Exodus 26

CHAPTER 26

The Tabernacle (26:1–37)

(Exodus 36:8–38)

1–30 In this chapter, instructions for making the tabernacle itself are given (Hebrews 9:1–5). The tabernacle, sometimes called the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 27:21), was to be about fifteen meters long, five meters wide and five meters high.⁹⁴ It was to have a frame made of acacia-wood poles (acacia is an insect-resistant wood) on which two layers of curtains were to be hung: an inner layer of embroidered linen, and an outer layer of coarse goat hair (verses 1,7). Then over the curtains were to be two coverings: an inner covering of ram skins and an outer covering of sea-cow hides (verse 14).

Notice that the tabernacle was designed to be movable. For many years the Israelites would not be living in a permanent location, and they would have to carry all their belongings—including the tabernacle—along with them wherever they went.

31–35 Once the tabernacle was set up, it was to be divided into two rooms by a curtain similar to the inner layer of embroidered linen curtains (verses 31–32). The smaller room would be the Most Holy Place (verses 33–34) and contain the ark of the Testimony with its atonement cover (see Exodus 25:10–22 and comment). The Most Holy Place would represent God’s “throne room.” Its dimensions formed a perfect cube, five meters wide, five meters long and five meters high. In biblical times a cube symbolized perfection (Revelation 21:15–16).

The larger of the two rooms would be known as the Holy Place (verse 33), and it would contain the table (Exodus 25:23–30) and the lampstand (Exodus 25:31–40).

The curtain dividing these two rooms was of great significance; it prevented ordinary humans from entering the Most Holy Place. Only Moses and the high priest could enter into God’s presence, and then only under certain conditions (Hebrews 9:7). But when the last High Priest, Jesus Christ, was crucified, the corresponding curtain in the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:37–38). Thus through Jesus’ crucifixion and the tearing of this curtain (representing His body), the barrier separating human beings from God was removed; and we believers can now pass through that “curtain” into the very presence of God (Hebrews 6:19; 10:19–22).

36–37 In all the instructions for building the tabernacle, the only metals mentioned so far have been gold and silver. But in verse 37, bronze, a less valuable metal, is mentioned. From this we can see that the inner parts of the tabernacle, those closest to God’s presence, had to be made of the most excellent materials—materials befitting a king. Because indeed, God was Israel’s divine King, and the tabernacle needed to reflect His royalty. True worship begins with the recognition of God’s incomparable greatness and perfection, and the tabernacle was designed to illustrate that fact.