Exodus 35:11

Exodus 35:11 is part of Moses' detailed instructions to the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle, God's portable dwelling place in the wilderness. This verse specifically lists several key structural components:

Context of Exodus 35:11

Following the command to observe the Sabbath and the call for freewill offerings, Moses reiterates the precise specifications for the Tabernacle, as previously given by God on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 25-31). This chapter emphasizes the community's role in bringing the materials and skilled labor necessary to complete God's sanctuary. Verse 11 details parts of the outer structure, highlighting the meticulous nature of God's design for His sacred space.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Blueprint and Order: The listing of specific parts like "taches," "boards," "bars," "pillars," and "sockets" underscores the highly organized and divinely ordained nature of the Tabernacle's construction. Every element had a precise function and place, reflecting God's orderliness.
• God's Immanence: The Tabernacle served as a tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, a "dwelling place" (Hebrew: mishkan). This physical structure allowed the Israelites to experience God's nearness even in their nomadic journey.
• Attention to Detail in Worship: The emphasis on each minute component teaches the importance of carefulness and obedience in all matters pertaining to God's service and worship. No detail was too small for God's instruction.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses specific terms that are helpful to understand:

• Tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכָּן - mishkan): Meaning "dwelling place" or "residence," emphasizing God's habitation among His people.
• Tent (Hebrew: אֹהֶל - ohel): Refers to the outer tent structure that covered the Tabernacle itself, providing protection and a more general "tent" appearance suitable for a nomadic people.
• Covering (Hebrew: מִכְסֶה - mikseh): Specifically denotes the outermost layers of animal skins (ram skins dyed red and badger skins) that protected the Tabernacle from the elements.
• Taches (Hebrew: קְרָסִים - kerasim): These were golden or bronze clasps or hooks used to join the two sets of linen curtains that formed the inner wall of the Tabernacle, creating a unified structure.
• Boards (Hebrew: קְרָשִׁים - kerashim): Upright planks of acacia wood overlaid with gold, forming the solid walls of the holy place and Most Holy Place.
• Bars (Hebrew: בְּרִיחִים - berichim): Long wooden bars, also overlaid with gold, that passed through rings on the boards, holding them together to form a rigid wall.
• Pillars (Hebrew: עַמֻּדִים - ammudim): Columns, typically of acacia wood overlaid with gold, used to support the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and at the entrance to the Holy Place.
• Sockets (Hebrew: אֲדָנִים - adaním): Heavy bases, primarily of silver for the boards and bronze for the pillars at the entrance, into which the boards and pillars were set, providing stability.

Related Scriptures

The detailed construction of the Tabernacle is further elaborated in:

• Exodus 26, which provides the initial divine instructions for these very components.
• The completion and erection of the Tabernacle are described in Exodus 40.
• The New Testament book of Hebrews 9:1-10 interprets the Tabernacle and its elements as shadows pointing to the superior reality of Christ's redemptive work.

Practical Application

While we no longer build a physical Tabernacle, the principles remain relevant:

• Reverence for God's Presence: Just as God meticulously designed His dwelling, we should approach His presence with reverence and intentionality, understanding that He desires to dwell among us and within us (see 1 Corinthians 6:19).
• Importance of Details: The precise instructions remind us that even seemingly small acts of obedience and carefulness in our service to God matter. Our faithfulness in the "small things" reflects our commitment to His greater purposes.
• Unified Effort: The Tabernacle was built by the collective effort of the community, each contributing according to their gifts and resources. This highlights the importance of every believer's contribution to building up the spiritual house of God, the Church.