Curtains of Linen

26 (A)Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and [a]violet, purple, and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. The length of each curtain shall be [b]twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have [c]the same measurements. Five curtains shall be [d]joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be [e]joined to one another. You shall make loops of violet on the edge of the [f]outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you shall make them on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second [g]set. You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops on the [h]edge of the curtain that is in the second [i]set; the loops shall be opposite each other. You shall also make fifty clasps of gold, and [j]join the curtains to one another with the clasps so that the [k]tabernacle will be a unit.

Curtains of Goats’ Hair

“Then (B)you shall make curtains of goats’ hair as a tent over the tabernacle; you shall make eleven curtains in all. The length of each curtain shall be [l]thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the eleven curtains shall have [m]the same measurements. You shall [n]join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain [o]at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the [p]curtain that is outermost in the first [q]set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second [r]set.

11 “You shall also make fifty clasps of [s]bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and [t]join the tent together so that it will be [u]a unit. 12 The [v]overhanging part that is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The [w]cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other, to cover it. 14 And (C)you shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins [x]dyed red and a covering of [y]fine leather above.

Boards and Bases

15 “Then you shall make (D)the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 16 [z]Ten cubits shall be the length of [aa]each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. 17 There shall be two tenons for each board, [ab]fitted to one another; that is what you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards [ac]for the south side. 19 You shall make forty (E)bases of silver under the twenty boards, two bases under one board for its two tenons and two bases under another board for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, 21 and their forty bases of silver; two bases under one board and two bases under another board. 22 For the [ad]back of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards. 23 You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the [ae]back. 24 They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete [af]to its top [ag]to the first ring; this is how it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight boards with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one board and two bases under another board.

26 “Then you shall make (F)bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the [ah]other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle for the [ai]back side to the west. 28 The middle bar in the [aj]center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. 29 And you shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold as holders for the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle (G)according to its plan which you have been shown on the mountain.

The Veil and Curtain

31 “You shall also make (H)a veil of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. 32 Then you shall [ak]hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks also of gold, on four bases of silver. 33 You shall [al]hang up the veil under the clasps, and bring in (I)the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall [am]serve as a partition for you (J)between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. 34 (K)You shall put the [an]atoning cover on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And (L)you shall set the table outside the veil, and the (M)lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

36 (N)You shall also make a curtain for the doorway of the tent of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a [ao]weaver. 37 And (O)you shall make five pillars of acacia for the curtain and overlay them with gold, their hooks also of gold; and you shall cast five bases of [ap]bronze for them.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:1 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color, and so throughout the ch
  2. Exodus 26:2 About 42 ft. long and 6 ft. wide or 13 m and 1.8 m
  3. Exodus 26:2 Lit one measure
  4. Exodus 26:3 Or coupled
  5. Exodus 26:3 Or coupled
  6. Exodus 26:4 Lit one curtain from the end in the coupling
  7. Exodus 26:4 Lit coupling
  8. Exodus 26:5 Lit end
  9. Exodus 26:5 Lit coupling
  10. Exodus 26:6 Or couple
  11. Exodus 26:6 Or dwelling place, and so throughout the ch
  12. Exodus 26:8 About 45 ft. long and 6 ft. wide or 13.5 m and 1.8 m
  13. Exodus 26:8 Lit one measure
  14. Exodus 26:9 Or couple
  15. Exodus 26:9 Lit toward the front of the face of the tent
  16. Exodus 26:10 Lit one curtain
  17. Exodus 26:10 Lit coupling
  18. Exodus 26:10 Lit coupling
  19. Exodus 26:11 Or copper
  20. Exodus 26:11 Or couple
  21. Exodus 26:11 Lit one
  22. Exodus 26:12 Lit excess
  23. Exodus 26:13 About 18 in. or about 45 cm
  24. Exodus 26:14 Or tanned
  25. Exodus 26:14 Meaning of the Heb uncertain
  26. Exodus 26:16 About 15 ft. long and 2.2 ft. wide or 4.6 m and 68 cm
  27. Exodus 26:16 Lit the
  28. Exodus 26:17 Lit bound
  29. Exodus 26:18 Lit toward the side of the Negev to the south
  30. Exodus 26:22 Lit far parts
  31. Exodus 26:23 Lit far parts
  32. Exodus 26:24 Or at its head
  33. Exodus 26:24 Or with reference to
  34. Exodus 26:27 Lit second
  35. Exodus 26:27 Lit far parts
  36. Exodus 26:28 Lit midst
  37. Exodus 26:32 Lit put
  38. Exodus 26:33 Lit put
  39. Exodus 26:33 Lit separate for you between
  40. Exodus 26:34 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  41. Exodus 26:36 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
  42. Exodus 26:37 Or copper

The Tabernacle(A)

26 “Make the tabernacle(B) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim(C) woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same size(D)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.(E)

“Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size(F)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit.(G) 12 As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit[c] longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a covering(H) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[d](I)

15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[e] 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases(J) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases(K)—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the tabernacle(L) according to the plan(M) shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain(N) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim(O) woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.(P) 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.(Q) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(R) 34 Put the atonement cover(S) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table(T) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand(U) opposite it on the south side.

36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain(V) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.(W) 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:2 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  2. Exodus 26:8 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  3. Exodus 26:13 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  4. Exodus 26:14 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 25:5)
  5. Exodus 26:16 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide

26 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.

The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.

And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.

Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.

And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.

The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.

And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.

10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.

11 And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.

12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.

13 And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.

14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.

15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

17 Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

19 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.

20 And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:

21 And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

22 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.

23 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.

24 And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.

25 And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,

27 And 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 two sides westward.

28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.

29 And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

31 And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

35 And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.

37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.