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 cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. ​
2
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.
3
The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and 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 uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
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 coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.
6
And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. ​

The Outer Covering of Goats' Hair

7
And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. ​
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.
9
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.
10
And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
11
And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12
And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
13
And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it 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 above of badgers' skins. ​

The Frame of Shittim Wood

15
And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. ​
16
Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.
17
Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18
And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
19
And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. ​
20
And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:
21
And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
22
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
23
And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
24
And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
25
And they 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 shittim 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 two sides westward.
28
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach 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 was shewed thee in the mount. ​

The Veil and Internal Arrangement

31
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: ​
32
And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
33
And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide 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 vail, 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 an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. ​
37
And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and 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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