |
| 3 | John 10:9 | I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. |
| 4 | John 14:6 | Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. |
| 5 | Exodus 35:11 | the tabernacle with its tent and covering, its clasps and frames, its crossbars, posts, and bases; |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מָסָךְ, ma.soKhgenerated
The word מָסָךְ (masakh) means a covering or screen, often associated with the tabernacle. It is derived from a root meaning to cover, and encompasses terms like curtain and hanging. This term emphasizes the function of the curtain as a protective layer, serving both practical and symbolic purposes in the tabernacle.
The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun, suggesting it refers specifically to a single screen or curtain. Its use in this context underscores the importance of separation and sanctity in the tabernacle's design.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ (ve'a.sita), meaning 'and you will make,' governs the sentence, indicating an imperative command. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating purpose, followed by a noun phrase that details what is to be made.
The sentence's flow emphasizes the action of making the curtain for the entrance, with the rich details of materials and colors serving as descriptive elements that enhance the command.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מָסָךְ as ἐπίσπαστρον, which means 'screen' or 'covering.' This choice reflects a focus on the functional aspect of the curtain as a barrier or separator, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizing its protective role.
The Greek term captures the essence of the curtain's purpose in the tabernacle, indicating both its physical and symbolic significance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 26:36 gives instructions for making a curtain for the entrance of the tent. This curtain is to be made with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, as well as fine linen. The detailed description highlights the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in the construction of the tabernacle.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The curtain is to be made with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, emphasizing the richness and beauty of the design.
The curtain serves as a barrier, symbolizing the separation between the holy space of the tabernacle and the outside world.
The curtain is made from finely spun linen, which indicates a high-quality and luxurious fabric.
The detailed description underscores the importance of the tabernacle as a sacred space, where beauty and craftsmanship reflect God's holiness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does the description of the curtain reflect the overall theme of the tabernacle?
- What can we learn about God's desire for beauty in our worship spaces?
- In what ways can we apply the principles of craftsmanship and care in our own lives?
- How does the separation symbolized by the curtain inform our understanding of holiness?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 26:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent,.... At the east end of the tabernacle, which lay open and exposed, and for which as yet there was no provision; the west end of it, where
Read John Gill on Exodus 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. An hanging for the door of the tent.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFor the door of the tent, i.e. of the holy place, where it was divided from the court of the people.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsExodus 26:36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.Ver. 36. A hanging for the door.] This shadowed him that said of himself, "I am the door." The ceremonial law was the Jews’ gospel, for it was Christ in figure; and to him it led them.
Read John Trapp on Exodus 26 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXXVI. THE .(1-37) The sacred tent which was to form the “House of God,” or temple, for Israel during the continuance of the people in the wilderness, and which in point of fact served them for a national sanctuary until the construction of the first temple by Solomon, is described in this chapter with a minuteness which leaves little to be desired. It is called ham-mishkân, “the dwelling,” and ha-’ohel, “the tent” (Exodus 26:36)—the former from its purpose, as being the place where God “dwelt” in a peculiar manner (Exodus 25:22); the latter from its shape and general construction, which resembled those of other tents of the period. The necessary foundation was a framework of wood. This…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 26 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 36. A hanging for the door of the tent] This may be called the first veil, as it occupied the door or entrance to the tabernacle; the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies is called the second veil, Hebrews 9:3. These two veils and the inner covering of the tabernacle were all of the same materials, and of the same workmanship. See Exodus 27:16. 1. FOR the meaning and design of the tabernacle See Clarke on Exodus 25:40: and while the reader is struck with the curious and costly nature of this building, as described by Moses, let him consider how pure and holy that Church should be of which it was a very expressive type; and what manner of person he should be in…
Read AdamClarke on Exodus 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesExodus 36-7 (Exodus 26:36-37). The screen, to cover the entrance to the Dwelling. This was of the same materials as the veil (v. 31), but, as it was further from the shrine, of less elaborate workmanship, the ‘work of the variegator,’ or ‘embroiderer’ (not of the ‘designer’ or pattern-weaver see on v. 1), and without cherubim.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 26 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible36, 37. Hanging for the door — A pendent curtain, or covering, of the same material as the vail (31) and the tabernacle-cloth, (Exodus 26:1,) but wrought with needlework.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 26 →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
For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen.
“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen.
“You are to make a hanging for the entrance of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer.
Tyndale line
And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
And thou shalt make a hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needle work.
Also thou shalt make an hanging for the dore of ye Tabernacle of blew silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen wrought with needle.
Strictly literal
And thou shalt make for the entrance of the tent a curtain of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus, of embroidery.
'And thou hast made a covering for the opening of the tent, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of an embroiderer;
And you have made a covering for the opening of the tent of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, the work of an embroiderer;
And thou shalt make a hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet yarn, and twisted linen; the work of the embroiderer.
You must make a hanging for the tent entrance. You must make it out of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer.
From the Latin
Thou shalt make also a hanging in the entrance of the tabernacle of violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine twisted linen with embroidered work.
Simplified
Make a screen for the entrance to the tent using blue, purple, and crimson thread, and finely-spun linen. Have it embroidered.
And you are to make a curtain for the doorway of the Tent, of the best linen with needlework of blue and purple and red.
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration, with some words supplied by an editor, but the essential content matches the Masoretic Text.
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ מָסָךְ֙ לְפֶ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל תְּכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֑ר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֹקֵֽם׃
10 of the 12 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.
ועשׂית מסך לפתח האהל תכלת וארגמן ותולעת שׁני ושׁשׁ משׁזר מעשׂה רקם
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
ועשית מסך [לפתח] [האהל] [תכלת] [וארגמן] [ותולעת] [שני] [ושש] משזר מעשה רקם
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 7 supplied entire by an editor.
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.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 26:36
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.
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqq2ms
מָסָךְ (masakh) refers to a covering or screen, often associated with the tabernacle. It is derived from the root meaning to cover, and encompasses terms like curtain and hanging. The entries consistently highlight its function as a veil or protective layer.
מָסָךְ n.[m.] covering, screen
base
H4539 מָסָךְ covering, screen
4539 macak maw-sawk'
from 5526; a cover, i.e. veil:--covering, curtain, hanging.
see HEBREW for 05526
מָסָךְ (ma.sakh) — covering.
1) covering, rag, screen
1a) covering
1b) screen (of the tabernacle)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
פֶּ֫תַח (pethach) refers to an opening, such as a doorway or entrance. It is derived from a root meaning to open and encompasses terms like gate and entrance way. The entries consistently highlight its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
פֶּ֫תַח 164 n.m. opening, doorway, entrance
base
H6607 פֶּ֫תַח opening, doorway, entrance
6607 pethach peh'-thakh
from 6605; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or
entrance way:--door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate,
opening, place.
see HEBREW for 06605
פֶּ֫תַח (pe.tach) — entrance.
opening, doorway, entrance
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
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.
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…
The Hebrew word אֹ֫הֶל (*ohel*) means 'tent' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be conspicuous.' It encompasses various meanings, including a nomad's tent, a dwelling or home, and specifically refers to the sacred tent used for worship, known as the tabernacle. The entries consistently highlight its association with transience and habitation.
אֹ֫הֶל 343 n.m. tent
tent of nomad
dwelling, habitation
the sacred tent used in worship of God
base
H168 אֹ֫הֶל tent
168 'ohel o'-hel
from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a
distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 0166
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent.
: tent
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent: home.
: home
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
tent ('ohel; skene; 'ohel is a derivative of 'ahal, "to be clear," "to shine"; hence, 'ohel, "to be conspicuous from a distance"): In the great stretches of uncultivated lands in the interior of Syria or Arabia, which probably have much the same aspect today as in Abraham's time, it is an easy matter to espy an encampment of roving Bedouin, "a nation .... that dwelleth without care .... that have neither gates nor bars" (Jer 49:31). The peaks of their black (compare So 1:5) goats' hair tents stand out in contrast against the lighter colors of the soil.
There seems to be little doubt about the antiquity of the Arab tent, and one can rightly believe that-the dwelling-places of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, and their descendants were made on the same pattern and of the same materials (
Tent
(1.) Heb. ‘ohel (Gen. 9:21, 27). This word is used also of a dwelling or habitation (1 Kings 8:66; Isa. 16:5; Jer. 4:20), and of the temple (Ezek. 41:1). When used of the tabernacle, as in 1 Kings 1:39, it denotes the covering of goat’s hair which was placed over the mishcan.
(2.) Heb. mishcan (Cant. 1:8), used also of a dwelling (Job 18:21; Ps. 87:2), the grave (
Among the leading characteristics of the nomad races, those two have always been numbered whose origin has been ascribed to Jabal the son of Lameth, (Genesis 4:20) viz., to be tent-dwellers and keepers of cattle. The same may be said of the forefathers of the Hebrew race; nor was it until the return into Canaan from Egypt that the Hebrews became inhabitants of cities. An Arab tent is called beit , "house;" its covering consists of stuff, about three quarters of a yard broad, made of black goat’s-hair, (Solomon 1:5) laid parallel with the tent’s length. This is sufficient to resist the heaviest rain. The tent-poles or columns are usually nine in number, placed in three groups; but many tents have only one pole, others two or three. The ropes which hold the tent in its place are fastened, not to the tent-cover itself, but to loops…
Dwelling in tents was very general in ancient times among Eastern nations, Ge 4:20; their way of life being pastoral, locomotion became necessary for pasturage, and dwellings adapted for such a life became indispensable, Isa 38:12. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt in tents, Ge 18:1 Heb 11:9; and on the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, throughout their peregrinations until they obtained the promised land, and to some extent afterwards, they adopted the same kind of habitation. See BOOTHS. Hence the expression. "Every man to his tents, O Israel," etc.,
תְּכֵ֫לֶת (tekhelet) refers to a violet color, specifically associated with violet thread and fabric. The term may also encompass a broader spectrum, including blue hues. It is linked to the cerulean mussel, which produces the dye used for this color. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to both violet and blue.
תְּכֵ֫לֶת 48 n.f. violet, i.e. violet thread and stuff
base
H8504 תְּכֵ֫לֶת violet, i.e. violet thread and stuff
8504 tkeleth tek-ay'-leth
probably for 7827; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color
(violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith:--blue.
see HEBREW for 07827
תְּכֵ֫לֶת (te.khe.let) — blue.
1) violet, violet stuff
1a) violet thread
1b) violet stuff or fabric
2) (TWOT) blue (covering spectrum from brilliant red through deep purple)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
stuf (keli; skeuos): "Material" for any purpose (Eze 12:3,4,7); or "supplies" in a more general sense (Ex 36:7, Hebrew mela'-khah; compare the King James Version, the English Revised Version 1Sa 10:22; 25:13; 30:24 (the American Standard Revised Version substitutes "baggage")); frequently, "household possessions" (Ge 31:37; 45:20; Ex 22:7; Jos 7:11; Ne 13:8; /RAPC Jdt 16:19; the King James Version Judith 15:11 (skeuasmata, the Revised Version (British and American) "furniture"); the King James Version
אַרְגָּמָן (argaman) refers to the color purple or the dyed material itself, specifically purple thread and cloth. The entries indicate that it encompasses shades of purple and red-purple, with a focus on its use in textiles.
אַרְגָּמָן n.[m.] purple, red-purple, i.e. purple thread & cloth
base
H713 אַרְגָּמָן purple
713 'argaman ar-gaw-mawn'
of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed
stuff):--purple.
אַרְגָּמָן (ar.ga.man) — purple.
purple, red-purple
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
pur'-p'-l ('argaman; Chaldaic 'argewan (2Ch 2:7); compare Arabic 'urjuwan, and Persian 'arghawan; porphura, porphureos Septuagint and New Testament)):
Purple dye was manufactured by the Phoenicians from a marine mollusk, Murex trunculus. The shell was broken in order to give access to a small gland which was removed and crushed. The crushed gland gives a milky fluid that becomes red or purple on exposure to the air. Piles of these broken shells still remain on the coast at Sidon and Tyre. The purple gland is found in various species of Murex and also of Purpura.
Purple cloth was used in the furnishings of the tabernacle (Ex 25:4, etc.) and of Solomon's temple (2Ch 2:14; 3:14); in the palanquin of Solomon (
The famous and costly Tyrian purple, the royal color of the ancients, is said to have been discovered by the Tyrian Hercules, whose dog having by chance eaten a shellfish called Purpura, and returning to his master with his lips tinged with a purple color, occasioned the discovery of this precious dye. Purple, however, is much more ancient than this, since we find it mentioned by Moses in several places. Two kinds of purple are mentioned in the Old Testament:
1. Argamon, rendered in our version "purple," denoting a reddish purple obtained from a species of muscle or shellfish found on the coasts of the Mediterranean.
2. Techieleth, rendered in the English Bible "blue." This was a bluish or cerulean purple, likewise obtained from another species of shellfish. The "scarlet" or "crimson," for the two words denote essentially the same color, was produced from the coccus in sect, coccus…
תּוֹלָע (towla') refers to a worm, specifically the crimson-grub from which scarlet dye is made. It can also denote scarlet stuff or crimson color derived from this worm. The feminine forms תּוֹלֵעָה (towle'ah) and תּוֹלַ֫עַת (tolai'ath) also mean worm. The entries indicate a connection between the worm and the dye used in textiles.
תּוֹלָע n.[m.] worm, scarlet stuff
base
תּוֹלֵעָה, תּוֹלַ֫עַת 40 n.f. worm
base
H8438a תּוֹלָע worm, scarlet stuff H8438b תּוֹלֵעָה, תּוֹלַ֫עַת worm
8438 towla` to-law'
and (feminine) towleoah {to-lay-aw'}; or towla ath
{to-lah'-ath}; or tolaiath {to-lah'-ath}; from 3216; a maggot
(as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of 8144) the
crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color
from it, and cloths dyed therewith:--crimson, scarlet, worm.
see HEBREW for 03216
see HEBREW for 08144
תּוֹלָע (to.la) — worm.
1) worm, scarlet stuff, crimson
1a) worm-the female 'coccus ilicis'
1b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet
1b1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the worm "coccus ilicis"
Also means: to.le.ah (תּוֹלֵעָה "worm" H8438B)
תּוֹלֵעָה (to.le.ah) — worm.
1) worm, maggot
1a) worm, grub
1b) the worm "coccus ilicis"
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
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.
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…
שָׁנִי (shaniy) refers to the color scarlet or crimson, derived from the insect coccus ilicis, which produces a dye. The entries indicate it can refer both to the insect itself and to the fabric dyed with its coloring matter.
שָׁנִי 42 n.[m.] scarlet (prop. coccus ilicis, which attaches itself to leaves and twigs of quercus coccifera; the dried body of female yields colouring matter)
base
H8144 שָׁנִי scarlet (prop. coccus ilicis, which attaches itself to leaves and twigs of quercus coccifera; the dried body of female yields colouring matter)
8144 shaniy shaw-nee'
of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its
color, also stuff dyed with it:--crimson, scarlet (thread).
שָׁנִי (sha.ni) — scarlet.
1) scarlet, crimson
1a) properly, the insect 'coccus ilicis', the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
skar'-let.
See COLORS; DYEING.
Scarlet
This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.
This colour was early known (Gen. 38:28). It was one of the colours of the ephod (Ex. 28:6), the girdle (8), and the breastplate (15) of the high priest. It is also mentioned in various other connections (Josh. 2:18; 2 Sam. 1:24; Lam. 4:5; Nahum 2:3). A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord (Matt. 27:28;
[COLORS]
A color much prized by the ancients, Ex 25:4 26:1,31,36. It is assigned as a merit of Saul, that he clothed the daughters of Israel in scarlet, 2Sa 1:24. So the diligent and virtuous woman is said to clothe her household in scarlet, Pr 31:21. The depth and strength of the color are alluded to in Isa 1:18; and it is used as a symbol of profligacy in Re 17:3,4. This color was obtained from the Coccus Ilicis of Linnaeus, a small insect found on the leaves of a species of oak, the Quercus Cocciferus, in Spain and the countries on the eastern part of the Mediterranean, which was used by the ancients for dyeing a beautiful…
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) refers to fine materials, primarily white linen or byssus, often associated with Egyptian textiles. It can also denote alabaster or similar stones like marble, indicating a range of meanings related to both fabric and stone. The entries suggest a connection to bleached or fine materials, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
שֵׁשׁ n.m. id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ]; material of pavement
base
שֵׁשׁ n.m. byssus, fine Egyptian linen
base
H8336a שֵׁשׁ id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ] H8336b שֵׁשׁ byssus, fine Egyptian linen
8336 shesh shaysh
or (for alliteration with 4897) shshiy {shesh-ee'}; for 7893;
bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble:--X
blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk.
see HEBREW for 04897
see HEBREW for 07893
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — alabaster.
alabaster, similar stone, marble, material of pavement
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — linen.
something bleached white, byssus, linen, fine linen
Conj | Adj — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or cloth made of flax.
1. History:
Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Ge 41:42; Isa 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Ex 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Pr 7:16; Eze 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in
Linen
(1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes “flax,” of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., “linen cloth”, Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11.
Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Josh. 2:6; Hos. 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2 Sam. 6:14), girdles (Jer. 13:1), ropes and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (
cloth made from flax. Several different Hebrew words are rendered linen, which may denote different fabrics of linen or different modes of manufacture. Egypt was the great centre of the linen trade. Some linen, made form the Egyptian byssus , a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold. Sir J.G. Wilkinson says of it, "The quality of the fine linen fully justifies all the praises of antiquity, and excites equal admiration at the present day, being to the touch comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to our finest cambric."
As is well known, is made of the fine fibers of flax, and was much used by the ancients. Four different words in Hebrew are translated in our Bible, "Linen," "fine linen," and "silk:" PISHTAH, Jud 15:14 Eze 44:17,18; BAD, worn by the priests, Ex 28:42 39:28, and by king David, etc., 2Sa 6:14; SHESH, worn by Joseph when governor of Egypt, Ge 41:42, and by the virtuous woman in Pr 31:22, (see SILK;) and BUTZ, of which the veil of the temple and David’s outer mantle were made,
שָׁזַר (shazar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to twist or be twisted, specifically in the Hoph. form. The entries indicate it primarily refers to the action of twisting, such as twisting a thread of straw.
[שָׁזַר] 21 vb. Hoph. be twisted
base
H7806 [שָׁזַר] Hoph. be twisted
7806 shazar shaw-zar'
a primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw):--twine.
שָׁזַר (sha.zar) — to twist.
1) to twist, be twisted
1a) (Hophal)
1a1) to be twisted
1a2) twisted (participle)
V-Hophal-Inf-c — Verb · Hophal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVHsmsa
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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.
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…
רָקַם (raqam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to variegate or mix colors, often associated with embroidery and skilled weaving. It can refer to a person who works with colors (variegator) or describe something that has been skillfully wrought. The entries emphasize its connection to fabric and artistry.
[רָקַם] vb. variegate
Qal as subst. variegator, worker (weaver) in colours
Pu. I was skillfully wrought
base
H7551 [רָקַם] variegate
7551 raqam raw-kam'
a primitive root; to variegate color, i.e. embroider; by
implication, to fabricate:--embroiderer, needlework,
curiously work.
רָקַם (ra.qam) — to weave.
1) to variegate, mix colours
1a) (Qal) variegator (worker in colours) (participle)
1b) (Pual) to be skilfully wrought or woven
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
The terms relative to color, occurring in the Bible, may be arranged in two classes, the first including those applied to the description of natural objects, the second those artificial mixtures which were employed in dyeing or painting. The purple and the blue were derived from a small shellfish found in the Mediterranean, and were very costly, and hence they were the royal colors. Red , both scarlet and crimson, was derived from an insect resembling the cochineal. The natural colors noticed in the Bible are white, black, red, yellow and green. The only fundamental color of which the Hebrews appear to have had a clear conception was red ; and even this is not very often noticed.