Exodus 26:15

ยถ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood standing up.

And thou shalt make {H6213} boards {H7175} for the tabernacle {H4908} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086} standing up {H5975}.

"Make the upright planks for the tabernacle out of acacia-wood.

You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up.

Commentary

Exodus 26:15 provides a specific and foundational instruction within God's detailed blueprint for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that would accompany the Israelites through the wilderness. This verse focuses on the core structural elements: the wooden boards forming the walls of this sacred dwelling.

Context of Exodus 26:15

This verse is part of God's extensive instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the construction of the Tabernacle. Following the general command to build a sanctuary so that God might dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8), chapters 26 and 27 provide meticulous details for every component, from the coverings to the altars. Verse 15 specifically outlines the material and orientation for the upright boards that would form the sturdy framework of the Tabernacle's walls, crucial for defining the sacred space.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The exacting specifications for the Tabernacle's construction, including the type of wood and its upright positioning, highlight God's meticulous nature and the importance of order and precision in worship and service to Him.
  • Holiness and Separation: These boards formed the physical boundaries of the Tabernacle, demarcating the holy space where God's presence would reside from the common ground. This emphasizes the set-apart nature of God and the reverence due to His dwelling.
  • Durability for the Journey: The choice of material and the sturdy design ensured that the Tabernacle could withstand the rigors of the desert environment and the many relocations of the Israelite camp, symbolizing God's enduring and steadfast presence with His people throughout their journey.

Linguistic and Material Insights

The phrase "shittim wood" (Hebrew: ืฉืึดื˜ึผึดื™ื, shiแนญแนญรฎm) refers to acacia wood, which was readily available in the Sinai Peninsula. Acacia wood is renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and resistance to decay and insects, making it an ideal material for a structure intended to last and endure harsh conditions. The instruction that the boards be "standing up" clearly indicates their vertical orientation, forming the strong, upright walls of the Tabernacle's frame, essential for its stability and structural integrity.

Practical Application

While Exodus 26:15 details ancient architectural instructions, it offers timeless spiritual lessons. It underscores that God values a strong, stable foundation, not only for physical structures but also for spiritual lives. Just as the Tabernacle boards provided a solid framework for God's dwelling place among Israel, believers are called to build their lives on the firm foundation of God's truth. The care God took in designing His earthly dwelling also reminds us of the reverence and intentionality we should bring to our own worship and service. Moreover, in the New Testament, believers are described as temples of the Holy Spirit, underscoring an internal dwelling of God that requires spiritual integrity and steadfastness, much like the durable boards of the Tabernacle.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 36:20

    And he made boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood, standing up.

  • Exodus 36:33

    And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.

  • Exodus 26:22

    And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.

  • Exodus 26:29

    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.

  • Numbers 4:31

    And this [is] the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,

  • Numbers 4:32

    And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.

  • Ephesians 2:20

    And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
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