Exodus 26

1 "Make for the Holy Tent ten curtains of fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread. Have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on the pieces of cloth.

2 Make each curtain the same size -- forty-two feet long and six feet wide.

3 Sew five curtains together for one set, and sew the other curtains together for the second set.

4 Make loops of blue cloth on the edge of the end curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other set.

5 Make fifty loops on the end curtain of the first set and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set. These loops must be opposite each other.

6 And make fifty gold hooks to join the two sets of curtains so that the Holy Tent is one piece.

7 "Then make another tent that will cover the Holy Tent, using eleven curtains made from goat hair.

8 All these curtains must be the same size -- forty-five feet long and six feet wide.

9 Sew five of the curtains together into one set. Then sew the other six curtains together into the second set. Fold the sixth curtain double over the front of the Tent.

10 Make fifty loops down the edge of the end curtain of one set, and do the same for the end curtain of the other set.

11 Then make fifty bronze hooks and put them in the loops to join the tent together so that the covering is one piece.

12 Let the extra half piece of cloth hang over the back of the Holy Tent.

13 There will be eighteen inches hanging over the sides of the Holy Tent, to protect it.

14 Make a covering for the Holy Tent from sheepskins colored red, and over that make a covering from fine leather.

15 "Use acacia wood to make upright frames for the Holy Tent.

16 Each frame must be fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches wide,

17 with two pegs side by side. Every frame must be made the same way.

18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the Holy Tent.

19 Each frame must have two silver bases to go under it, a peg fitting into each base. You must make forty silver bases for the frames.

20 Make twenty more frames for the north side of the Holy Tent

21 and forty silver bases for them -- two bases for each frame.

22 You must make six frames for the rear or west end of the Holy Tent

23 and two frames for each corner at the rear.

24 The two frames are to be doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal ring. Both corner frames must be made this way.

25 So there will be a total of eight frames at the rear of the Tent, and there will be sixteen silver bases -- two bases under each frame.

26 "Make crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the Holy Tent. Make five crossbars to hold the frames together on one side

27 and five to hold the frames together on the other side. Also make five crossbars to hold the frames together on the west end, at the rear.

28 The middle crossbar is to be set halfway up the frames, and it is to run along the entire length of each side and rear.

29 Make gold rings on the sides of the frames to hold the crossbars, and cover the frames and the crossbars with gold.

30 Set up the Holy Tent by the plan shown to you on the mountain.

31 "Make a curtain of fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread, and have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on it.

32 Hang the curtain by gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood that are covered with gold, and set them in four silver bases.

33 Hang the curtain from the hooks in the roof, and put the Ark of the Agreement containing the two stone tablets behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

34 Put the lid on the Ark of the Agreement in the Most Holy Place.

35 "Outside the curtain, put the table on the north side of the Holy Tent. Put the lampstand on the south side of the Holy Tent across from the table.

36 "Then, for the entrance of the Tent, make a curtain with fine linen and blue, purple, and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to sew designs on it.

37 Make five posts of acacia wood covered with gold. Make gold hooks for them on which to hang the curtain, and make five bronze bases for them.

PREVIOUS Exodus 25 NEXT Exodus 27

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?

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

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.