The answer is: Rams

Exo 25:5

When we explore Exodus 25:5, we come across significant details about the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, the earthly dwelling place of a divine presence among the Israelites. The mention of ram skins dyed red offers a glimpse into the ancient world’s practices surrounding sacrifice and offerings.

Rams, robust animals often associated with power and sacrifice, are emblematic in various scriptural narratives. By dyeing their skins red, perhaps artists were invoking the symbolism of blood—initially pointing to the sacrifices made for the atonement of sin. Interestingly, red has long been a color that evokes feelings of warmth, power, and sometimes even divine oversight.

Additionally, there’s a fun connection to the wider worldview: in many ancient cultures, sheep and goats played vital roles in sacrificial practices, connecting communities in acts of worship. This shared ritual underscores a universal understanding of life and death in religious traditions—not to mention the importance of acceptable offerings to garner favor with the divine.

In echoes of this theme, also ties to later teachings center around spiritual sacrifice. Indeed, other passages emphasize that it’s not the animal itself that brings one closer to the divine but the intention and faith behind the act. This theme of intentional offerings persists throughout biblical texts, emphasizing that it's about one's heart in devotion, transcending mere animal skin.