(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
"Make the planks for the tabernacle as follows: twenty planks for the south side, facing southward.
Construct twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle,
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward.
And thou shalt make{H6213} the boards{H7175} for the tabernacle{H4908}, twenty{H6242} boards{H7175} on the south{H5045} side{H6285} southward{H8486}.
1. Themes:
- **Divine Detail**: The verse reflects God's meticulous instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, emphasizing precision and order in worship.
- **Community and Unity**: Each board was part of a larger structure, symbolizing the collective faith and unity of the Israelite community.
- **God's Presence**: The Tabernacle was designed to be the dwelling place of God among His people, with every component contributing to creating a sacred space.
2. Historical Context:
- **Exodus Journey**: The Israelites were in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, and God commanded Moses to build a sanctuary for Him.
- **Mosaic Covenant**: The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle were part of the Mosaic Covenant, which included laws and guidelines for worship and community life.
- **Cultic Worship**: The Tabernacle was central to Israelite worship, serving as the place for sacrifices and other religious ceremonies before the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- **Symbolism of Numbers**: The number of boards (twenty on the south side) may have symbolic significance, with numbers often carrying meaning in ancient Hebrew culture.
Exodus 26:18 specifically describes the construction of the Tabernacle's framework, with an emphasis on the south side, indicating the orientation and structure of the sanctuary. This verse is part of a larger section detailing the construction of the Tabernacle, which was to be a portable dwelling for God's presence as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)