Exodus 26:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end.

NIV: The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames.

NASB: The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

CSB: The central crossbar is to run through the middle of the supports from one end to the other.

NLT: The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other.

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

NKJV: The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end.

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).

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.

Accessed 7/5/2025 10:08:17 PM