Leather, often referred to as "skin" in biblical texts, holds a significant place in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and the broader Near Eastern context. The use of leather is mentioned in various passages of the Bible, highlighting its practical and symbolic importance.

Biblical References and Uses

The earliest mention of leather, or skin, is found in Genesis 3:21, where God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve after the Fall: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." This act signifies God's provision and care, even in the midst of human disobedience. The use of animal skins for clothing underscores the necessity of sacrifice and the covering of human vulnerability.

Leather was also used in the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites. In Exodus 25-27, detailed instructions are given for the materials to be used, including "ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather" (Exodus 25:5). These materials were integral to the Tabernacle's design, providing both protection and a symbol of the covenant between God and His people.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

In the ancient world, leather was a valuable commodity due to its durability and versatility. It was used for clothing, footwear, and various household items. The process of tanning and preparing leather was labor-intensive, making it a precious resource.

Symbolically, leather represents both mortality and divine provision. The use of animal skins as clothing after the Fall serves as a reminder of humanity's fallen state and the need for redemption. At the same time, it points to God's ongoing care and the promise of restoration.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the use of leather in the Bible can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as animal skins were used to cover Adam and Eve, Christ's sacrifice covers the sins of humanity, providing a means of reconciliation with God. Hebrews 9:22 states, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," highlighting the necessity of sacrifice for atonement.

In conclusion, leather, or skin, in the Bible is more than a mere material; it is imbued with deep spiritual significance. It serves as a testament to God's provision, the reality of human sin, and the hope of redemption through Christ. As such, it remains a powerful symbol within the biblical narrative, reflecting the intricate relationship between God and His creation.Genesis 3:21
To Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 1:6
And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
Nave's Topical Index

779. askos -- a leather bottle, wineskin
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: askos Phonetic Spelling: (as-kos')
Short Definition: a wine-skin Definition: a wine-skin, leather bottle. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/779.htm - 6k

1193. dermatinos -- made of skin, leathern
... Word Origin from derma Definition made of skin, leathern NASB Word Usage leather
(2). leathern, of a skin. From derma; made of hide -- leathern, of a skin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1193.htm - 6k

5785. or -- a skin
... hide, leather, skin. From uwr; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather --
hide, leather, skin. see HEBREW uwr. 5784, 5785. or. 5786 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5785.htm - 6k

8476. tachash -- perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin)
... 8475, 8476. tachash. 8477 . perhaps porpoise (a kind of leather or skin).
Transliteration: tachash Phonetic Spelling: (takh'-ash) Short Definition: porpoise ...
/hebrew/8476.htm - 6k

4997. nod -- a skin bottle, skin
... bottle. Or noywd {node}; also (feminine) no)dah {no-daw'}; from an unused root of
uncertain signification; a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids) -- bottle. ...
/hebrew/4997.htm - 6k

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... They were probably so called because they were designed to aid the wearer in ... These
were enclosed in a leather case and were fastened to the forehead and left ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... They shall be called the children of God', that is, they shall be accounted and ... If
he would put his stamp upon brass or leather, it would go as current as ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... before him dressed in his striped tunic and leather girdle, from ... a sack of wheat,
a kid, and a skin of wine ... his sickness came upon the king he called for the ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Gospel According to --You.
... This Bible I have here is bound in"I think it is called sealskin. I tried ...
this. The best binding for the Gospel is shoe-leather. The ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the gospel according toyou.htm

The People among whom we Labour (Continued).
... We have a large community called Chumars, "leather-people" as the word means,
though many of them have nothing to do with leather. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xxix the people among.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... found only in Rabbinical Bibles), and a briefer, called the less ... be prepared by a
Jew from the skin of a ... the contrary, is a Pentateuch roll on leather, now at ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

Faith
... The Spirit's working faith is called, The exceeding greatness of God's power.'
Ephesians 1:19 ... pass for current; if he would put his stamp upon leather, as well ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 faith.htm

A Savage Duel.
... The scourging was with bunches of leather strips with jagged pieces of bone and
lead fastened in the ends. ... The whole band of soldiers is called. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a savage duel.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... of, and which is the cause of all our other sins, is called our predominant ... most
of it is taken from the lower animals"wool from the sheep, leather from the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm

Psalm CL.
... For the timbrel is made of leather dried and strengthened ... all instruments of music,
although usage has now obtained that those are specially called organ which ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cl.htm

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