Exodus 26

Exodus 26 details the construction of the tabernacle, a sacred tent where God’s presence would dwell among the Israelites. The chapter provides specific instructions for the materials, design, and arrangement of the curtains, coverings, boards, bars, and veils that form the tabernacle’s structure. Each element is symbolic of God’s holiness and the need for careful attention to His instructions for worship.

Exodus 26:1-3 (NKJV)
1 “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them.
2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. And every one of the curtains shall have the same measurements.
3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.”

These verses describe the construction of ten curtains for the tabernacle, made from fine linen and decorated with cherubim using blue, purple, and scarlet thread. The intricate design signifies the heavenly origin of the tabernacle, with the cherubim symbolizing God’s holy presence. Each curtain is to be of uniform size, showing the importance of order and precision in God’s design. The curtains were to be joined together in two sets of five, providing the first layer of the tabernacle’s covering.

Exodus 26:4-6 (NKJV)
4 “And you shall make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set.
5 Fifty loops you shall make in the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is on the end of the second set, that the loops may be clasped to one another.
6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps, so that it may be one tabernacle.”

The instructions here ensure that the two sets of curtains are fastened securely together using blue yarn and gold clasps. The fifty loops and clasps show a perfect and complete connection, symbolizing unity and the seamless nature of God’s dwelling among His people. The use of gold further emphasizes the sacredness of the tabernacle, as gold is a symbol of purity and divinity. These details highlight the importance of harmony and divine craftsmanship in the construction of the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. And the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements.
9 And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent.”

The outer covering of the tabernacle was to be made from eleven curtains of goats' hair, symbolizing the protection and separation of the holy place from the outside world. These curtains were larger than the inner linen curtains, providing extra coverage. The sixth curtain is to be doubled over at the entrance, offering additional protection. The use of goats' hair also reflects the simple and rugged material suitable for the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, while still preserving the sacred nature of the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:10-11 (NKJV)
10 “You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain of the second set.
11 And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.”

Just as the inner curtains were joined by gold clasps, the outer curtains were fastened with bronze clasps. The use of bronze, a more common material, indicates that the outer layer was not as holy as the inner sanctuary, yet it still maintained its importance in holding the structure together. This reinforces the idea of layers of holiness, with increasing sacredness as one approaches the inner part of the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:12-13 (NKJV)
12 “The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13 And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side of what remains of 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.”

The excess fabric of the goats’ hair curtains was to hang over the back and sides of the tabernacle, providing full coverage and protection. This detail emphasizes the completeness of God’s design, ensuring that the holy space was entirely shielded from external elements. The extra material symbolizes God’s abundant provision and the completeness of His protection over His people.

Exodus 26:14 (NKJV)
14 “You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.”

This verse describes the final two layers of covering for the tabernacle. The ram skins dyed red likely symbolize sacrifice, a reminder of the offerings made to God. The badger skins (or possibly another durable animal hide) would provide further protection from the elements. These layers serve to safeguard the holiness of the tabernacle, representing both protection and the sacrificial system that would take place within.

Exodus 26:15-17 (NKJV)
15 “And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright.
16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board.
17 Two tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle.”

The boards made from acacia wood were to form the structure of the tabernacle. Acacia wood was known for its durability and resistance to decay, symbolizing the lasting nature of God’s covenant with His people. The boards were to be uniform in size, ensuring that the framework was stable and secure. The tenons (projecting pieces) allowed the boards to be tightly fitted together, reflecting the strength and unity required in the dwelling place of God.

Exodus 26:18-21 (NKJV)
18 “And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side.
19 You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons.
20 And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards
21 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards.”

Twenty boards were to be placed on each side of the tabernacle, secured by forty silver sockets. Silver, often associated with redemption, underscores the sacredness of the structure. The silver sockets anchored the boards firmly to the ground, representing how the tabernacle was founded on divine redemption and the solid, unshakable nature of God's presence among His people.

Exodus 26:22-25 (NKJV)
22 “For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards.
23 And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle.
24 They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners.
25 So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver—sixteen sockets—two sockets under each of the boards.”

The west side of the tabernacle, referred to as the back, required six boards, while two additional boards were used for the corners to strengthen the structure. These corner boards, joined at the top and bottom by rings, ensured the stability of the tabernacle. In total, eight boards were used for this side, with sixteen silver sockets to hold them securely. The emphasis on strong, secure construction reflects the importance of maintaining the sanctity and holiness of the space where God would dwell among His people.

Exodus 26:26-29 (NKJV)
26 “And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle,
27 five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward.
28 The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end.
29 You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold.”

Five bars of acacia wood were made to run along each side of the tabernacle, including the back, to hold the boards together. The middle bar ran through the center of the boards from one end to the other, providing additional structural integrity. These bars, along with the boards, were overlaid with gold, signifying the sacredness of the entire structure. The use of gold in the construction reflects God’s holiness, and the interconnectedness of the boards shows the strength and unity required in creating a dwelling place for the divine presence.

Exodus 26:30 (NKJV)
30 “And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.”

This verse serves as a reminder that the tabernacle was to be constructed according to the divine pattern shown to Moses on Mount Sinai. This pattern was not man-made but divinely revealed, emphasizing that worship and the place of God’s dwelling must be in accordance with His will. The careful adherence to this heavenly design underscores the importance of obedience to God's instructions in creating a holy space where He would dwell among His people.

Exodus 26:31-33 (NKJV)
31 “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim.
32 You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver.
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.”

The veil, made of fine linen and decorated with cherubim, was to be hung from four gold-overlaid pillars. The use of blue, purple, and scarlet in the thread reflects royalty, divinity, and sacrifice, while the cherubim design symbolizes God's holy presence. This veil was the divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Testimony would reside. The veil represented the separation between God and man, reminding the Israelites of God’s holiness and the need for reverence in His presence. Only the high priest could pass through the veil once a year, emphasizing the sacredness of the Most Holy Place.

Exodus 26:34-35 (NKJV)
34 “You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy.
35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.”

In these verses, specific instructions are given for the arrangement of the sacred furniture within the tabernacle. The mercy seat was to be placed upon the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place, symbolizing God’s throne of grace and the place where atonement was made for the sins of Israel. Outside the veil, in the Holy Place, the table of showbread was placed on the north side, and the lampstand on the south side, signifying the provision of God (the bread) and the light of His presence (the lampstand). This arrangement ensured that the worship within the tabernacle followed God’s exact design.

Exodus 26:36-37 (NKJV)
36 “You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver.
37 And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.”

The screen for the entrance of the tabernacle, like the veil, was woven from fine linen and richly adorned with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, symbolizing royalty, divinity, and sacrifice. It was made by skilled artisans, highlighting the importance of craftsmanship in creating the sacred space. The five pillars for the screen were made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, and had bronze sockets, indicating both strength and sacredness. This screen served as the outermost barrier to the Holy Place, separating the sacred space from the outside world while still allowing access for the priests who would minister inside.