Exodus 26:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And five {H2568} bars {H1280} for the boards {H7175} of the other {H8145} side {H6763} of the tabernacle {H4908}, and five {H2568} bars {H1280} for the boards {H7175} of the side {H6763} of the tabernacle {H4908}, for the two sides {H3411} westward {H3220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west.

American Standard Version

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 hinder part westward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 26:27 provides meticulous divine instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically detailing the arrangement of the five horizontal bars designed to secure the upright acacia wood boards forming the walls of God's portable sanctuary. This verse, alongside its immediate context, ensures the structural integrity, stability, and unified assembly of the Tabernacle's framework, crucial for its function as a mobile dwelling place for the Lord amidst the wandering Israelites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus chapter 26 is a detailed architectural blueprint for the Tabernacle, meticulously outlining its dimensions, materials, and construction. Following the general command for its erection in [Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8-9 - God's Dwelling Among His People"), this chapter focuses on the inner sanctuary's components. Verses 15-25 describe the precise specifications for the upright acacia wood boards that formed the Tabernacle's walls, including their dimensions and silver sockets. Verse 26 introduces the concept of the five bars for one side, and then Exodus 26:27 continues this theme by specifying the five bars for the "other side" (the second long side, likely the south side) and crucially, the five bars for the "two sides westward," which is better understood as the west end of the Tabernacle. This verse is immediately followed by [Exodus 26:28](/exodus/26-28 "Exodus 26:28 - The Middle Bar"), which describes the central bar running "through the midst of the boards from the one end to the other," underscoring the complete and unified structural system. The entire section emphasizes God's precise and comprehensive design for His dwelling place.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to Moses at Mount Sinai, shortly after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law. This period was characterized by their nomadic existence in the wilderness, making a permanent temple impossible. The Tabernacle, therefore, served as a portable sanctuary, symbolizing God's continuous presence and guidance among His people during their journey to the Promised Land. Its design, including the interlocking system of boards and bars, facilitated its repeated dismantling and reassembly, essential for their travels. The meticulous detail in these instructions reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of sacred spaces, where divine presence often necessitated precise architectural adherence to heavenly prototypes. Furthermore, the Tabernacle's construction was a communal effort, requiring the participation and skilled craftsmanship of the entire congregation, reinforcing their collective identity and covenant relationship with God as they journeyed through the wilderness, as detailed in [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Offerings for the Tabernacle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bars (Hebrew, בְּרִיחַ, _beriyach_):** This noun, derived from a root meaning "to flee," "to pass through," or "to pierce," aptly describes the function of these wooden elements. They were not merely decorative but served as critical structural components, sliding through rings attached to the boards to interlock and unify the entire framework. Their purpose was to provide stability and rigidity, ensuring the Tabernacle could withstand the rigors of transport and assembly in the wilderness.
* **Boards (Hebrew, קֶרֶשׁ, _qeresh_):** Referring to the upright planks of acacia wood that formed the walls of the Tabernacle, _qeresh_ implies something cut or split. These boards were the primary vertical elements of the sanctuary's structure, each standing in silver sockets. The bars, therefore, were essential for binding these individual boards together into a cohesive and robust wall system, preventing collapse and maintaining the precise dimensions of the sacred space.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, מִשְׁכָּן, _mishkan_):** Meaning "dwelling place" or "residence," this term underscores the central purpose of the entire structure: to be the earthly abode where God would dwell among His people. The detailed instructions for its construction, including the bars, highlight the sanctity and importance of this divine dwelling. Every component, no matter how seemingly minor, contributed to the perfection and functionality of the place where God's glory would reside.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle":** This clause specifies the number and placement of bars for the second of the two long sides of the Tabernacle, likely referring to the south side, as [Exodus 26:26](/exodus/26-26 "Exodus 26:26 - Bars for the First Side") had already addressed the first long side (north). The precise number "five" emphasizes the divine blueprint's meticulousness and the structural necessity for uniform stability across the entire edifice.
* **"and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle":** This phrase, when read in conjunction with the preceding and following clauses, refers to the third side of the Tabernacle's main structure. While the KJV phrasing "side of the tabernacle" can be ambiguous, the context of the overall design (two long sides and one short west end) strongly indicates this refers to the west end (or rear) of the Tabernacle. This ensures that all three walled sides (north, south, and west) received the same number of reinforcing bars.
* **"for the two sides westward":** This KJV translation is somewhat archaic and can be confusing. More accurately, it refers to the west end of the Tabernacle, which was the shorter, rear wall. The Hebrew phrase implies "for the side walls of the Tabernacle, for the west," confirming that the five bars mentioned in the preceding clause were specifically for the west-facing wall. This detail completes the description of the horizontal bracing for the three enclosed sides of the sanctuary.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 26:27, within the broader context of the Tabernacle's construction, employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is prominent, with the phrase "five bars" appearing multiple times across verses 26-27, emphasizing the precise and uniform nature of the divine instructions and the critical importance of these components. This repetition reinforces the meticulousness of God's design. **Symbolism** is also deeply embedded; the bars, by binding individual boards into a unified structure, symbolize the unity and cohesion desired for the community of Israel, which was to be bound together by their covenant with God. Furthermore, the detailed, almost architectural language itself serves as a form of **hyper-precision**, highlighting God's absolute authority and His attention to every minute detail concerning His dwelling place, underscoring the sanctity and divine origin of the Tabernacle's design.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle's bars reveal God's character as a God of order, precision, and intentionality. Every detail, no matter how small, contributed to the stability and sanctity of His dwelling place among His people. This divine design underscores the theological truth that God desires a structured and unified relationship with humanity, built on firm foundations. Just as the physical bars provided essential cohesion for the Tabernacle, God provides the spiritual "bars"—His Word, His Spirit, and the bond of love—to unify His people into a cohesive spiritual house. The Tabernacle, in its ordered construction, served as a tangible representation of God's presence and the structured covenant relationship He established with Israel.

* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - One Body, Many Members")
* [Colossians 3:14](/colossians/3-14 "Colossians 3:14 - The Bond of Perfectness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed blueprint for the Tabernacle, down to the number and placement of its bars, serves as a profound reminder of God's incredible attention to detail in all His works. This level of precision in the physical structure of His dwelling place invites us to consider the meticulousness with which He designs our lives, our communities, and the spiritual house that is His church. Just as the bars provided essential stability and unity to the Tabernacle, so too are there foundational elements—shared faith, mutual love, adherence to biblical truth, and the indwelling Holy Spirit—that are crucial for the strength and cohesion of the body of Christ today. We are called to be contributors to this unity, recognizing that each individual believer, like each board, plays a vital role, and that our collective strength comes from being rightly joined together by divine principles. This passage challenges us to examine the "bars" in our own spiritual lives and in our communities: Are they strong? Are they aligned with God's design? Are we actively participating in the work of binding together, rather than pulling apart?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's construction speak to His character and our approach to spiritual disciplines?**
* **In what ways can we, as individual believers, act as "bars" that bring stability and unity to our local church or community?**
* **Considering the Tabernacle's portability, how does this design principle apply to the church's mission and adaptability in a changing world?**

### FAQ

**Why were five bars specified for each side, and not more or fewer?**

Answer: The precise number of five bars for each side (two long sides and the west end) was a divine specification, emphasizing God's meticulous design for the Tabernacle. From a practical standpoint, five bars provided optimal structural integrity and stability for the tall, relatively thin acacia wood boards, ensuring the Tabernacle could withstand the elements and the stresses of being dismantled and reassembled during the Israelites' wilderness journeys. The number five in biblical numerology can sometimes represent grace or responsibility, but here its primary significance is functional and symbolic of divine completeness in design. The arrangement typically involved two bars at the top, two at the bottom, and one central bar running through the boards from end to end, as clarified in [Exodus 26:28](/exodus/26-28 "Exodus 26:28 - The Middle Bar"), providing balanced support.

**How were these bars actually used with the boards?**

Answer: The boards themselves had rings of gold attached to them, as described in [Exodus 26:29](/exodus/26-29 "Exodus 26:29 - Gold Rings for the Bars"). The five bars for each side were slid horizontally through these rings. This interlocking system effectively bound the individual upright boards together, transforming them from separate planks into a unified, rigid wall. The central bar was particularly important, as it ran the entire length of the wall, providing a continuous line of strength and cohesion. This ingenious design allowed for both immense stability when assembled and relative ease of disassembly for transport.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Tabernacle, in its intricate design and portable nature, serves as a profound foreshadowing of Christ and the new covenant reality. The bars, specifically, which provided unity, stability, and integrity to God's dwelling place among Israel, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true "bar" that holds all things together, for in Him "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Holds All Things Together")). Just as the Tabernacle's structure relied on these connecting elements, the spiritual house of God, the church, is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). He is the unifying force, breaking down dividing walls and bringing diverse peoples together into one body ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). The portability of the Tabernacle, enabled by its design, prefigures the non-localized presence of God in the New Testament era, where God no longer dwells in temples made with hands but in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit ([Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48-50 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made with Hands")). Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell among His people, providing the perfect and eternal means of access, unity, and stability for all who believe.

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.