Exodus 26
Exodus 26 records God’s detailed instructions to Moses about the structure, materials, and construction of the tabernacle. It explains how each part is to be made: the curtains and coverings, the frames and bars, and the veil separating the Most Holy Place. Because this is the place where God will dwell among His people, the chapter emphasizes holiness, order, and careful obedience.
1verse“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.
2verseThe length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
3verseFive curtains shall be coupled together to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.
4verseYou 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.
5verseYou 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.
6verseYou shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains to one another with the clasps. The tabernacle shall be a unit.
7verse“You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
8verseThe length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure.
9verseYou shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shall double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent.
10verseYou 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.
11verseYou shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12verseThe overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13verseThe 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.
14verseYou shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
15verse“You shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright.
16verseTen cubits shall be the length of a board, and one and a half cubits the width of each board.
17verseThere shall be two tenons in each board, joined to one another: thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18verseYou shall make twenty boards for the tabernacle, for the south side southward.
19verseYou 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.
20verseFor the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,
21verseand their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
22verseFor the far side of the tabernacle westward you shall make six boards.
23verseYou shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far side.
24verseThey 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.
25verseThere shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
26verse“You shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
27verseand 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.
28verseThe middle bar in the middle of the boards shall pass through from end to end.
29verseYou shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars. You shall overlay the bars with gold.
30verseYou shall set up the tabernacle according to the way that it was shown to you on the mountain.
31verse“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.
32verseYou shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, on four sockets of silver.
33verseYou 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.
34verseYou shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant in the most holy place.
35verseYou 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.
36verse“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.
37verseYou 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.
Summary of the Structure and Content
- Curtains and coverings (verses 1–14): The chapter describes how to make the fine linen curtains, the covering of goat hair, and the coverings of ram skins dyed red, which are the main covering items of the tabernacle. Each one is assigned a particular color, pattern, and size.
- Frames and bases (verses 15–30): Detailed instructions are provided on the boards of acacia wood that will form the walls of the tabernacle, the silver bases, and the method for connecting the boards.
- Curtain and screen (verses 31–37): The chapter concludes with instructions for making the curtain that separates the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, and the curtain (the entrance) that covers the doorway. This work requires valuable materials such as gold-threaded yarn, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, as well as craftsmanship.
Overall Meaning and Symbolism
The design of the tabernacle is not merely a set of architectural instructions; it contains a message about God’s holiness and order, as well as the distinction between people and God and how one may approach Him. The curtain that divides the Most Holy Place and the Holy Place, the selection of various materials, and the uniformity of size and shape symbolically show that in order to come before God, preparation, obedience, and holiness are required. Moreover, because every item is carried out according to God’s command, it also awakens a heart that trusts God’s plan and guidance beyond human understanding.
Reflection Points
- Why does God command even the smallest details with such care?
- Consider the meaning of “distinction” and “boundary,” which appears repeatedly in the tabernacle’s structure.
- If the place where God will dwell is in my life, let us think about what kind of attitude and heart I should prepare with.
Personal Application
- Take a moment to check what “order” and “preparation” look like in how I live a life that welcomes God into my daily life.
- When I worship or serve God, look back on what my heart’s posture and preparation are like, and find ways to come before Him more truthfully and with greater sincerity.
