Exodus 26:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And a cubit {H520} on the one side {H2088}, and a cubit {H520} on the other side of that which remaineth {H5736} in the length {H753} of the curtains {H3407} of the tent {H168}, it shall hang {H5628} over the sides {H6654} of the tabernacle {H4908} on this side and on that side, to cover {H3680} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 26:13 meticulously outlines a crucial architectural detail for the Tabernacle's outermost covering, stipulating that the goat hair curtains must extend a cubit longer on each side than the inner structure, thereby ensuring a complete and protective overlap. This seemingly minor instruction profoundly underscores God's meticulous attention to detail in the design of His sacred dwelling, emphasizing His divine desire for perfect order, comprehensive coverage, and the inviolable sanctity of the space where He chose to meet with His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of Exodus transitions from the narrative of Israel's liberation and journey from Egypt to a detailed exposition of divine law and the construction of the Tabernacle. Beginning in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"), God provides Moses with elaborate blueprints for a portable sanctuary, emphasizing that it is to be a place where He will "dwell among them" ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build a Sanctuary")). [Exodus 26](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - Tabernacle Design") specifically focuses on the intricate design of the Tabernacle's framework, curtains, and coverings. Verse 13, therefore, is a highly specific instruction concerning the outermost layer of the Tabernacle's roof, the goat hair curtains mentioned earlier in [Exodus 26:7](/exodus/26-7 "Exodus 26:7 - The Goat Hair Curtains"). It details how these curtains were to extend beyond the inner linen curtains and the wooden framework, providing a vital layer of protection and complete enclosure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, recently freed from slavery in Egypt, were a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness. A portable sanctuary like the Tabernacle was essential for their transient existence, allowing God's presence to accompany them. The concept of a deity dwelling among their people was not unique to Israel, but the precise, divinely revealed nature of the Tabernacle's design set it apart from pagan temples. The "cubit" was a standard unit of measurement in the ancient Near East, typically representing the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm). The meticulous detail of the extra cubit on each side highlights the divine insistence on exactness, not merely for structural integrity but for symbolic perfection and the maintenance of holiness in a desert environment where protection from elements like sun, wind, and sand was crucial. This precision reflected God's character and His expectation of obedience from His people in all matters pertaining to His worship and presence.
* **Key Themes:** The instruction in [Exodus 26:13](/exodus/26-13 "Exodus 26:13 - The Overhanging Curtains") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Holiness and Separation**, emphasizing that God's dwelling place must be set apart and protected from the common. The complete covering ensures the sanctity and inviolability of the sacred space. Secondly, it highlights God's **Meticulousness and Order**, revealing a divine architect who leaves no detail to chance, demanding precise adherence to His blueprints for worship. This meticulousness reflects His perfect character and His expectation of human obedience. Finally, the comprehensive covering speaks to the theme of **Divine Provision and Protection**, illustrating God's desire to fully shield and secure His presence among His people, a theme echoed in His protective care for Israel throughout their wilderness journey and foreshadowing the ultimate covering provided in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cubit (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** This term (H520) refers to a standard ancient unit of linear measurement. Its repeated mention ("a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side") underscores the precise, symmetrical, and intentional nature of God's architectural instructions. It signifies that no detail was arbitrary; every measurement served a divine purpose, ensuring the Tabernacle's structural integrity and symbolic perfection.
* **Remaineth (Hebrew, _ʻădaph'_):** This term (H5736) signifies a "redundancy," "overplus," or "that which is left over beyond what is needed." In the context of the Tabernacle's design, this "remaining" portion is not an accidental excess but a divinely commanded, intentional overhang. It highlights God's thoroughness and His desire for comprehensive protection and containment for His holy dwelling, ensuring no part of the sacred space is exposed.
* **Cover (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** The verb "to cover" (H3680) is central to the verse's purpose. It means to conceal, to protect, or to clothe. In the context of the Tabernacle, this covering was both practical (protecting from the elements) and profoundly symbolic (enveloping the sacred space, signifying God's protective presence, and foreshadowing the concept of atonement, where sin is "covered"). The complete coverage ensured the sanctity and inviolability of the divine dwelling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side":** This phrase immediately establishes the precise dimensions of the overhang. The repetition of "on the one side" and "on the other side" emphasizes the symmetrical and deliberate nature of this architectural detail, ensuring balanced and complete coverage from both lateral directions.
* **"of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent":** This clarifies that the specified cubit measurement refers to an intentional excess in the length of the outermost curtains, specifically the goat hair covering, which was designed to be longer than the inner linen curtains and the Tabernacle's frame. This "remaining" length was not waste but a crucial component of the divine blueprint.
* **"it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side":** This describes the physical action and effect of the extended curtains. They were designed to drape down the sides of the Tabernacle, providing a protective overhang. The reiteration of "this side and on that side" reinforces the comprehensive, all-encompassing nature of this coverage.
* **"to cover it":** This final phrase states the explicit purpose of the entire instruction. The extra length was solely "to cover it"—to fully enclose, protect, and conceal the sacred structure. This covering was essential for maintaining the Tabernacle's sanctity, shielding it from the elements, and visually separating the holy space from the common wilderness environment.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 26:13, though an architectural instruction, employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological implications. **Precision** is evident in the exact measurements ("a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side"), highlighting God's meticulousness and His demand for exact obedience in matters of worship. This numerical exactitude imbues the text with a sense of divine authority and order. **Repetition** of phrases like "on the one side... on the other side" and "this side and on that side" serves to emphasize the thoroughness and completeness of the covering, ensuring no part of the Tabernacle was left exposed. This repetition reinforces the idea of comprehensive divine provision and protection. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where the physical act of covering the Tabernacle represents the spiritual concepts of divine protection, holiness, and the necessity of complete enclosure for God's sacred presence. The material covering foreshadows the spiritual covering and atonement that God provides for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 26:13, with its precise instruction for the Tabernacle's covering, powerfully illustrates God's character as a God of order, holiness, and comprehensive provision. The meticulous attention to detail, even down to an extra cubit of fabric, underscores that every aspect of His dwelling place was divinely ordained to ensure its sanctity and protection. This speaks to God's desire for His presence to be honored and safeguarded, reflecting a profound commitment to the integrity of His covenant relationship with Israel. The complete covering symbolizes God's all-encompassing care and the security found in His presence, ensuring that His holy dwelling was fully shielded from the outside world, just as He fully shields and protects those consecrated to Him. This divine precision in the Tabernacle's construction establishes a pattern for worship and obedience, emphasizing that God cares about the "small" details as much as the grand design.

* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Pattern of Heavenly Things")
* [Psalm 91:4](/psalm/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - Under His Wings")
* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly technical detail of an extra cubit of fabric in Exodus 26:13 holds profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of infinite detail, whose meticulous care extends to every aspect of His creation and His relationship with humanity. If He so precisely designed the physical covering for a temporary dwelling, how much more does He concern Himself with the intricate details of our lives, our spiritual growth, and our protection? This verse calls us to trust in God's thorough providence, knowing that His plans for us are complete and comprehensive, leaving nothing exposed or vulnerable that He does not intend to cover. It also challenges us to reflect on our own obedience: are we as meticulous in following God's commands as the Israelites were expected to be in constructing His dwelling? Just as the Tabernacle needed a complete physical covering to maintain its sanctity, we are called to seek spiritual covering and protection through Christ, allowing His righteousness to fully envelop us, and to live lives that are wholly consecrated and "covered" by His grace and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's design encourage your trust in His care for the specifics of your life?**
* **In what ways do you seek spiritual "covering" or protection in your daily walk with God, and how does this verse inform your understanding of it?**
* **What areas of your life might benefit from a renewed commitment to precise obedience to God's Word, recognizing that even small details matter to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was this specific detail of the extra cubit so important for the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The extra cubit on each side of the goat hair curtains was crucial for several reasons. Practically, it ensured a complete and protective covering for the Tabernacle, shielding the sacred space from the harsh desert elements like sun, wind, and sand. Symbolically, it underscored God's demand for thoroughness and perfection in all matters pertaining to His presence. This complete enclosure maintained the sanctity and separation of the holy dwelling, visually and functionally setting it apart. It also demonstrated God's meticulousness, indicating that no detail, however small, was overlooked in His divine blueprint.

**What does "cubit" mean in this context, and why is its mention significant?**

Answer: A "cubit" was a standard ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). Its specific mention in [Exodus 26:13](/exodus/26-13 "Exodus 26:13 - The Overhanging Curtains") is significant because it highlights the divine precision demanded in the Tabernacle's construction. This was not an approximate measurement but an exact, divinely ordained dimension, reinforcing the idea that God's instructions are to be followed with absolute faithfulness and attention to detail.

**Does this verse have any relevance for Christians today, given it describes an ancient structure?**

Answer: Absolutely. While describing an ancient structure, [Exodus 26:13](/exodus/26-13 "Exodus 26:13 - The Overhanging Curtains") conveys enduring theological principles. It reveals God's character as a God of order, precision, and holiness, who cares about every detail. For believers, this encourages trust in God's comprehensive providence and reminds us of the importance of obedience to His Word, even in seemingly minor aspects. Furthermore, the Tabernacle itself, with its coverings, foreshadows Christ and His perfect work of atonement, providing complete spiritual covering and access to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous detail of the Tabernacle's extra cubit of covering in Exodus 26:13 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His people, a physical manifestation of His desire for communion. Yet, its coverings, including the goat hair curtains, served to conceal and protect, signifying the necessary separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. Christ, however, is the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among us, the One in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He is the perfect "covering" for humanity's sin, not merely concealing but completely atoning. Just as the Tabernacle's covering ensured no part was exposed, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides a complete and perfect covering for our sins, making us fully acceptable before God ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). He is our great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, providing us with full access to God's presence, an access that the Tabernacle's coverings once restricted ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Our Great High Priest")). The physical protection and sanctity provided by the Tabernacle's covering are spiritually realized in Christ, who is our refuge, our shield, and our complete spiritual security, enabling us to become the very temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Exodus 26:2

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.