A study from Exodus and Leviticus—moving from the inside outward.

Study task: Starting in order from inside to outside, identify each covering over the sanctuary and consider what each represented.

The video below gives a quick summary of the details presented in the rest of this article. For a full understanding, we recommend using both the video and article.

Interpretive note: Exodus explicitly gives the materials and order. Leviticus supplies related sacrificial and priestly imagery. The symbolic meanings below are therefore a careful Christian typological reading, not meanings that Exodus directly defines.

1. The Biblical Order

1 — Fine Twisted Linen Curtains with Cherubim

Material and position: Ten curtains of fine twisted linen, worked with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and cherubim, formed the innermost covering—the surface visible from within the sanctuary (Exodus 26:1–6; 36:8–13).

What it represented: The fine linen suggests holiness, purity, and priestly approach to God. On the Day of Atonement the high priest wore holy linen garments (Leviticus 16:4). Elsewhere, clean fine linen is associated with the righteous deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:7–8), while cherubim are linked with God’s holy throne and presence (Psalm 80:1; 99:1). The colours, cherubim, and skilled workmanship therefore point to the beauty and glory of God’s dwelling.

2 — Curtains of Goats’ Hair

Material and position: Eleven goats’ hair curtains were spread over the linen curtains as a tent covering (Exodus 26:7–13; 36:14–18).

What it represented: Goats are strongly associated with sin-bearing and atonement in Leviticus. Israel’s Day of Atonement required two male goats—one offered as a sin offering and one bearing the people’s confessed sins away (Leviticus 16:5, 7–10, 15–22). The wider biblical theme culminates in Christ bearing sins and removing guilt (Isaiah 53:6, 11–12; John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28). This layer may therefore picture sin dealt with through substitution and removal.

3 — Ram Skins Dyed Red

Material and position: A covering of ram skins dyed red lay above the goats’ hair tent (Exodus 26:14; 36:19).

What it represented: The ram is connected with consecration and sacrificial blood. At the priests’ ordination, the “ram of ordination” was killed and its blood applied to Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:22–24). Scripture teaches that forgiveness is bound to the shedding of blood and presents Christ’s blood as the basis of redemption and cleansing (Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 1:7). The red-dyed skins can thus illustrate sacrificial life given and consecration secured through blood.

4 — Durable Hides as the Outer Covering

Material and position: The outermost layer was made from teḥashim skins (Exodus 26:14; 36:19). English versions variously render the term as fine leather, durable leather, badger skins, sealskins, or sea-cow hides; the precise animal is uncertain.What it represented: Scripture does not assign this material an explicit symbolic meaning. Functionally, it was the exposed, weather-resistant covering. It may illustrate protection, endurance, and an outward appearance that concealed inner glory. Related themes include God as the shelter of his people (Psalm 91:1–4) and the Servant’s unimpressive outward appearance despite his profound significance (Isaiah 53:2–3). These comparisons are inferences, not direct interpretations of the covering.

2. Summary: Inside to Outside

Order	Covering	Primary verses	Study representation
1	Fine linen with cherubim	Exodus 26:1–6; 36:8–13	Holiness, purity, heavenly beauty, priestly access (compare Leviticus 16:4)
2	Goats’ hair	Exodus 26:7–13; 36:14–18	Sin borne, atoned for, and removed (compare Leviticus 16:5, 7–10, 15–22)
3	Ram skins dyed red	Exodus 26:14; 36:19	Sacrifice, blood, and consecration (compare Leviticus 8:22–24)
4	Durable outer hides	Exodus 26:14; 36:19	Protection and endurance; inferred from function, not explicitly interpreted

3. Key Observations

• The order is explicit: linen first, goats’ hair over it, ram skins dyed red next, and durable hides outside (Exodus 26:1–14).
• The completed construction follows the command: the same sequence appears in Exodus 36:8–19.
• Leviticus deepens the imagery: holy linen, the sin-bearing goat, and the ram of ordination connect the coverings with purity, atonement, and consecration (Leviticus 16:4–22; 8:22–24).
• Interpretation should remain disciplined: the materials are biblical facts; the proposed representations are typological associations and should not be presented as direct definitions where Scripture gives none.

4. Further Scriptural Connections

• God dwelling among his people: Exodus 25:8; 29:45–46; John 1:14; Revelation 21:3.
• The earthly sanctuary as a pattern and shadow: Exodus 25:40; Hebrews 8:1–5; 9:1–12, 23–24; 10:1.
• Holiness and access to God: Psalm 24:3–4; Hebrews 10:19–22; 1 Peter 1:15–16.
• Atonement and sin-bearing: Isaiah 53:4–6, 11–12; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.
• Sacrificial blood and redemption: Hebrews 9:11–14, 22; 10:10–14; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 5:9.
• Divine shelter and protection: Psalm 27:5; 61:4; 91:1–4.