Exodus 26 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 26 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

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).

Exodus 26:1–14 describes the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9): a large tent-like space housing Israel's most sacred religious objects. The walls and ceiling of the tabernacle are made of finely woven linen with embroidery. This material forms two long curtains which will be joined and then draped over a wooden scaffolding (Exodus 26:15–30). The linens will cover the tabernacle's top, sides, and back wall. Over the linen will be goat-hair sheets. The fabrics are set with loops and rings made of gold and bronze. Two more layers of animal skins cap the top. These combine to make a watertight, enclosed space.

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).

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).

Exodus 26:36–37 explains how Israel must build the screen closing the front of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). The closure is made of linen and hung from gilded wooden pillars. This screen uses golden hooks and bronze bases. This encloses the first room of the tabernacle, "the Holy Place." This room will contain a sacred table (Exodus 25:23–24), a lampstand (Exodus 25:31), and an altar for incense (Exodus 30:1). Another veil inside splits the tabernacle to create a smaller room called "the Most Holy Place," where the ark is kept.

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).

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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