In biblical times, hides, or animal skins, played a significant role in daily life and religious practices. The use of hides is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their importance in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Materials and Uses

Hides were primarily obtained from domesticated animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. These skins were processed to create leather, which was then used for a variety of purposes. Leather was a durable material, essential for making clothing, footwear, tents, and containers. The process of tanning, which involves treating the hides to make them more durable and less susceptible to decomposition, was well-known in ancient times.

Biblical References

1. Clothing and Coverings: In Genesis 3:21, after Adam and Eve sinned, "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." This passage indicates the use of animal skins for clothing, symbolizing God's provision and care even after the Fall.

2. Tents: The nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs and the Israelites in the wilderness necessitated the use of tents made from animal skins. In Exodus 26:14, instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle include, "Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather." This highlights the use of hides in sacred contexts, emphasizing their value and utility.

3. Containers and Scrolls: Hides were also used to create containers for liquids and to write on. In Matthew 9:17, Jesus uses the metaphor of wineskins: "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." This illustrates the practical use of hides in daily life and their symbolic application in teaching.

4. Sacrificial System: The sacrificial system in the Old Testament often involved the use of animal skins. In Leviticus 7:8, it is stated, "As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of the burnt offering he has presented belongs to him." This indicates that the hides of sacrificial animals were given to the priests, possibly as a form of sustenance or income.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Hides, as coverings, can symbolize protection and provision. The use of animal skins for clothing in Genesis 3:21 is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the ultimate covering provided by Christ's sacrifice. Just as God provided garments of skin for Adam and Eve, He provides spiritual covering and redemption through Jesus.

In the context of the Tabernacle, the use of hides in its construction signifies the blending of the natural and the divine. The Tabernacle was a place where God met with His people, and the use of earthly materials like hides underscores the connection between the Creator and His creation.

Overall, hides in the Bible serve as a reminder of God's provision, the practical aspects of ancient life, and the deeper spiritual truths conveyed through the material culture of the biblical world.1818. exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive
... the that brings the !". [As an form of 538 (), 1818 () means, " taken in --
biting the that hides the hook!"]. Word Origin from ek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1818.htm - 7k455. Elyachba -- "God hides," one of David's leaders
... 454b, 455. Elyachba. 456 . "God hides," one of David's leaders. Transliteration:
Elyachba Phonetic Spelling: (el-yakh-baw') Short Definition: Eliahba. ...
/hebrew/455.htm - 6k

5641. sathar -- to hide, conceal
... root Definition to hide, conceal NASB Word Usage absent (1), conceal (3), concealed
(4), cover (1), hid (11), hidden (16), hide (33), hides (4), hiding (3 ...
/hebrew/5641.htm - 6k

5956. alam -- to conceal
... root Definition to conceal NASB Word Usage blind (1), disregard* (1), escapes (1),
ever (1), hidden (10), hide (6), hides (1), melts (1), neglect (1), pay no ...
/hebrew/5956.htm - 6k

5785. or -- a skin
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a skin NASB Word Usage body (1),
hide (4), hides (1), leather (15), skin (65), skins (13). hide, leather, skin. ...
/hebrew/5785.htm - 6k

2244. chaba -- to withdraw, hide
... root Definition to withdraw, hide NASB Word Usage becomes hard (1), concealed (1),
hid (10), hidden (11), hide (5), hides (1), hiding (2), hushed (1), secretly ...
/hebrew/2244.htm - 6k

3582. kachad -- to hide
... completely destroy (1), conceal (4), concealed (2), cut off (2), denied (1), desolate
(1), destroyed (2), hid (1), hidden (4), hide (7), hides (1), perishing (1 ...
/hebrew/3582.htm - 6k

God Hides his People
... God Hides His People. To lay the soul that loves him low, Becomes the Only-wise:
To hide beneath a veil of woe,. The children of the skies. ...
/.../god hides his people.htm

Hidden and Revealed
... But after all it is obscure and hidden. 1. Nature hides while it reveals. Nature's
revelation is unobtrusive. ... 2. Providence hides while it reveals. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/hidden and revealed.htm

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
... its feet appear, and its whole body is exposed to view; but no sooner has it been
caught than it gathers itself into a ball, draws in its feet, hides its head ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi how the simple.htm

Temptations and Trials.
... keep His elect in a state of dependence on His grace, in a more complete abandonment
to His mercy, and in a state of greater humiliation, God hides from them ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/v temptations and trials.htm

The Eloi.
... The Lord, the Revealer, hides nothing that can be revealed, and will not warn away
the foot that treads in naked humility even upon the ground of that terrible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the eloi.htm

Instruction I
... thus practice self-examination; for man has many a little nook within, which covers
up the ground of the heart, and is so overgrown, that it hides the truth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/instruction i.htm

The Guiding Pillar
... present both the heart and core of light, which no eye can look upon, and the merciful
veil which, because it veils, unveils; because it hides, reveals; makes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the guiding pillar.htm

I Withdrew the Bolt of My Door for My Beloved; but He had Turned ...
... He hides, He flies, He is turned aside, and is gone; He leaves to His afflicted
Spouse nothing but the wound He had inflicted, the pain of her fault, and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 i withdrew the bolt.htm

The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... the feet of the sacrifices, and the inwards, in an accurate manner and so lay them
to the rest to be purged by the fire, while the priests receive the hides. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the manner of.htm

Whether an Accusation is Rendered Unjust by Calumny, Collusion or ...
... Reply to Objection 2: Not everyone who hides the truth about a crime is guilty of
collusion, but only he who deceitfully hides the matter about which he makes ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an accusation is rendered.htm

Hides (27 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hides (27 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Exodus 25:5 rams'
skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (WEB NIV). ...
/h/hides.htm - 13k

Tanned (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See RSV). ... (See RSV).
Exodus 35:7 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See RSV). ...
/t/tanned.htm - 8k

Rams (81 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Exodus 26:14 You shall ...
/r/rams.htm - 33k

Dyed (10 Occurrences)
... George B. Eager. Multi-Version Concordance Dyed (10 Occurrences). Exodus 25:5 rams'
skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV ...
/d/dyed.htm - 10k

Porpoise (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See NAS). ... (See NAS).
Exodus 35:7 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See NAS). ...
/p/porpoise.htm - 11k

Cows (33 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See NIV). ... (See NIV).
Exodus 35:7 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See NIV). ...
/c/cows.htm - 15k

Cow (32 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (WEB NIV). ... Exodus
35:7 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (WEB NIV). ...
/c/cow.htm - 18k

Skins (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red,
sea cow hides, acacia wood, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/skins.htm - 15k

Goatskins (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See RSV). ...
Exodus 35:7 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, (See RSV). ...
/g/goatskins.htm - 8k

Ram (96 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 26:14 You shall make a covering
for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above. ...
/r/ram.htm - 41k

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