Exodus 26

1 "Make The Dwelling itself from ten panels of tapestry woven from fine twisted linen, blue and purple and scarlet material, with an angel-cherubim design. A skilled craftsman should do it.

2 The panels of tapestry are each to be forty-six feet long and six feet wide.

3 Join five of the panels together, and then the other five together.

4 Make loops of blue along the edge of the outside panel of the first set and the same on the outside panel of the second set.

5 Make fifty loops on each panel.

6 Then make fifty gold clasps and join the tapestries together so that The Dwelling is one whole.

7 "Next make tapestries of goat hair for a tent that will cover The Dwelling. Make eleven panels of these tapestries.

8 The length of each panel will be forty-five feet long and six feet wide.

9 Join five of the panels together, and then the other six. Fold the sixth panel double at the front of the tent.

10 Now make fifty loops along the edge of the end panel and fifty loops along the edge of the joining panel.

11 Make fifty clasps of bronze and connect the clasps with the loops, bringing the tent together.

12 "Hang half of the overlap of the tapestry panels over the rear of The Dwelling.

13 The eighteen inches of overlap on either side will cover the sides of the tent.

14 Finally, make a covering for the tapestries of tanned rams' skins dyed red and over that a covering of dolphin skins.

15 "Frame The Dwelling with planks of acacia wood,

16 each section of frame fifteen feet long and two and one-quarter feet wide,

17 with two pegs for securing them. Make all the frames identical:

18 twenty frames for the south side

19 with forty silver sockets to receive the two pegs from each of the twenty frames;

22 for the rear of The Dwelling, which faces west, make six frames

23 with two additional frames for the rear corners.

24 Both of the two corner frames need to be double in thickness from top to bottom and fit into a single ring

25 - eight frames altogether with sixteen sockets of silver, two under each frame.

26 "Now make crossbars of acacia wood, five for the frames on one side of The Dwelling,

27 five for the other side, and five for the back side facing west.

28 The center crossbar runs from end to end halfway up the frames.

29 Cover the frames with a veneer of gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. And cover the crossbars with a veneer of gold.

30 Then put The Dwelling together, following the design you were shown on the mountain.

31 "Make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Have a design of angel-cherubim woven into it by a skilled craftsman.

32 Fasten it with gold hooks to four posts of acacia wood covered with a veneer of gold, set on four silver bases.

33 After hanging the curtain from the clasps, bring the Chest of The Testimony in behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Holy-of-Holies.

34 Now place the Atonement-Cover lid on the Chest of The Testimony in the Holy-of-Holies.

35 Place the Table and the Lampstand outside the curtain, the Lampstand on the south side of The Dwelling and the Table opposite it on the north side.

36 "Make a screen for the door of the tent. Weave it from blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

37 Frame the weaving with five poles of acacia wood covered with a veneer of gold and make gold hooks to hang the weaving. Cast five bronze bases for the poles.

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?

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.