Exodus 26:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.

NIV: Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side.

NASB: And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

CSB: Place the table outside the curtain and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle, opposite the table; put the table on the north side.

NLT: Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

Exodus 26:31–35 describes the veil separating the tabernacle into two rooms. The embroidered walls and ceiling (Exodus 26:2–3) were joined such that their seam reached 20 cubits into the tabernacle's 30-cubit length. This is where the veil was hung, creating a secluded space of 10 cubits on all sides. The veil is ornately embroidered and hangs from a series of gilded wooden pillars. The ark is the only object kept inside this "Most Holy Place." Outside the veil are a table (Exodus 25:23–24), lampstand (Exodus 25:31), and incense altar (Exodus 30:1). Centuries later, when Jesus is crucified, the equivalent inner veil in the temple of Jerusalem tears from the top down (Matthew 27:51).

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).

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).

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.