Exodus26
World English Bible · Public Domain
1“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. You shall make them with the work of a skillful workman.
2The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
3Five curtains shall be coupled together to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.
4You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling, and you shall do likewise on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second coupling.
5You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that is in the second coupling. The loops shall be opposite one another.
6You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains to one another with the clasps. The tabernacle shall be a unit.
7“You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
8The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure.
9You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shall double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent.
10You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outermost in the coupling, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which is outermost in the second coupling.
11You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13The cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
14You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
15“You shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright.
16Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and one and a half cubits the width of each board.
17There shall be two tenons in each board, joined to one another: thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18You shall make twenty boards for the tabernacle, for the south side southward.
19You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
20For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,
21and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
22For the far side of the tabernacle westward you shall make six boards.
23You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far side.
24They shall be double beneath, and in the same way they shall be whole to its top to one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
25There shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
26“You shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
27and 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 far side westward.
28The middle bar in the middle of the boards shall pass through from end to end.
29You shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars. You shall overlay the bars with gold.
30You shall set up the tabernacle according to the way that it was shown to you on the mountain.
31“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a skillful workman.
32You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, on four sockets of silver.
33You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring the ark of the covenant in there within the veil. The veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you.
34You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant in the most holy place.
35You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lamp stand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south. You shall put the table on the north side.
36“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
37You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold. You shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 26.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The curtains of the tabernacle. (1–6). The curtains of goats' hair. (7–14). The boards, sockets, and bars. (15–30). The vail of the holy of holies, and for the entrance. (31–37).
vv1-6
God manifested his presence among the Israelites in a tabernacle or tent, because of their condition in the wilderness. God suits the tokens of his favour, and the gifts of his grace, to his people's state and wants. The curtains of the tabernacle were to be very rich. They were to be embroidered with cherubim, signifying that the angels of God pitch their tents round about the church, Ps 34:7. (Ex 26:7-14)
vv7-14
The curtains of meaner materials, being made both longer and broader, covered the others, and were defended by coverings of skins. The whole represents the person and doctrine of Christ, and the church of true Christians, and all heavenly things, which outwardly are mean, but inwardly, and in the sight of God, are glorious and precious.
vv15-30
The sockets of silver each weighed about 115 pounds; they were placed in rows on the ground. In every pair of these sockets, a strong board of shittim-wood, covered with plates of gold, was fitted by mortises and tenons. Thus walls were formed for the two sides, and for the west end. The wall was further held together by bars, which passed through rings of gold. Over this the curtains were spread. Though movable, it was strong and firm. The materials were very costly. In all this it was a type of the church of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone, Eph 2:20, 21.
Key Words
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִשְׁכָּן: a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls)
עֶשֶׂר: ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
יְרִיעָה: a hanging (as tremulous)
שָׁזַר: to twist (a thread of straw)
שֵׁשׁ: bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble
תְּכֵלֶת: the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
אַרְגָּמָן: purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
כְּרוּב: a cherub or imaginary figure
חָשַׁב: properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute
Cross References
Exodus 26The apostle explains the spiritual significance of the veil dividing the Holy from the Most Holy Place.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The rending of the temple veil at Christ's death signifies free access to the holiest of all.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The veil is a type of Christ's flesh, through which we have a new and living way.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The tabernacle boards on silver sockets typify the church built on the foundation of the apostles.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reinforces the command to construct the tabernacle exactly according to the pattern shown on the mount.
Supported by JFB
The historical account of the actual construction of these exact ten curtains and coverings.
Identifies the source of the materials, noting that wise-hearted women spun the goats' hair.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms the subsequent construction of the protective outer covering of rams' skins dyed red.
Supported by JFB
The structural fulfillment of making the standing boards of shittim wood and their bars.
The execution of making the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Direct instruction on placing the mercy seat on top of the ark, executed here.
Highlights the heavenly pattern that Moses was strictly warned to follow when rearing the tabernacle.
Regulations concerning the high priest entering behind the veil only once a year.
New Testament description of the outer sanctuary containing the candlestick and the table.
The coupling together of the boards at the corners typifies Christian unity and brotherhood.
Consistent instructions for overlaying the wooden structural elements of the sanctuary with pure gold.