Exodus 26:6

KJV

And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} fifty {H2572} taches {H7165} of gold {H2091}, and couple {H2266} the curtains {H3407} together with {H802}{H269} the taches {H7165}: and it shall be one {H259} tabernacle {H4908}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Make fifty fasteners of gold, and couple the sheets to each other with the fasteners, so that the tabernacle forms a single unit.

Berean Standard Bible

Make fifty gold clasps as well, and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle will be a unit.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be one whole.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 26:6 provides precise divine instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the creation of fifty golden clasps, or "taches," essential for joining the two major sets of curtains. This critical connection point was designed to ensure the seamless unity and structural integrity of the sacred dwelling, transforming disparate components into a single, cohesive sanctuary. The meticulous precision in the number of clasps and the use of precious gold underscore the holiness, divine order, and inherent value of God's presence among His people, emphasizing that His dwelling place must reflect His singular glory and purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the detailed architectural blueprint for the Tabernacle, found in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25-31 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"). Specifically, [Exodus 26](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - The Tabernacle's Structure") outlines the precise design for the Tabernacle's inner coverings and framework. Verses 1-5 meticulously describe the dimensions, materials, and colors of the ten linen curtains, which were divided into two sets of five. These verses also specify the creation of loops along the edges of these curtain sets. Verse 6 then introduces the crucial mechanism for joining these two large sections, transitioning from the description of individual components to the method of their unified assembly. This verse is pivotal in demonstrating how the various elements were designed to interlock perfectly, forming the singular, sacred enclosure where God's glory would manifest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle took place during Israel's nomadic journey through the wilderness, a period immediately following their miraculous liberation from Egyptian slavery, as chronicled in [the book of Exodus](/exodus/1 "Exodus - The Deliverance of Israel"). This portable sanctuary served as the central hub of Israelite worship and the tangible symbol of God's covenant presence among His people, fulfilling His promise to "dwell among them" ([Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Dwelling Among Israel")). Unlike the grand, permanent temples of surrounding pagan nations, the Tabernacle's design emphasized its mobility, reflecting Israel's journey and God's dynamic, relational presence. The meticulous instructions, including the use of precious materials like gold, distinguished it from common tents and underscored its sacred purpose as the unique place where a holy God would meet with His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 26:6 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent theme is **Divine Order and Precision**, evidenced by the exact measurements, specific materials, and precise number of components (like the fifty taches). This meticulousness highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for holiness in all matters related to His worship. Another key theme is **God's Presence and Dwelling**, as the Tabernacle's construction is entirely dedicated to creating a suitable space for God to reside among His people. The verse's emphasis on the Tabernacle becoming "one" underscores the theme of **Unity**, both in the physical structure and, by extension, in the unified worship and community of God's people. This unity is essential for the manifestation of God's glory, echoing the singular nature of God Himself, as declared in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Taches (Hebrew, _qereç'_):** The Hebrew term קֶרֶץ (_qereç'_, H7165) refers to a "knob" or "belaying-pin," often described as a clasp or hook. These were not merely decorative but highly functional components, specifically designed to interlock with the loops (לֻלְאֹת, _lul’aot_) mentioned in [Exodus 26:4-5](/exodus/26-4-5 "Exodus 26:4-5 - Loops on the Curtains"). Their purpose was to create a secure and robust connection, ensuring the structural integrity and seamless appearance of the Tabernacle's covering. The precise number "fifty" emphasizes divine precision and sufficiency for the task of unification.
* **Gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_):** The Hebrew word זָהָב (_zâhâb'_, H2091) signifies "gold," a precious metal known for its purity, incorruptibility, and brilliance. In the context of the Tabernacle, gold consistently represents divinity, holiness, and immense value. Its use for the taches elevates these functional connectors to a sacred status, symbolizing that the bond holding God's dwelling place together is of divine origin and sacred worth, reflecting the purity and glory of God Himself.
* **Couple (Hebrew, _châbar'_):** The verb חָבַר (_châbar'_, H2266) means "to join," "to unite," "to bind together," or "to connect." In this context, it signifies the act of bringing two distinct sets of curtains into a seamless union. This verb implies more than mere attachment; it conveys the idea of intimate connection that results in a unified whole, essential for the Tabernacle's function as a single, sacred space. This act of joining emphasizes the intentional unification of diverse elements into a cohesive entity.
* **One (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** The Hebrew word אֶחָד (_ʼechâd'_, H259) denotes "one," "a single entity," or "unity." Its use here, "it shall be one tabernacle," is crucial. Despite being composed of multiple parts (curtains, boards, coverings), the divine design ensured that the Tabernacle would function and appear as a singular, indivisible dwelling place for God. This concept of unity is a profound recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, from the unity of God Himself to the desired unity of His people and His plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold":** This initial clause specifies both the exact quantity and the precious material of the connecting elements. The precise number "fifty" underscores the divine blueprint's meticulous detail, leaving nothing to human improvisation or approximation. The choice of "gold" signifies the supreme value, purity, and holiness associated with God's dwelling place, elevating these functional clasps to a sacred status that reflects the glory of the divine presence they serve.
* **"and couple the curtains together with the taches":** This describes the primary function of the golden clasps. They were designed to interlock the loops on the edges of the two large curtain sections, transforming them from separate pieces into a single, continuous covering. The act of "coupling" emphasizes the intentional unification of distinct parts into a cohesive whole, essential for both the structural integrity and the profound symbolic meaning of the Tabernacle as a unified sanctuary.
* **"and it shall be one tabernacle":** This culminating phrase declares the divinely intended outcome of the meticulous construction: the Tabernacle would be a unified, singular entity. Despite its modular design, with various components and coverings, the divine intention was for it to function as a seamless, integrated sanctuary. This unity was not merely architectural but profoundly theological, symbolizing the singular presence of God among His people and the coherence of His divine plan for their worship and fellowship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
**Symbolism** is profoundly evident in Exodus 26:6. The "fifty taches of gold" are not merely functional hardware but deeply symbolic elements. Gold consistently represents divinity, purity, and immense value throughout Scripture, signifying that the connection holding God's dwelling place together is of divine origin and sacred worth. The act of "coupling" disparate curtains to form "one tabernacle" employs **Metaphor** for unity, illustrating how diverse elements are brought into a cohesive whole by a divine design. This foreshadows the theological concept of the church as a unified body composed of many members, all bound together by Christ. The meticulous numerical precision ("fifty") and material specification ("gold") also highlight **Divine Order and Precision**, underscoring the absolute authority, intentionality, and perfection inherent in God's instructions for His sanctuary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, particularly the precise method of joining its parts, reveal profound theological truths about God's nature and His desire for unity within His covenant community. The emphasis on the Tabernacle being "one" underscores God's singular purpose and His desire for His dwelling place to reflect His own indivisible nature. The golden clasps, essential for this unity, symbolize the divine and precious nature of the bonds that hold God's people together. This speaks to the truth that true spiritual unity is not a human construct but a divinely ordained and empowered reality, reflecting the singular purpose and presence of God. This principle extends to the New Testament understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where diverse members are united by the Holy Spirit.

* [1 Corinthians 12:12](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12 - One Body, Many Members")
* [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Unity of the Spirit")
* [John 17:21](/john/17-21 "John 17:21 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The construction of the Tabernacle, with its golden clasps uniting distinct curtains into a single sanctuary, offers a powerful and enduring metaphor for the church today. Just as every component of the Tabernacle was essential for its function as God's dwelling, so too is every believer vital to the body of Christ. The "taches of gold" can be seen as representing the divine love, truth, and the indwelling Holy Spirit that bind us together, transforming diverse individuals into a unified community. This unity is not uniformity but a harmonious integration of unique gifts, personalities, and callings, enabling the church to effectively manifest God's presence and purpose in the world. Our commitment to fostering this unity, valuing each member as indispensable, and allowing Christ to be the ultimate connector, is paramount for the church to truly be "one tabernacle"—a cohesive, holy dwelling for God's Spirit and a beacon of His glory to a fragmented world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in the Tabernacle's construction inform our understanding of God's character and His expectations for our worship and service today?**
* **In what specific ways can we, as individuals and as a community, actively work to be "coupled together" by divine love and truth, reflecting the profound unity God desires for His church?**
* **What "golden taches" (spiritual principles, practices, or relationships) are essential for maintaining and strengthening the unity within our local church or broader faith community, enabling us to better embody God's presence?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of the "taches" in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The "taches," or clasps, were crucial functional elements designed to connect the two large sets of curtains that formed the inner covering of the Tabernacle. As described in [Exodus 26:1-5](/exodus/26-1-5 "Exodus 26:1-5 - The Tabernacle Curtains"), the Tabernacle's main covering consisted of ten linen curtains, divided into two sets of five. Each set had loops along its edge. The fifty golden taches were then used to interlock these loops, securely joining the two sections to create a single, continuous covering. Their primary purpose was to ensure the structural integrity and seamless unity of the sacred dwelling, making it "one tabernacle" as explicitly stated in [Exodus 26:6](/exodus/26-6 "Exodus 26:6 - The Golden Taches").

**Why were the taches made of gold?**

Answer: The choice of gold for the taches was highly significant, reflecting the sacred nature of the Tabernacle and the divine attributes associated with God's presence. Gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, consistently symbolizes divinity, holiness, purity, and immense value throughout biblical narratives, especially in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. By using gold for these connecting elements, God underscored that the bond holding His dwelling place together was not merely functional but divinely ordained, precious, and sacred. It signified the divine origin and worth of the unity within His sanctuary, a theme that extends to the spiritual unity of God's people, as seen in the refining of faith which is "more precious than gold" in [1 Peter 1:7](/1_peter/1-7 "1 Peter 1:7 - Faith More Precious Than Gold").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "one tabernacle" formed by the coupling of curtains with golden taches in [Exodus 26:6](/exodus/26-6 "Exodus 26:6 - The Golden Taches") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the church, His body. Just as the Tabernacle served as God's dwelling place among His people, Jesus is the true "tabernacle" or "tent" of God, for in Him "the Word became flesh and [dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of Jesus")" (John 1:14). He is the perfect union of divinity and humanity, bringing together what was disparate. Furthermore, Christ Himself is the ultimate "golden tache" that unites all believers into "one body" ([Ephesians 4:4](/ephesians/4-4 "Ephesians 4:4 - One Body and One Spirit")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He breaks down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), reconciling diverse peoples—Jew and Gentile—to God in "one new man" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity in Christ")). The Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ, acts as the divine "gold," empowering believers to maintain the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ([Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Unity of the Spirit")). Thus, the church, as Christ's body, becomes the living, spiritual "tabernacle" where God continues to dwell and manifest His unified presence in the world, all made possible by the unifying, precious work of Christ.

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 26:33

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.

Exodus 36:18

And he made fifty taches [of] brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.

Exodus 26:11

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.

Exodus 36:13

And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

Exodus 39:33

And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,

Ephesians 1:22

And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,

Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.