Exodus 26:26

KJV

And thou shalt make bars [of] shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} bars {H1280} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086}; five {H2568} for the boards {H7175} of the one {H259} side {H6763} of the tabernacle {H4908},

Complete Jewish Bible

"Make crossbars of acacia-wood, five for the planks of the one side of the tabernacle,

Berean Standard Bible

You are also to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle,

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 26:26 details the divine instruction for crafting the connecting bars of shittim wood, essential for the structural integrity and portability of the Tabernacle's framework. This verse, part of God's meticulous blueprint for His earthly dwelling, highlights the precision required in sacred construction and the vital role of seemingly minor components in ensuring the stability and unity of the entire sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 26:26 is situated within a highly detailed section of Exodus (chapters 25-31 and 35-40) dedicated to the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. Specifically, it follows the elaborate instructions for the Tabernacle's upright boards (Exodus 26:15-25), which these bars were designed to connect and secure. The preceding verses delineate the dimensions, materials, and sockets for these boards, emphasizing the modular yet robust nature of the sanctuary. The bars described in this verse were crucial for holding together the individual planks, ensuring the Tabernacle's stability and unity, and facilitating its assembly and disassembly during Israel's wilderness journeys. This meticulous divine blueprint underscores the sacredness and precision required for God's dwelling place, setting the stage for the revelation of God's presence among Israel, as promised in [Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, a pivotal moment in Israel's history following their liberation from Egyptian bondage. As a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness, the Israelites required a portable sanctuary that could be easily transported and reassembled. The Tabernacle served as the central point of worship and the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, reinforcing the covenant relationship established at Sinai. The choice of "shittim wood" (acacia wood) was highly practical, as this durable, decay-resistant timber was readily available in the desert regions they traversed. The meticulousness of the divine instructions for every component, down to the number and material of the bars, reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of sacred space, where divine presence demanded absolute purity, order, and adherence to prescribed forms. This was not merely an architectural plan but a theological statement, ensuring that the Israelites understood the holiness of God and the reverence due to His dwelling.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bars (Hebrew, _bĕrîaḥ'_):** This term refers to a crossbar, bolt, or fastening rod. In the context of the Tabernacle, these were not merely decorative elements but functional components designed to secure and strengthen the entire structure. There were five bars for each of the long sides (north and south) and five for the west side. The middle bar on each side was particularly significant, running through the very heart of the boards, symbolizing a deep, unifying connection, while the other four were external. Their purpose was to hold the forty-eight upright boards firmly together, creating a unified and stable wall system.
* **Shittim Wood (Hebrew, _šiṭṭîm'_):** This refers to acacia wood, specifically from the acacia tree, which was abundant in the Sinai wilderness and surrounding desert regions. Acacia wood is renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and resistance to decay and insect infestation, making it an ideal material for the Tabernacle's structural elements and sacred furnishings (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant in [Exodus 25:10](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - The Ark of the Covenant")). Its properties ensured the longevity and integrity of the portable sanctuary, even under harsh desert conditions. The use of this readily available yet robust material underscored God's provision for His people in the wilderness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt make bars [of] shittim wood":** This is a direct divine command to Moses, emphasizing that the construction of the Tabernacle was not based on human ingenuity but on God's precise revelation. The material, shittim wood, is specified for its inherent properties of strength and durability, vital for a structure intended to be portable and withstand the rigors of wilderness travel. The divine choice of material highlights God's foresight and practical provision for His people's journey.
* **"five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle":** This clause specifies the exact number of bars required for each of the Tabernacle's three walled sides (north, south, and west). The "five" bars were crucial for binding the individual upright boards together. According to later descriptions (e.g., [Exodus 36:31-33](/exodus/36-31 "Exodus 36:31-33 - Construction of the Tabernacle Bars")), one bar ran through the middle of the boards, acting as a central spine, while two bars were above it and two below, providing comprehensive reinforcement. This meticulous detail underscores the divine emphasis on structural integrity, unity, and the methodical assembly of God's dwelling place.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices, most notably **Divine Blueprint** and **Symbolism**. The entire Tabernacle narrative, including this verse, functions as a **Divine Blueprint**, a detailed architectural and functional plan directly revealed by God. This emphasizes God's meticulousness, His sovereignty over creation, and His desire for order in worship. The "bars" themselves carry significant **Symbolism**; they represent unity, cohesion, and stability. Just as these physical bars held the individual boards together to form a single, strong wall, they foreshadow the spiritual unity required within the community of faith. The "shittim wood" also serves as **Symbolism**, representing durability, divine provision, and the enduring nature of God's presence and covenant, even in challenging environments. The precise enumeration ("five") highlights the **Precision** and intentionality of God's design, where every detail served a specific purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 26:26, with its focus on the Tabernacle's connecting bars, speaks profoundly to the theological themes of divine order, the importance of unity, and God's desire for an ordered and stable dwelling place among His people. God's meticulous attention to every detail, from the material to the number and placement of the bars, reveals His character as a God of precision, who values both the individual components and their harmonious integration into a unified whole. This physical structure foreshadows the spiritual reality of God's dwelling among His people, first in Israel, and later in the church, where each member, like a board, is distinct yet vital, held together by divine bonds. The durability of the shittim wood also subtly points to the enduring nature of God's covenant and His faithful presence, even in the wilderness of life.

* [Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone, Church as a Holy Temple")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ, Many Members, One Body")
* [Hebrews 9:1-10](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-10 - Description of the Earthly Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous details of Exodus 26:26, though seemingly mundane, offer profound insights for contemporary believers. God's precise instructions for the Tabernacle's bars remind us that every detail in His divine plan matters, and that faithfulness in seemingly small matters is an act of reverence and obedience. Just as the bars were essential for the Tabernacle's structural integrity and unity, believers are called to contribute to the strength and cohesion of the spiritual temple—the church. Each of us, with our unique gifts and roles, is like a "board" in God's spiritual building, and we are called to be "bars" that connect, support, and unify the body of Christ. Our commitment to unity, our willingness to bear one another's burdens, and our faithful participation in the life of the church are vital for its stability and effectiveness in the world. This verse encourages us to consider how our individual lives and actions contribute to the collective strength and witness of God's people, recognizing that even the "hidden" work of connection and support is divinely valued.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's construction inform our understanding of His character?**
* **In what ways can we, like the bars of shittim wood, contribute to the structural integrity and unity of our local faith community?**
* **What "small" details in our spiritual lives might God be calling us to attend to with greater precision and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the bars in the Tabernacle's construction?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the bars, as described in [Exodus 26:26](/exodus/26-26 "Exodus 26:26 - The Bars of the Tabernacle"), was to provide structural integrity and unity to the Tabernacle's framework. They functioned as connecting rods, holding the upright boards firmly together to form the solid walls of the sanctuary. This design was crucial for the Tabernacle's portability, allowing it to be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported during the Israelites' wilderness journeys. The central bar, running through the middle of the boards, was particularly important for creating a continuous and strong wall.

**Why was shittim wood specifically chosen for the Tabernacle's components, including these bars?**

Answer: Shittim wood, or acacia wood, was chosen for the Tabernacle's components due to its exceptional practical and symbolic qualities. Practically, it was a hard, dense, and remarkably durable timber, highly resistant to decay and insect infestation, making it ideal for a structure that needed to withstand the harsh conditions of the desert. Furthermore, acacia trees were readily available in the Sinai wilderness, demonstrating God's provision for the materials needed for His dwelling place. Symbolically, the durability of shittim wood could represent the enduring nature of God's covenant and His faithful presence with His people, even in challenging environments. Its use in various sacred items, such as the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - Instructions for the Ark of the Covenant"), further underscored its sacred significance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Tabernacle, with its intricate design and purposeful components like the shittim wood bars, serves as a profound shadow pointing to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. The bars, which held the entire structure together, foreshadow Christ as the one who holds all things together by His powerful word ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Holds All Things Together")). Just as the Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His people, Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")), the true and ultimate Tabernacle where God's glory dwells in human form ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The durable shittim wood, chosen for its lasting quality, points to Christ's eternal nature and the permanence of the new covenant established through His sacrifice, a covenant that will never decay or be broken ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")). Moreover, through Christ, believers are now incorporated into a spiritual temple, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone, where we are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone, Church as a Holy Temple")). Thus, the unity and stability provided by the Tabernacle bars find their ultimate fulfillment in the unifying work of Christ, who brings together all believers into one body, making us a holy habitation for God.

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.