King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Join five sheets together and six sheets together, and fold the sixth sheet double at the front of the tent.
Berean Standard Bible:
Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent.
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt couple{H2266} five{H2568} curtains{H3407} by themselves, and six{H8337} curtains{H3407} by themselves, and shalt double{H3717} the sixth{H8345} curtain{H3407} in the forefront{H4136}{H6440} of the tabernacle{H168}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 26:9
The verse Exodus 26:9 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The Tabernacle was a central element in Israel's worship and religious life, serving as a sanctuary where God would meet with His people and where sacred rituals were performed.
In this specific verse, the focus is on the arrangement of the curtains that formed the roof and walls of the Tabernacle structure. The curtains were made of fine linen and colored yarns, including blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim woven into them. These curtains were to be coupled together in two sets: one set of five curtains and another set of six curtains. The instruction to "double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle" suggests that this particular curtain was to be folded over to create a double layer at the entrance. This doubling likely served both a practical and symbolic purpose—providing extra protection and privacy at the entrance where the holy place began, and symbolizing the sanctity of the space beyond.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. The intricate details of the Tabernacle's construction reflect the importance of the sacred space in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The careful attention to the number and arrangement of the curtains also underscores the theme of order and holiness that permeates the priestly regulations found in the book of Exodus. The Tabernacle, and by extension the instructions in Exodus 26:9, embody the concept of God's dwelling among His people, a theme that is central to the theology of the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who is described as the true tabernacle of God.
*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: H2266
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָבַר
Transliteration: châbar
Pronunciation: khaw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate; charm(-er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league. - Strong's Number: H2568
There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
Transliteration: châmêsh
Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). - 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: H8337
There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. - Strong's Number: H3717
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּפַל
Transliteration: kâphal
Pronunciation: kaw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fold together; figuratively, to repeat; double. - Strong's Number: H8345
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁשִּׁי
Transliteration: shishshîy
Pronunciation: shish-shee'
Description: from שֵׁשׁ; sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional; sixth (part). - Strong's Number: H4136
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּל
Transliteration: mûwl
Pronunciation: mool
Description: or מוֹל; (Deuteronomy 1:1), or מוֹאל; (Nehemiah 12:38), or מֻל; (Numbers 22:5), from מוּל; properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite; (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.