Exodus 26:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.

NIV: Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set.

NASB: You shall make loops of violet on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you shall make them on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.

CSB: Make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the last curtain in the first set, and do the same on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.

NLT: Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set.

KJV: And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.

NKJV: And you shall make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set.

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.

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.