GOATSKINS (תַּ֫חַשׁ֒, H9391, ἄιγειον δεῤμα, skin of a goat). תַּ֫חַשׁ֒, H9391, usually occurs with עﯴר, H6425, or עﯴרﯴת, “skin(s),” to describe a covering for the Tabernacle (Exod 26:14), the Ark of the covenant, and several other articles in the Tabernacle (Num 4:6-14). Rendered “badgers’ skin” in the KJV, תַּ֫חַשׁ֒, H9391, remains of dubious origin, although apparently a kind of leather. Women’s shoes were made of תַּ֫חַשׁ֒, H9391, (Ezek 16:10 KJV).

Some connection with Arab. tuḫas, “dolphin,” has been suggested. This term could refer to the dugong, “sea cow” found in the waters of Egypt and Sinai. The time of the Exodus suits the locale well.

A single NT reference (Heb 11:37 RSV), lauds the great men of faith who, among other deprivations wore the skins of sheep and goats.

Bibliography J. P. Free, Archaeology and Bible History (1956), 106.