Exodus26

Exodus 26 details the precise divine instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, beginning with its inner and outer curtain coverings. It describes the specific materials, dimensions, and assembly of the fine linen and goats' hair curtains, along with their gold and brass fastenings. The chapter further outlines the wooden board framework, silver sockets, and gold-overlaid bars, concluding with the design of the inner vail separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and the outer door hanging.
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The Inner Curtains of Linen

1
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou make them. ​
2
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.
3
Five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and the other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
4
And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is outmost in the second coupling.
5
Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the second coupling; the loops shall be opposite one to another.
6
And thou shalt make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be one whole. ​

The Outer Covering of Goats' Hair

7
And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make them. ​
8
The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure.
9
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.
10
And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops upon the edge of the curtain which is outmost in the second coupling.
11
And thou shalt make fifty clasps of brass, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12
And the overhanging part that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13
And the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
14
And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sealskins above. ​

The Frame of Shittim Wood

15
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. ​
16
Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board.
17
Two tenons shall there be in each board, joined one to another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward.
19
And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons: ​
20
and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,
21
and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
22
And for the hinder part of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
23
And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the hinder part.
24
And they shall be double beneath, and in like manner they shall be entire unto the top thereof unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
25
And there shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
26
And thou shalt make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
27
and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the hinder part westward.
28
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass through from end to end. ​
29
And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.
30
And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which hath been showed thee in the mount. ​

The Veil and Internal Arrangement

31
And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shall it be made: ​
32
and thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, upon four sockets of silver.
33
And thou shalt hang up the veil under the clasps, and shalt bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall separate unto you between the holy place and the most holy. ​
34
And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
35
And thou shalt set the table without the veil, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. ​

The Entrance Screen

36
And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. ​
37
And thou shalt make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold: their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Study Notes for Exodus 26

Verse 1

These luxurious materials (linen, blue, purple, scarlet) and the embroidered cherubim emphasize the sanctity and divine presence within the dwelling place of God.

Verse 6

The coupling of the two sets of curtains with gold taches signifies the unity and completeness required for God’s dwelling place, ensuring the structure functions as 'one tabernacle.'

Verse 7

This layer was made of durable goats' hair, serving as the functional outer tent (Ohel) covering the costly inner linen structure (Mishkan) for weather protection.

Verse 14

These final layers, including the rams' skins dyed red and the durable *tahash* (often translated as sea mammal or badger skins), were crucial for protecting the sacred interior from the desert elements.

Verse 15

Shittim wood (acacia) was native to the Sinai region and highly resistant to decay, symbolizing the permanence and durability of the structure despite its portability.

Verse 19

The use of heavy silver sockets provided a costly and stable foundation for the wooden uprights, contrasting with the brass used for the outer court structures.

Verse 28

The middle bar running through the center of the boards from end to end provided crucial structural integrity, binding the entire wall system together as one unit.

Verse 30

This verse emphasizes the necessity of conforming precisely to the divine blueprint given to Moses, ensuring the earthly sanctuary reflects the heavenly pattern (cf. Hebrews 8:5).

Verse 31

The Veil (*Parokhet*) was a thick, embroidered curtain that physically separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, drastically limiting access to God's immediate presence.

Verse 33

The veil established the strict boundary of access; only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, highlighting the separation caused by sin.

Verse 35

This describes the placement of the Table of Showbread and the Lampstand (Menorah) in the Holy Place, providing light and symbolic sustenance for the priests' daily service.

Verse 36

This hanging served as the door into the Holy Place. Its colors matched the Veil, identifying it as the entrance to the sacred space, though it was not designed to be impenetrable.

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