King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The length of one curtain [shall be] eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Each one is to be forty-two feet long and six feet wide; all the sheets are to be the same size.
Berean Standard Bible:
Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size.
American Standard Version:
The length of each curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The length{H753} of one{H259} curtain{H3407} shall be eight{H8083} and twenty{H6242} cubits{H520}, and the breadth{H7341} of one{H259} curtain{H3407} four{H702} cubits{H520}: and every one of the curtains{H3407} shall have one{H259} measure{H4060}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 4:25
- And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that [is] above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
1 Chronicles 17:1
- ¶ Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.
2 Samuel 7:2
- That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
Exodus 26:7
- ¶ And thou shalt make curtains [of] goats' [hair] to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
Exodus 26:8
- The length of one curtain [shall be] thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains [shall be all] of one measure.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 26:2
1. **Themes**:
- **Divine Detail**: The verse reflects God's meticulous instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing precision and order in worship.
- **Holiness and Separation**: The specific measurements for the curtains signify the separation of the sacred space where God would dwell among the Israelites.
- **Unity and Integrity**: Each curtain having "one measure" suggests unity and wholeness in the structure of the Tabernacle, symbolizing the cohesiveness of the community of believers.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **Post-Exodus Period**: Exodus 26:2 comes after the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as they are wandering in the wilderness.
- **Tabernacle Construction**: God commands Moses to build a portable sanctuary, the Tabernacle, which would serve as a place of worship and the locus of God's presence with the people.
- **Cubit as a Measurement**: The cubit was an ancient unit of length based on the forearm length, from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. In this context, it was likely about 18 inches (45 cm), indicating that each curtain was roughly 42 feet long and 6 feet wide.
- **Priestly Role**: The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction were part of establishing the priesthood and worship practices that would define Israelite religious life.
The verse is part of the larger narrative of Exodus, which details the formation of Israel as a nation under God's covenant, with the Tabernacle being central to their religious identity and practices.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H753
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹרֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼôrek
Pronunciation: o'rek'
Description: from אָרַךְ; length; [phrase] forever, length, long. - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H3407
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְרִיעָה
Transliteration: yᵉrîyʻâh
Pronunciation: yer-ee-aw'
Description: from יָרַע; a hanging (as tremulous); curtain. - Strong's Number: H8083
There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמֹנֶה
Transliteration: shᵉmôneh
Pronunciation: shem-o-neh'
Description: or שְׁמוֹנֶה; feminine שְׁמֹנָה; or שְׁמוֹנָה; apparently from שָׁמֵן through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth; eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. - Strong's Number: H6242
There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
Transliteration: ʻesrîym
Pronunciation: es-reem'
Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). - Strong's Number: H520
There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַמָּה
Transliteration: ʼammâh
Pronunciation: am-maw'
Description: prolonged from אֵם; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance); cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for מֵאָה), measure, post. - Strong's Number: H7341
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹחַב
Transliteration: rôchab
Pronunciation: ro'-khab
Description: from רָחַב; width (literally or figuratively); breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. - Strong's Number: H702
There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבַּע
Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
Pronunciation: ar-bah'
Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four. - Strong's Number: H4060
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִדָּה
Transliteration: middâh
Pronunciation: mid-daw'
Description: feminine of מַד; properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard); hence a portion (as measured) or a vestment; specifically, tribute (as measured); garment, measure(-ing, meteyard, piece, size, (great) stature, tribute, wide.