Exodus 36:17
And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
And he made {H6213} fifty {H2572} loops {H3924} upon the uttermost {H7020} edge {H8193} of the curtain {H3407} in the coupling {H4225}, and fifty {H2572} loops {H3924} made {H6213} he upon the edge {H8193} of the curtain {H3407} which coupleth {H2279} the second {H8145}.
He made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set and fifty loops on the outermost sheet in the second set.
He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set.
And he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which was outmost in the second coupling.
Cross-References
No cross-references found.
Commentary
Exodus 36:17 details a specific step in the construction of the Tabernacle's inner curtains, focusing on the meticulous craftsmanship required for its assembly. This verse describes the creation of fifty loops on the edges of two sets of curtains, designed to perfectly interlock and join the sections together, forming a unified covering for the Holy Place.
Context
This verse is part of the extensive narrative in Exodus 35-40, which chronicles the actual building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings by skilled craftsmen like Bezaleel and Aholiab, empowered by the Spirit of God. Their work precisely followed the divine blueprints given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded earlier in Exodus 26. The particular instructions for these loops are found in Exodus 26:4, emphasizing the exact number and placement. The Tabernacle was to be God's dwelling place among His people, a sacred space where He would meet with them (Exodus 25:8).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "loops" is lul'ot (ืึปืึฐืึนืช), simply denoting a loop or eyelet. The word for "coupling" or "which coupleth" is related to the root chabar (ืึธืึทืจ), meaning "to join," "to unite," or "to bind together." This term underscores the function of these loops in creating a seamless, unified structure, vital for the integrity of the Tabernacle's covering.
Significance and Application
The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, including the loops on its curtains, teach us several timeless principles:
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