The what? Skins?

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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,685
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#21
The only problem with this is the Latin Vulgate does NOT say Tachus or anything even remotely close to this. The Latin Vulgate reads: "et pelles arietum rubricatas pelles ianthinas et ligna setthim" which translates as "And rams' skins dyed red, and the wood of shittim wood, the curtains of VIOLET COLORED SKINS."

Again, the Hebrew word translated in the King James Bible and many others as “badgers” is tag-ghash and it is found 14 times in the Old Testament. The King James Bible translates all 14 instances of this word as “BADGERS skins.” (See Exodus 25:5; 26:14; 35:7,23; 36:19; 39:34; Numbers 4:6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and Ezekiel 16:10 - “I…shod thee with BADGERS’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen”
There is no problem with anything I wrote.

The frequency of error is not evidence of fact.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#22
Thanks! That makes far more sense.

For those who choose not to read the linked article, evidence from archaeological studies suggests that the term in question refers to fancy beaded leather, rather than to a particular kind of animal. The word "badger" comes from the German word for badger, which is phonetically similar to the Hebrew term, and not from any particular zoological knowledge.
Especially when you consider that it is also the name of a son of Nahor’s concubine, Reumah (Genesis 22:24).
They didn't tend to name children after animals, it was usually some quality they possessed. So the indication would be that she was beautiful or fine, and possibly born with a pinkish coloration.

I kind of like the idea that some rabbis put forward that it was a giant 6 colored, one horned beast. Probably not the case, but imagine this beast with a six colored coat, one horn and large enough that it only required one skin.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
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#23
This has been a fascinating thread to read - many thanks to the OP for posting it.

I can't claim to know what the original language or translation was, but I just checked the Bibles I currently have at home:

* Two used the wording, "badger skins."

* One said "dolphin or porpoise skins."

* And the last one I checked said "manatee skins."

I had no idea this passage has been translated into such a different variety of animals, if it was in fact a reference to a specific animal.

No wonder there's so much confusion, depending on which Bible a person is studying.

Thanks for a most interesting discussion!
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#24
This has been a fascinating thread to read - many thanks to the OP for posting it.

I can't claim to know what the original language or translation was, but I just checked the Bibles I currently have at home:

* Two used the wording, "badger skins."

* One said "dolphin or porpoise skins."

* And the last one I checked said "manatee skins."

I had no idea this passage has been translated into such a different variety of animals, if it was in fact a reference to a specific animal.

No wonder there's so much confusion, depending on which Bible a person is studying.

Thanks for a most interesting discussion!
I don't pretend to know either.

I'm okay with the fact that there are things in this world, in the Bible, about God, that we just don't know.

I find it fascinating, you should read the article.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,685
13,373
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#25
I kind of like the idea that some rabbis put forward that it was a giant 6 colored, one horned beast. Probably not the case, but imagine this beast with a six colored coat, one horn and large enough that it only required one skin.
That puts a little perspective on the rabbis' interpretations generally! ;)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,629
3,533
113
#26
I don't pretend to know either.

I'm okay with the fact that there are things in this world, in the Bible, about God, that we just don't know.

I find it fascinating, you should read the article.
I'm not trying to derail this thread, but this is exactly why the Lord never intended us to have multiple words of authority. One book, one faith, one Savior, etc...the more versions come out, the more chaos and confusion. Believe the KJV or not, but you have to admit there is confusion with multiple so called Bibles.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,647
13,124
113
#27
"Thou shalt make a covering for the tent of ram's skins dyed RED, and a covering of BADGER'S skins".

Rams skins is not what's in question. The tent was made of lamb skins, it's the latter part of the verse that's in question.

The Latin Vulgate reads: "et pelles arietum rubricatas pelles ianthinas et ligna setthim" which translates as "And rams' skins dyed red, and the wood of shittim wood, the curtains of VIOLET COLORED SKINS."

What are the "violet colored skins?"
Oh! You're right, my mistake. Thanks
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,357
652
113
#28
25:1-9. The LORD described to Moses the materials to be assembled for building the tabernacle. The Israelites were to bring a voluntary offering… from each person whose heart prompted him to give. The metals to be used in the construction were gold, silver, and bronze. Gold was listed first probably because it is the most precious. After the three metals four materials are listed: three colors of yarn and also linen. Fine linentranslates šēš, from an Egyptian word. “Egypt excelled in the production of linen, especially twined linen, where every thread was twisted from many strands. The Hebrew slaves must have learned many Egyptian arts and crafts… during their stay in Egypt” (R. Alan Cole, Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 189). Next was goat hair, ram skins… and hides of sea cows. “The sea cow (dugong dugong) is a herbivorous mammal native to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, and to this day the bedouin make sandals from its skin” (Ronald F. Youngblood, Exodus, p. 114; see comments on Eze 16:10, where the word “leather” is the same as that for “sea cow” in Ex.).
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
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#29
I'm not trying to derail this thread, but this is exactly why the Lord never intended us to have multiple words of authority. One book, one faith, one Savior, etc...the more versions come out, the more chaos and confusion. Believe the KJV or not, but you have to admit there is confusion with multiple so called Bibles.
Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding, but even if there was only "one" Bible, you are assuming it would be the KJV -- the English KJV, correct?

But English is not even the original language that the Bible was written in.

Even if there was only one English-language Bible, there was would still be differences among interpretations and wordings because that one English Bible was still translated from other original languages.

No one language translates perfectly to another.

Every language and culture has differences that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to translate into other languages.

So even if there was only one English-language Bible among English-speaking people, there would still be differences between wordings when it was translated into Chinese, Spanish, German, etc.

I am also guessing that KJV English does not translate well into many of the world's languages, if nothing else, due to differences in syntax and sentence structure?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,685
13,373
113
#30
I'm not trying to derail this thread, but this is exactly why the Lord never intended us to have multiple words of authority. One book, one faith, one Savior, etc...the more versions come out, the more chaos and confusion. Believe the KJV or not, but you have to admit there is confusion with multiple so called Bibles.
That sounds like it's a valid argument, but in fact it isn't.

It speculates on God's intent with no scriptural support. It's a veiled argument for KJV-onlyism, but when used as such, it is self-contradictory since the KJV was not the first complete English translation. Finally, it assumes that whichever translation is used, that the translators got absolutely everything absolutely correct. I have yet to come across any translation with that particular attribute.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
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#31
I'm not trying to derail this thread, but this is exactly why the Lord never intended us to have multiple words of authority. One book, one faith, one Savior, etc...the more versions come out, the more chaos and confusion. Believe the KJV or not, but you have to admit there is confusion with multiple so called Bibles.
If the KJV was the only true translation, what happens to everyone else in the world who does not speak English?

Are they just out of luck, because, in reasoning of your post, the Bible was not meant to have different translations (but then why was it translated into English in the first place, and how was it decided that the English version was superior?), or should everyone else in the world (including "modern" English speakers) be forced to learn KJV English?

I know I certainly wouldn't have a prayer if I were expected to read the Bible in its original languages.

Loco, I apologize for derailing your thread, but these are honest questions. I have family members and friends who speak other languages and study the Bible in their mother tongues.

I am not trying to be argumentative at all, I'm just curious as to what those who think there is only one "true" translation believe should happen with those who don't speak English, or only speak English as an additional language.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,629
3,533
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#32
If the KJV was the only true translation, what happens to everyone else in the world who does not speak English?

Are they just out of luck, because, in reasoning of your post, the Bible was not meant to have different translations (but then why was it translated into English in the first place, and how was it decided that the English version was superior?), or should everyone else in the world (including "modern" English speakers) be forced to learn KJV English?

I know I certainly wouldn't have a prayer if I were expected to read the Bible in its original languages.

Loco, I apologize for derailing your thread, but these are honest questions. I have family members and friends who speak other languages and study the Bible in their mother tongues.

I am not trying to be argumentative at all, I'm just curious as to what those who think there is only one "true" translation believe should happen with those who don't speak English, or only speak English as an additional language.
God promised to preserve His word for all generations. He didn't promise to give a bible in every language. We are to take the gospel ot all the world.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
113
#33
I'm not trying to derail this thread, but this is exactly why the Lord never intended us to have multiple words of authority. One book, one faith, one Savior, etc...the more versions come out, the more chaos and confusion. Believe the KJV or not, but you have to admit there is confusion with multiple so called Bibles.
Post Script to my last post (#31).

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that God knew very well that there would be multiple versions of the Bible the minute He created all the languages of the world at the Tower of Babel.

No one Bible interpretation could be perfectly applied or translated every language.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
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#34
God promised to preserve His word for all generations. He didn't promise to give a bible in every language. We are to take the gospel ot all the world.
I am just wondering, how do you personally teach the Bible to people who don't speak your language?

What is your personal approach?

I agree that God did not promise a Bible in every language, but I am wondering what your alternative would be.

(I mean this earnestly, as I said, I have some family members for whom language is a barrier, so I am open to advice.)

How can you take the gospel into the world if you have no way of communicating with the people you are trying to witness to?
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#36
If the KJV was the only true translation, what happens to everyone else in the world who does not speak English?

Are they just out of luck, because, in reasoning of your post, the Bible was not meant to have different translations (but then why was it translated into English in the first place, and how was it decided that the English version was superior?), or should everyone else in the world (including "modern" English speakers) be forced to learn KJV English?

I know I certainly wouldn't have a prayer if I were expected to read the Bible in its original languages.

Loco, I apologize for derailing your thread, but these are honest questions. I have family members and friends who speak other languages and study the Bible in their mother tongues.

I am not trying to be argumentative at all, I'm just curious as to what those who think there is only one "true" translation believe should happen with those who don't speak English, or only speak English as an additional language.
You don't own me an apology.

I'm with you on the matter.
People all over the world speak many different languages and variations of those languages. If there was one God ordained English version it would be the King James butchery of the original language.

Anyway back to the subject at hand.
This is adiaphora, it doesn't matter what was actually used.
What matters is that there are things that we can discuss and postulate about scripture that keeps our minds on the wondrous Majesty of the Lord and his magnificent word.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,416
12,900
113
#37
The word here seems to be tachash, which is some kind of a mystery animal.
That is correct. While the KJV says "badger" the lexicons suggest porpoise, dolphin, dugong (a marine creature similar to a manatee). However since the tabernacle was being constructed far away from the oceans or any seas, it is unlikely that marine creatures were involved. And since badgers are omnivorous, they are not really clean animals. So this must remain a mystery.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#38
Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding, but even if there was only "one" Bible, you are assuming it would be the KJV -- the English KJV, correct?

But English is not even the original language that the Bible was written in.

Even if there was only one English-language Bible, there was would still be differences among interpretations and wordings because that one English Bible was still translated from other original languages.

No one language translates perfectly to another.

Every language and culture has differences that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to translate into other languages.

So even if there was only one English-language Bible among English-speaking people, there would still be differences between wordings when it was translated into Chinese, Spanish, German, etc.

I am also guessing that KJV English does not translate well into many of the world's languages, if nothing else, due to differences in syntax and sentence structure?
My personal advice would be to use a translation that more readily translates, but you are probably multilingual and don't need to rely on an English version.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#39
That is correct. While the KJV says "badger" the lexicons suggest porpoise, dolphin, dugong (a marine creature similar to a manatee). However since the tabernacle was being constructed far away from the oceans or any seas, it is unlikely that marine creatures were involved. And since badgers are omnivorous, they are not really clean animals. So this must remain a mystery.
If ya check out the article there are lots of ideas, and there are archeological findings that give pretty good clues, at least some interesting ideas.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
113
#40
My personal advice would be to use a translation that more readily translates, but you are probably multilingual and don't need to rely on an English version.
Alas, I am not, but several of my friends and family are.

I am very thankful that they have Bibles that can explain things to them in their own languages that I certainly never could.

Thank you for your kindness in allowing me to ask some questions in your thread. :)

God bless.