Exodus 25:4

4. Blue, and purple, and scarlet The exact colours, tints, or shades denoted by the Hebrew words thus translated it is now hardly possible to determine with absolute certainty . The same may be said of the names of colours in all the ancient languages . The use of these different colours in the tabernacle probably served not only for the sake of beauty and variety, but also to suggest thoughts of heavenly excellence and glory . The three colours here named have always and everywhere been regarded as appropriate for the persons and palaces of kings . Blue, as the colour of the heaven, reflected in the sea, would naturally suggest that which is heavenly, holy, and divine . Hence it was appropriate that the robe of the ephod was made wholly of blue, (Exodus 28:31; Exodus 39:22,) and the breastplate was connected with it by blue cords, Exodus 25:28. It was also by a blue cord or ribbon that the golden plate inscribed “Holiness to Jehovah” was attached to the high priest’s mitre, Exodus 25:31. The loops of the tabernacle curtains were of this colour, (Exodus 26:4,) and the children of Israel were commanded to place blue ribbons as badges upon the borders of their garments, (Numbers 15:37-41,) as if to remind them that they were children of the heavenly King, and were under the responsibility of having received from him commandments and revelations. Hence, too, it was appropriate that a blue cloth was spread over the holiest things of the tabernacle when they were arranged for journeying forward. Numbers 4:6-7; Numbers 4:11-12. Purple and scarlet, so often mentioned in connexion with the dress of kings, have very naturally been regarded as symbolical of royalty and majesty . Judges 8:26; Esther 8:15; Daniel 5:7; Nahum 2:3. Both these colours, along with blue, appeared upon the curtains of the tabernacle, (Exodus 26:1,) and upon the vail that separated the holy place from the most holy . Exodus 26:31. A scarlet cloth covered the holy vessels which were placed upon the table of showbread, and a purple cloth the altar of burnt offerings . Numbers 4:8; Numbers 4:13.

Fine linen Hebrews שׁשׁ , shesh, believed to be an Egyptian word, translated by βυσσος in the Septuagint, and applied to an Egyptian fabric made of fine flax, and having a peculiar whiteness . Joseph’s vesture, when made ruler in Egypt, was of this material . Genesis 41:42. It was used for the curtains and vails of the tabernacle, and for the garments of the priests . Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 26:36; Exodus 28:5-6; Exodus 28:8; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 28:39.

Goats’ hair A very solid fabric was woven of the hair of the goat, and was the most common material used for the covering of tents among the nomads of the East.