Verse

Exodus chapter 26

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What does Exodus chapter 26 mean?

Israel has received the first of God's covenant laws (Exodus 19:5–6). These include the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17) and various regulations (Exodus 21—23). In the prior chapter, the Lord called for donations (Exodus 25:1–7) to build His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). The ark (Exodus 25:10–11), table (Exodus 25:23–24), and lampstand (Exodus 25:31) will be kept there. The overall structure is called a "tabernacle," which is a large tent.

This chapter begins with designs for ornate linen curtains. These will form the inner walls of the sanctuary. The combined curtains are long enough to hang one cubit from the ground on the sides of the tabernacle's wooden supports (Exodus 26:15). These curtains are joined in two sets of five. Each curtain is 4 cubits wide. They are connected by clasps and loops. Correctly arranged, this linen tent will have a seam precisely 20 cubits from the tabernacle front and 10 cubits from its back. The remaining 10 cubits covers the back wall of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1–6).

The linen tent is then covered by a layer of water-resistant goat hair. Like the linens, this is made of two sections. However, one of these is slightly longer. The sections are 20 cubits and 24 cubits wide, one consisting of five curtains and the other of six. This covers the sides and back of the tabernacle to the ground and the additional length overhangs the front wall. The seam between the two sections would then align with the seam of the ornate linens 20 cubits from the entrance. To protect the entire structure from wind and water, these are covered with two more layers of processed animal skins, probably with sloping sides (Exodus 26:7–14).

These layers rest on a series of wooden scaffolds. The scaffolds form a rectangular box 10 cubits high, 10 cubits wide, and 30 cubits long on the north and south sides. This is about 15 feet by 15 feet by 45 feet, or 4.5 by 4.5 by 13.7 meters. The wood is overlaid with gold. Rings and beams tie the walls together, and the walls sit on a series of silver bases (Exodus 26:15–30).

Two thirds of the way into the tabernacle stand four wooden pillars covered in gold. These hold a veil made of yarn and linen. The veil resembles the tabernacle's inner walls with their embroidery and delicate work. This includes cherubim, which are the same creatures included in the design of the ark (Exodus 25:18). The seam in the linen and goat hair curtains (Exodus 26:2–3, 8–10) was 10 cubits from the back wall. Aligning the veil with this would create a perfectly symmetrical room. This "Most Holy Place" will contain nothing but the ark of the covenant (Exodus 26:31–34).

Just outside this veil rest the sacred table and lampstand. This room will also contain an altar for incense (Exodus 30:1). This "Holy Place" is twice as long as the "Most Holy Place." To separate the tabernacle from the outer courtyard (Exodus 27:9) is a screen. This fabric is embroidered and made of fine materials. Unlike the tabernacle walls and veil, this description does not mention cherubim. The screen hangs from five gold-plated pillars made of acacia wood (Exodus 26:35–37).
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