Exodus 26:9

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

Translations

Modern
Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent.
Traditional
And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.
Literal
And you shall join the five curtains by themselves, and the six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the front of the face of the tent.
Latin
E quibus quinque junges seorsum, et sex sibi mutuo copulabis, ita ut sextum sagum in fronte tecti duplices.

Original

Hebrew
English
Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent.

Notes

The two goat-hair curtains measured about 14 meters (45 feet) by 20 meters (66 feet) (26:7). The extra two meters (six feet) hung evenly over the front and back of the structure.

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 36:14–19

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus 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