Bible Dictionaries
Skin

Holman Bible Dictionary

The outer part of the human body and of the body of animals. 1. The mention of human skin is often in relation to disease (see Leviticus 13:1 ). Human skin is also mentioned in relationship to hairiness (Genesis 27:11-12 ,Genesis 27:11-12,27:16 ,Genesis 27:16,27:22-23 ); to sickness (Job 7:5; Lamentations 5:10 ); and to the color (Jeremiah 13:23 ). 2 . Genesis 3:21 is the first mention of animal skins in the Bible. Animal skins were used to make containers for various kinds of liquids: water, milk, wine ( Judges 4:19 NIV; Matthew 9:17 NIV). The most used hides probably came from the animals most in use: sheep, goats, oxen, and donkeys, although other animal's skins certainly were used when available. 3. The sacrifice of animals sometimes called for the destruction of the entire animal ( Leviticus 4:11-12 ). At other times the skins were the property of the priests for their use (Leviticus 7:8 ). 4 . The skin was also used in several proverbial sayings: “Skin for skin” (Job 2:4 ), “the skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20 ), and “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23 ). See Diseases; Leprosy; Vessels and Utensils .