Exodus 26
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle - משכן mischan, from שכן shachan, to dwell, means simply a dwelling place or habitation of any kind, but here it means the dwelling place of Jehovah, who, as a king in his camp, had his dwelling or pavilion among his people, his table always spread, his lamps lighted, and the priests, etc., his attendants, always in waiting. From the minute and accurate description here given, a good workman, had he the same materials, might make a perfect facsimile of the ancient Jewish tabernacle. It was a movable building, and so constructed that it might be easily taken to pieces, for the greater convenience of carriage, as they were often obliged to transport it from place to place, in their various journeyings. For the twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, see Clarke's note on Exo 25:4, etc. Cherubims - See Clarke's note on Exo 25:18. Cunning work - חשב chosheb probably means a sort of diaper, in which the figures appear equally perfect on both sides; this was probably formed in the loom. Another kind of curious work is mentioned, Exo 26:36, רקם rokem, which we term needle-work; this was probably similar to our embroidery, tapestry, or cloth of arras. It has been thought unlikely that these curious works were all manufactured in the wilderness: what was done in the loom, they might have brought with them from Egypt; what could be done by hand, without the use of complex machinery, the Israelitish women could readily perform with their needles, during their stay in the wilderness. But still it seems probable that they brought even their looms with them. The whole of this account shows that not only necessary but ornamental arts had been carried to a considerable pitch of perfection, both among the Israelites and Egyptians. The inner curtains of the…
Open source ↗TEN CURTAINS (Exo. 26:1-37) cunning work--that is, of elegant texture, richly embroidered. The word "cunning," in old English, is synonymous with "skilful."
Open source ↗Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle,.... Which he was ordered to make before, the pattern of which was shown him in the mount: this was an habitation for God to dwell in, as the word properly signifies, and into which the furniture before described was to be put; this tabernacle was a type both of the human nature of Christ, which is the true tabernacle which God pitched, and not man, the greater and more perfect one, Heb 8:2 in which the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily, where the glory of God is seen, in whom he grants his gracious presence to his people, and accepts of them and their sacrifices of prayer and praise; and also of the church of God, Psa 43:3. Here Jehovah dwells, grants his presence to his people, and comes and blesses them; here he is worshipped, and spiritual sacrifices are offered up to him with acceptance: the tabernacle of Moses was made with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet; the ground of these curtains was fine linen, twined or doubled: and the Jewish writers, as Maimonides, Ben Gersom, and others, say it was six times doubled, the word "Shesh", here used, signifying six; and this was interwoven with threads of yarn dyed blue, purple, and scarlet; according to Jarchi, the threads of which this tapestry was made were twenty four times doubled: he observes,"there were four sorts in every thread, one thread of fine linen, and three of wool, and every thread was doubled six times; lo, the four sorts, when they were twined together, there were twenty four double to a thread;''which if so, must make a stuff of a very great consistence and stiffness. This, as applied to the human nature of Christ, the fine linen may denote the purity of it; the various colours the different graces of the Spirit, with which it…
Open source ↗(cf. Ex 36:8-38). The Dwelling-Place. - This was to be formed of a framework of wood, and of tapestry and curtains. The description commences with the tapestry or tent-cloth (Exo 26:1-14), which made the framework (vv. 15-30) into a dwelling. The inner lining is mentioned first (Exo 26:1-6), because this made the dwelling into a tent (tabernacle). This inner tent-cloth was to consist of ten curtains (יריעת, αὐλαίαι), or, as Luther has more aptly rendered it, Teppiche, pieces of tapestry, i.e., of cloth composed of byssus yarn, hyacinth, purple, and scarlet. משׁזר twisted, signifies yarn composed of various colours twisted together, from which the finer kinds of byssus, for which the Egyptians were so celebrated, were made (vid., Hengstenberg, Egypt, pp. 139ff.). The byssus yarn was of a clear white, and this was woven into mixed cloth by combination with dark blue, and dark and fiery red. It was not to be in simple stripes or checks, however; but the variegated yarn was to be woven (embroidered) into the white byssus, so as to form artistic figures of cherubim ("cherubim, work of the artistic weaver, shalt thou make it"). חשׁב מעשׂה (lit., work or labour of the thinker) is applied to artistic weaving, in which either figures or gold threads (Exo 28:6, Exo 28:8, Exo 28:15) are worked into the cloth, and which is to be distinguished from רקם מעשׂה variegated weaving (Exo 26:36).
Open source ↗I. The house must be a tabernacle or tent, such as soldiers now use in the camp, which was both a mean dwelling and a movable one; and yet the ark of God had not better, till Solomon built the temple 480 years after this, Kg1 6:1. God manifested his presence among them thus in a tabernacle, 1. In compliance with their present condition in the wilderness, that they might have him with them wherever they went. Note, God suits the tokens of his favour, and the gifts of his grace, to his people's wants and necessities, according as they are, accommodating his mercy to their state, prosperous or adverse, settled or unsettled. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, Isa 43:2. 2. That it might represent the state of God's church in this world, it is a tabernacle-state, Psa 15:1. We have here no continuing city; being strangers in this world, and travellers towards a better, we shall never be fixed till we come to heaven. Church-privileges are movable goods, from one place to another; the gospel is not tied to any place; the candlestick is in a tent, and may easily be taken away, Rev 2:5. If we make much of the tabernacle, and improve the privilege of it, wherever we go it will accompany us; but, if we neglect and disgrace it, wherever we stay it will forsake us. What hath my beloved to do in my house? Jer 11:15. II. The curtains of the tabernacle must correspond to a divine pattern. 1. They were to be very rich, the best of the kind, fine twined linen; and colours very pleasing, blue, and purple, and scarlet. 2. They were to be embroidered with cherubim (Exo 26:1), to intimate that the angels of God pitch their tents round about the church, Psa 34:7. As there were cherubim over the mercy-seat, so there were round the tabernacle; for we find the angels compas…
Open source ↗26:1-37 The Tabernacle proper (as distinct from the surrounding courtyard) was not very large. It was approximately 15 feet wide and 45 feet long. The supporting framework consisted of 48 vertical frames, 15 feet high and 27 inches wide (26:16). They were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold (26:15, 29). The frames were locked together with horizontal crossbars to form a three-sided rectangle with an open end (26:26-28). Two large linen curtains (each composed of five smaller ones) were then linked together into one and draped across the top of this framework. The combined total was long enough to hang down on the sides and rear (26:1-6), forming coverings for the walls as well as the roof. Over the linen curtain was draped a curtain of goat-hair cloth constructed in the same way. It was three feet wider and six feet longer than the linen curtain (26:7-13), so that it hung down further than the linen curtain on all sides. Over these two curtains were two protective coverings, one of tanned ram skins and one of fine goatskin leather (26:14). The space so enclosed was divided in two with another beautifully embroidered curtain hanging crosswise on four posts of acacia wood. The resulting two spaces were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (26:31-33).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) שָׁזַר (shâzar, H7806) — to twist (a thread of straw) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8336) — bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith אַרְגָּמָן (ʼargâmân, H713) — purple (the color or the dyed stuff) שָׁנִי (shânîy, H8144) — crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it תּוֹלָע (tôwlâʻ, H8438) — the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed… כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);…
Open source ↗חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination חֹבֶרֶת (chôbereth, H2279) — a joint קִיצוֹן (qîytsôwn, H7020) — terminal מַחְבֶּרֶת (machbereth, H4225) — a junction, i.e. seam or sewed piece שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
Open source ↗חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity מַחְבֶּרֶת (machbereth, H4225) — a junction, i.e. seam or sewed piece שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again קָבַל (qâbal, H6901) — to admit, i.e. take (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty קֶרֶס (qereç, H7165) — a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);…
Open source ↗חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth כָּפַל (kâphal, H3717) — to fold together; figuratively, to repeat שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) קִיצוֹן (qîytsôwn, H7020) — terminal חֹבֶרֶת (chôbereth, H2279) — a joint שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty קֶרֶס (qereç, H7165) — a knob or belaying-pin (from its swelling form) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לֻלָאָה (lulâʼâh, H3924) — a loop חָבַר (châbar, H2266) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Open source ↗סֶרַח (çerach, H5629) — a redundancy עֲדַף (ʻădaph, H5736) — to be (causatively, have) redundant יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle סָרַח (çârach, H5628) — to extend (even to excess) אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… זֶה (zeh, H2088) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that עֲדַף (ʻădaph, H5736) — to be (causatively, have) redundant אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) סָרַח (çârach, H5628) — to extend (even to excess) צַד (tsad, H6654) — a side; figuratively, an adversary מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִכְסֶה (mikçeh, H4372) — a covering, i.e. weatherboarding אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather אָדַם (ʼâdam, H119) — flush or turn rosy מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… תַּחַשׁ (tachash, H8476) — a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen.
Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,
But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
“On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.
and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.