What does Exodus 26:16 mean?
ESV: Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame.
NIV: Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,
NASB: Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board.
CSB: Each support is to be fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches wide.
NLT: Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide,
KJV: Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.
NKJV: Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Exodus 26:15–30 records a design for wooden scaffolds used in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). These give shape to the structure's walls. Scaffolds are connected by rings and bars and stand on bases made of silver. The scaffolding is covered in a thin overlay of gold. The tabernacle's width and height are both about 15 feet, or 4.5 meters, and the length is about 45 feet, or 13.7 meters. Linens cover the scaffolds (Exodus 26:1), goat hair curtains cover the linens (Exodus 26:7), and animal skins cover the entire structure (Exodus 26:14).
Chapter Summary:
God gives Israel instructions for the main structure of His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This is a "tabernacle:" a large tent. The inner walls are made of linen curtains embroidered with cherubim. The outer walls are a separate arrangement of goat hair curtains. These are draped over wooden frames. The entire assembly is covered with two more layers of animal skin. The tabernacle has an outer screen and a veil which divides the interior into two spaces. The first room is the Holy Place. The second, called the Most Holy Place, is the resting place of the ark (Exodus 25:10–11).
Chapter Context:
After the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17) and a few other rules, the rest of Exodus is mostly descriptions of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9) and its components. Chapter 25 introduced the ark, the table, and the menorah. This chapter details the large tent at the center of a large courtyard (Exodus 27:9). The next chapters describe various altars and sacred garments (Exodus 27—30).
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
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