1. Numbers 4:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What was the purpose and significance of Aaron covering the ark of the testimony with “goatskin” and “a cloth all of blue”?

Numbers 4:6 (ESV)

6 Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.

A layer of goatskin was placed over all the sacred objects. Unique to the ark of the covenant is the cloth all of blue (or pure blue cloth) that envelops it. The ark could thereby be recognized by those who carry it.1