{"id":14007,"date":"2019-02-08T05:51:19","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T13:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=14007"},"modified":"2019-02-08T05:51:19","modified_gmt":"2019-02-08T13:51:19","slug":"the-blue-of-the-tabernacle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2019\/02\/08\/the-blue-of-the-tabernacle\/","title":{"rendered":"The Blue of the Tabernacle\u2014Connecting the Finite to the Infinite"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Exodus 26:1, Blue [tekelet] yarn.<\/i><\/b> <\/b>The blue used in the construction of the tabernacle was a special type of blue called tekelet<\/i> or tekhelet<\/i> blue color, which was the same color as the tzitzits or fringes that YHVH commanded the Israelites to wear on the fringes of their garments to remind them of their covenantal agreement with Elohim to obey his commands (Num 15:37\u201341).<\/p>\n

We see here another purpose of the tekelet blue tzitzits. It was to remind the Israelites of the tabernacle, which contained the seven steps of the YHVH plan of salvation for man and in all ways pointed to Yeshua, who was man\u2019s Redeemer and Savior.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the veil separating the holy place and holy of holies and the main door of the tabernacle itself contained tekelet blue (vv. 31, 36). Wearing the tekelet blue fringes also reminded them of their special relationship with Elohim, since they were wearing his colors, and through their spiritual relationship with him, through the Messiah, they would not only be permitted to wear the colors of YHVH\u2019s earthly abode, but could actually become his earthly abode as human temples of his Set-Apart Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16).<\/p>\n

The word tekelet<\/i> is used nearly 50 times in the Tanakh and almost always refers to the colors used in the tabernacle and later the temple, as well as to the special blue used in the priestly garments. It was also the royal blue of kings (1 Chron 2:7; Est 1:6; 8:15).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This blue, according to Jewish tradition came from a sea animal in the Mediterranean called the chillazon. The problem is that no one now knows the identity of this animal. To this day, some rabbinic experts think this blue derives from a marine mollusk, while others thing it was from a squid. Whatever the case, this special blue was highly prized by ancient royalty. It is therefore fitting that this should be the color of heaven and of the King of kings, and that his children should wear it as a badge of honor identifying themselves as the children of the Almighty King, YHVH Elohim.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although, tekelet is the only word for blue found in the Tanakh, in the modern Hebrew dictionary, which is based largely on ancient Hebrew, tekelet is a specific shade of blue\u2014azure, turquoise or even a purplish or violet blue. This is in contradistinction to kachol<\/i>, which is the more generic word for dark blue or b\u2019hiyl<\/i>, which is the word for light blue.<\/p>\n

Every place in the Scriptures were blue is used, it is this special shade of sky, turquoise or azure or tekelet blue. For example,<\/p>\n