Exodus 26:3

The Ten Curtains for the Tabernacle · Exodus 26:1–6
Read Exodus 26

Translations

Modern
Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well.
Traditional
The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Literal
Five curtains shall be joined, each to her sister, and five curtains joined each to her sister.
Latin
Quinque cortinæ sibi jungentur mutuo, et aliæ quinque nexu simili cohærebunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well.

Notes

The cloth was 13 meters long (42 feet) and two meters wide (six feet). The width of two meters (six feet) may have been because of the largest loom available. They joined five of these six-foot strips, probably by sewing, to create one continuous piece of cloth 13 meters long (42 feet) and 10 meters wide (30 feet). When connected with loops and clasps, the two cloths formed a single unit measuring 13 meters (42 feet) by 20 meters (60 feet) (26:5–6).

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

Parallels

Exodus 36:8–13

Glossary

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

Topics

Tabernacle: Coverings of The First or Inner, Ten Curtains of Blue, Purple Joined Tabernacle: The Curtains of Tapestry of the Tabernacle