Exodus 26:13

The Eleven Curtains of Goat Hair · Exodus 26:7–14
Read Exodus 26

Translations

Modern
And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.
Traditional
And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
Literal
And the cubit from this side and the cubit from that side, in the remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle from this side and from that side to cover it.
Latin
Et cubitus ex una parte pendebit, et alter ex altera qui plus est in sagorum longitudine, utrumque latus tabernaculi protegens.

Original

Hebrew
English
And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.

Notes

The tabernacle itself (not including the courtyard around it) was not very large. It was about 4.6 meters (15 feet) wide and 13.7 meters (45 feet) long.

The main structure stood on 48 vertical frames. Each frame was 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 68.6 centimeters (27 inches) wide (26:16). The frames were made of acacia wood and covered with gold (26:15, 29).

Workers joined the frames together with horizontal crossbars. These bars formed a three-sided rectangle with one open end (26:26–28).

Two large linen curtains covered the structure. Each large curtain was made from five smaller curtains joined together. The two large curtains were then connected into one long covering (26:1–6).

This linen covering stretched across the top of the frame. It hung down along the sides and the back. It covered both the walls and the roof.

Over the linen curtain, workers placed another curtain made of goat hair. It was built in the same way. This curtain was 0.9 meters (3 feet) wider and 1.8 meters (6 feet) longer than the linen curtain (26:7–13). Because it was larger, it hung lower on every side.

Above these two curtains were two protective layers. One layer was made from tanned ram skins. The other was made from fine leather (26:14). These outer coverings protected the tabernacle from weather and damage.

Inside the tabernacle, another curtain divided the space into two parts. This curtain was beautifully embroidered. It hung across the width of the structure on four posts made of acacia wood (26:31–33). This created two rooms. The first room was called the Holy Place. The second room was called the Most Holy Place.

Events

Measurements

  • a cubit: About 18 in (45.7 cm)

Parallels

Exodus 36:14–19

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Coppersmith Deuteronomy, Book of Embroiderer, Embroidery Glorification History of Israel Lebanon Tabernacle

Topics

Tabernacle: Coverings of The Second, Eleven Curtains of Goats' Hair Tabernacle: The Curtains of Tabernacle: The Outer Covering Tapestry of the Tabernacle