Exodus 26

The Ten Curtains for the Tabernacle

1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. ¹

2 Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide ^[a]—all curtains the same size.

3 Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well.

4 Make loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and do the same for the end curtain in the second set.

5 Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops line up opposite one another.

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

The Eleven Curtains of Goat Hair

7 You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. ²

8 Each of the eleven curtains is to be the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. ^[b]

9 Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent.

10 Make 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.

11 Make fifty bronze clasps and put them through the loops to join the tent together as a unit.

12 As for the overlap that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over shall hang down over the back of the tabernacle.

13 And the tent curtains will be a cubit ^[c] longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.

14 Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather. ^[d]

The Frames and Bases

15 You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. ³

16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. ^[e]

17 Two tenons ^[f] must be connected to each other for each frame. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.

18 Construct twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle,

19 with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.

20 For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, make twenty frames

21 and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame.

22 Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side,

23 and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle,

24 coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. These will serve as the two corners.

25 So there are to be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 You are also to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle,

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

28 The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other.

29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

The Veil

31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. ⁴

32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.

33 And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony ^[g] behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. ^[h]

34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.

35 And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side.

The Curtain for the Entrance

36 For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. ⁵

37 Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold hooks, and cast five bronze bases for them.

Exodus 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

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)

Verses 1-6 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, ( Psalms 34:7 ) .

Verses 7-14 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.

Verses 15-30 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, ( ephesians 2:20 ephesians 2:21 ) .

Verses 31-37 A vail, or curtain, separated the holy place from the most holy place. It was hung upon pillars. This vail was for a partition between the holy place and the most holy; which forbade any to look into the holiest of all. The apostle tells what was the meaning of this vail, ( Hebrews 9:8 ) . That the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle was standing. Life and immortality lay hidden till they were brought to light by the gospel; which was signified by the rending of this vail at the death of Christ, ( Matthew 27:51 ) . We have now boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of worship, by the blood of Jesus; yet such as obliges us to holy reverence. Another vail was for the outer door of the tabernacle. This vail was all the defence the tabernacle had. God takes care of his church on earth. A curtain shall be, if God please to make it so, as strong a defence to his house, as gates of brass and bars of iron. With this typical description of Christ and his church before us, what is our judgment of these matters? Do we see any glory in the person of Christ? any excellence in his character? any thing precious in his salvation? or any wisdom in the doctrine of the cross? Will our religion bear examination? and are we more careful to approve our hearts to God than our characters toward men?

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 36:8–13)
• 2. (Exodus 36:14–19)
• 3. (Exodus 36:20–34)
• 4. (Exodus 36:35–36)
• 5. (Exodus 36:37–38)

Footnotes

• [a]. Each of the ten curtains was approximately 42 feet long and 6 feet wide (12.8 meters long and 1.8 meters wide).
• [b]. Each of the eleven curtains was approximately 45 feet long and 6 feet wide (13.7 meters long and 1.8 meters wide).
• [c]. A cubit is approximately 18 inches or 45.7 centimeters.
• [d]. Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
• [e]. Each frame was approximately 15 feet long and 2.25 feet wide (4.6 meters long and 68.6 centimeters wide).
• [f]. That is, projecting pieces of wood made for insertion into another piece; similarly in verse 19.
• [g]. That is, the ark of the covenant; also in verse 34
• [h]. Or the Holy of Holies; also in verse 34

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 26

In this chapter a description is given of the tabernacle itself, and first of its inward curtains, of their number, matter, length, and breadth, and the manner of coupling them together, Ex 26:1-6, and then of the outward curtains of it, their number, matter, length, and breadth, and coupling, and how disposed of, Ex 26:7-13, and next of the two coverings of the tabernacle, of rams' skins and badgers' skins, Ex 22:14, the boards for the tabernacle are also described, with their tenons and sockets, Ex 26:15-25 and the bars and rings for it, by which it was kept firm together, Ex 26:26-30, an account is given of the vail between the holy and the most holy place, Ex 26:31-35, and of the hanging for the door of the tabernacle, Ex 26:36,37.