The Skin Is The Tabernacle Covering

The skin is part of the integumentary system. As the largest organ in the body in weight, it has many purposes. Primarily, the skin functions to maintain the internal homeostasis (stability) of the body and protect it from the influences of the outside world (James G. & Jeffery J., 2019). In this way, the skin of the human body is the tent covering of the Tabernacle. 

The skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer, also referred to as the hypodermis layer. The epidermis is the outermost layer, the dermis is the middle layer, and the subcutaneous layer is the innermost layer. Like human skin, the Tabernacle covering also consisted of three layers. The outermost layer was made of fine goatskin leather, the second layer was made out of tanned ram skins, and the third layer consisted of 11 curtains of goat-hair cloth joined together to make one piece (Ex. 26:7-14). 

As the Tabernacle was the place of worship for the Israelite community, the tent covering provided the protection needed for worship. As it contained three parts, it represented the protective covering of the divine family: God the Father, Holy Spirit Mother, and Christ Jesus the Son. 

Goatskin Leather = Epidermis = God the Father 

The NLT and ESV translate the outermost layer of the tent covering as goatskin leather, however other translations render the Hebrew as being made from badgers’ skins (NKJV), manatee skins (HCSB), sheepskin (NCB), and dolphin or porpoise skins (AMP, AMPC). Regardless of the translation, this layer protected the inner layers of the covering as well as the entire Tabernacle, therefore it had to have been thick and durable to protect everything inside from the elements of the wilderness, as well as withstand the repeated setup and teardown of the Tabernacle as the Israelites traveled from place to place (Stuart, 2006). In this way, the outer layer of the tent covering functioned as the epidermis layer of human skin. 

The epidermis layer is water-repellant and protects the internal body from becoming infected by external pathogens in the external environment, making the skin a part of the immune system, too (Proksch et al., 2008). 

As the outermost layer of the covering, the epidermis represents the Father as the head of the divine family, the giver of Wisdom and the Son (Matt. 10:40). His protection of His people is seen throughout Scripture. His command allowed the Israelites to safely pass through the Red Sea (Ex. 15:19), and also kept David, the king after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Throughout the Psalms, He worshipped God as his protector and Shepherd (Ps. 23:1, 4: 27:5; 31:19-20; 32:6-7; 119:14; 121:4-5; 138:7). The Father is the ultimate Shepherd for His people, for under His covering they are safe (Ps. 95:6-7; Ezek. 34:31; Is. 43:13; 49:1-4; 2 Thess. 3:3).  

Tanned Ram Skins = Dermis = Holy Spirit Mother 

The inner layer of the Tabernacle covering was made of tanned ram skins (Ex. 26:14). As the inner layer, it was protected by the goatskin layer above it while also protecting the goat-hair curtains that lay beneath it. In this way, it represents the dermis layer of human skin. 

The main function of the dermis layer is to support the epidermis, as the dermis is essential to its survival (Tortora & Derrickson, 2017). It is biologically active, holding sensory receptors for touch, temperature, and pain. (James G. & Jeffery J., 2019). It also holds the sweat, oil, and apocrine glands, as well as lymphatic and blood vessels. It is connected to the epidermis by the basement membrane that provides tissue and cell support and functions as a complex signaling platform (Sekiguchi & Yamada, 2018). This layer also has collagen and elastic fibers that give it strength, extensibility (the ability to stretch), and elasticity (the ability to return to its original shape afterward; Tortora & Derrickson, 2017). 

These traits are parallel with the relationship of the Father and the Holy Spirit. In Scripture She is described as His Helper and the breath of His power. The unity the Holy Spirit has with the Father is seen through Her submission (Ezek. 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:16, 26; 15:26, Acts 2:1-4), reflected in the dermis’ position beneath the epidermis. He covers Her as they cover their children (Jesus, represented by the hypodermis layer, and the humans who worship) together. The strength and elasticity of the dermis layer are seen in spiritual birth. Children are born into the Kingdom of God by Her (John 3:3-8), yet She is never tired and there is always room for more (John 1:13; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:23). As part of the divine covering, She is also a protector. She keeps Her children safe and guides them along safe paths through teaching (Prov. 8:32-36; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27). 

Goat Hair Cloth = Hypodermis = Christ Jesus The Son 

The innermost layer of the tabernacle covering was made from goat hair (Ex. 26:7). This hair, likely from female goats, was collected and spun into wool (or yarn), which was then woven together into the eleven curtains (Barry, 2012, 2016) by the women of the community who were willing to worship by contributing their skills in this way (Ex. 35:26). This material was black and also weather-resistant, and is still used today in desert tent-making (Hannah, 1985). These eleven curtains were sown together to make one continuous piece (Ex. 26:11) that was long enough to completely cover the inner curtains of the rest of the Tabernacle (Ex. 26:1-6) and provide a protective screen for the inner sanctuary (Stuart, 2006). Its position and different material make it the hypodermis (subcutaneous) layer of human skin. 

The hypodermis layer technically is not skin, but lies below the dermis layer and attaches it to the bone and muscle beneath it. It mostly consists of loose connective tissue, which helps to hold organs in place, and adipose tissue (body fat). This tissue helps insulate the body from cold and cushions deep tissues from blunt trauma. It also functions as a reserve of source energy and plays a role in the hormone messaging of the endocrine system (James G. & Jeffery J., 2019). This layer also contains the blood vessels that supply the skin (Tortora & Derrickson, 2017). These characteristics point to the hypodermis layer as the representation of Jesus Christ in human skin and the innermost portion of the Tabernacle covering. 

Just as the two outer layers of the Tabernacle cover are made from different materials, Jesus differs from the Father and Mother in His material. He is Spirit and eternal deity, however, He came to earth as a human, born through the miraculous physical birth of a virgin (Luke 1:26-38). Just as the hypodermis connects the rest of the body to the dermis and epidermis, He connects believers to God the Father and Holy Spirit Mother (Eph. 2:18; John 10:9). Furthermore, the blood supplied by blood vessels of this tissue is representative of Him, as the epidermis level contains no blood supply ("epidermis | anatomy", 1999). The adipose tissue parallels His declaration as the bread of life (John 6:35). As the covering for believers, He serves as their protector and intercessor. He is the Guardian of their souls (1 Pet. 2:25), protecting them just as He did His disciples during His earthly ministry (John 17:12). No evil can touch them (John 10:27-30; 1 John 5:18). Furthermore, He continuously covers them in prayer (Luke 22:32; John 17:20-21; 1 John 2:1). 

In conclusion, the skin of the human body represents the tent covering of the Tabernacle. It served as a symbol of God and the covering the divine family gives their people for worship. 

REFERENCES 

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ex 26:7). Lexham Press. 

epidermis | anatomy. Encyclopedia Britannica. (1999). Retrieved 16 January 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/epidermis-anatomy.

Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 149). Victor Books.

James G., M., & Jeffery J., M. (2019). Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology (Sixth Edition) (6th ed., p. 2, 5, 10). Elsevier Masson. 

Proksch, E., Brandner, J., & Jensen, J. (2008). The Skin: An Indispensable Barrier. Semantic Scholar. Retrieved 16 January 2022, from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-skin%3A-an-indispensable-barrier-Proksch-Brandner/38de6c962a08d16a4aa4edf40659ed94cd1f7b6b. 

Sekiguchi, R., & Yamada, K. (2018). Basement Membranes In Development and Disease. US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 16 January 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6701859/.

Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, pp. 585–587,). Broadman & Holman Publishers. 

Tortora, G., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Tortora's Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (pp. 131-132). John Wiley & Sons.