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.

The Inner Curtains of Linen

1
"You are to make the tabernacle with ten sheets of finely woven linen and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. You are to make them with k'ruvim worked in, that have been crafted by a skilled artisan. ​
2
Each one is to be forty-two feet long and six feet wide; all the sheets are to be the same size.
3
Five sheets are to be joined one to another, and the other five sheets are to be joined one to another.
4
Make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set, and do the same on the edge of the outermost sheet in the second set.
5
Make fifty loops on the one sheet, and make fifty loops on the edge of the sheet in the second set; the loops are to be opposite one another.
6
Make fifty fasteners of gold, and couple the sheets to each other with the fasteners, so that the tabernacle forms a single unit. ​

The Outer Covering of Goats' Hair

7
"You are to make sheets of goat's hair to be used as a tent covering the tabernacle; make eleven sheets. ​
8
Each sheet is to be forty-five feet long and six feet wide -all eleven sheets are to be the same size.
9
Join five sheets together and six sheets together, and fold the sixth sheet double at the front of the tent.
10
Make fifty loops on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost sheet in the second set.
11
Make fifty fasteners of bronze, put the fasteners in the loops, and join the tent together, so that it forms a single unit.
12
As for the overhanging part that remains of the sheets forming the tent, the half-sheet remaining is to hang over the back of the tabernacle;
13
and the eighteen inches on the one side and the eighteen inches on the other side of that remaining in the length of the sheets forming the tent is to hang over the tabernacle to cover it on each side.
14
"You are to make a covering for the tent of tanned ram skins and an outer covering of fine leather. ​

The Frame of Shittim Wood

15
"Make the upright planks for the tabernacle out of acacia-wood. ​
16
Each plank is to be fifteen feet long and two-and-a-quarter feet wide.
17
There are to be two projections on each plank, and the planks are to be joined one to another. That is how you are to make all the planks for the tabernacle.
18
"Make the planks for the tabernacle as follows: twenty planks for the south side, facing southward.
19
Make forty silver sockets under the twenty planks, two sockets under one plank for its two projections and two sockets under another plank for its two projections. ​
20
"For the second side of the tabernacle, to the north, make twenty planks
21
and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under one plank and two under another.
22
"For the rear part of the tabernacle, toward the west, make six planks.
23
For the corners of the tabernacle in the rear, make two planks;
24
these are to be double from the bottom all the way to the top but joined at a single ring. Do the same with both of them; they are to form the two corners.
25
Thus there will be eight planks with their silver sockets, sixteen sockets, two sockets under one plank and two under another.
26
"Make crossbars of acacia-wood, five for the planks of the one side of the tabernacle,
27
five crossbars for the planks of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the planks at the side of the tabernacle at the rear toward the west.
28
The middle crossbar, halfway up the planks, is to extend from end to end. ​
29
Overlay the planks with gold, make gold rings for them through which the crossbars will pass, and overlay the crossbars with gold.
30
"You are to erect the tabernacle according to the design you have been shown on the mountain. ​

The Veil and Internal Arrangement

31
"You are to make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. Make it with k'ruvim worked in, that have been crafted by a skilled artisan. ​
32
Hang it with gold hooks on four acacia-wood posts overlaid with gold and standing in four silver sockets.
33
Hang the curtain below the fasteners. Then bring the ark for the testimony inside the curtain; the curtain will be the divider for you between the Holy Place and the Especially Holy Place. ​
34
You are to put the ark-cover on the ark for the testimony in the Especially Holy Place.
35
"You are to put the table outside the curtain and the menorah opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; put the table on the north side. ​

The Entrance Screen

36
"For the entrance to the tent, make a screen of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen; it should be in colors, the work of a weaver. ​
37
For the screen, make five posts of acacia-wood; overlay them with gold; and cast for them five sockets of bronze.

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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