The Book Of Exodus
Exodus 3:14 "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say
unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."
CHAPTER 26:
This chapter goes into greater detail about the specific framework and materials for the structure of the tabernacle itself. Verses 1-14: The curtains. (Exodus 36:8) These verses explain the exact composition and method of assembly for the curtains that will cover the tabernacle. (See illustration above.) According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary, the ceiling is made of four layers: the first is finely spun linen; the second is woven goat’s hair; the third is ram skins dyed red; and the fourth is another kind of leather, possibly porpoise or badger skin or some kind of additional leather-type product that might have been native to Egypt. All of these layers are to be assembled in a specific order and in a specific way so as to not only block out all external light, but also to provide protection and shelter from the elements, as well as possibly soundproofing the inside of the tabernacle. As noted in chapter 25, the images of cherubims are to be woven into the curtains. (v.1) The word “selvedge” in verse 4 is translated from the Hebrew word “qâtsâh” which means “end” or “extremity”. Two sets of curtains are to be made, five in each set, and each of the five is connected at their “…uttermost edge…” to form one large piece. Each of the two larger pieces, in turn, are connected to one another via fifty “taches”, or “clasps”, of gold that are inserted into loops at the top of each curtain. (v.5-6) The second layer that is goat’s hair will have a total of eleven curtains. The same instructions as the first layer are to be used again here, with the extra curtain used “…in the forefront of the tabernacle…” (v.9) as well as hanging “…over the backside of the tabernacle…”. (v.12) All four layers of cloth and leather will hang far enough over the sides of the tabernacle as to almost be touching the ground. (v.13) Verses 15 – 30: The next set of instructions are for the boards that will form the framework of the walls of the tabernacle itself. (Exodus 36:20) The way that the “tenons”, or “projections”, at the ends of each board as well as the “…sockets of silver…” are described in verses 17 and 19 indicates that the entire structure can be easily disassembled and reassembled every time it’s necessary to move camp. According to the Moody Bible Commentary, the whole framework most likely resembles a “…trellis-like structure…” of several interlocking frames that are joined at the top by the bars of shittim wood described in verses 26-29. As with everything else within the tabernacle, the boards, bars and the rings for the bars are overlayed with gold. (v.29) Verses 31-34: The tabernacle is divided into two rooms: “…the holy place and the most holy.” (v.33) The veil that separates the “most holy”, a.k.a. the holy of holies, from the holy place is also to be made of “…fine twined linen of cunning work…”, same as the first layer of the ceiling curtains, as well as the veil for the door of the tabernacle itself. (v.1) (Exodus 27:21, 36:35, Leviticus 16:2, 2 Chronicles 3:14, Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 9:3, 10:20) According to the Moody Bible Commentators, this veil was designed to “…‘hide’ God even though He is ‘near’. Although He was ‘with them,’ He was still the 'transcendent God.' In the temple of Herod’s day this inner curtain was no mere linen veil, yet Matthew 27:51 records that upon Jesus’ death ‘the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom’…” Only the high priest is allowed to enter the holy of holies, and even then only once a year on the Day of Atonement, as mentioned in the previous chapter. The ark of the covenant with its covering of the mercy seat is placed in this chamber which God refers to as “…the most holy place.” (v.34) Verses 35-37: The holy place is the larger of the two rooms, and the only pieces of furniture here are the table of the shewbread, the lampstand, and the altar of incense. (The instructions for building the altar are given in chapter 27.) The curtain that hangs over the entrance to the tabernacle is also to be made of “…blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.” (v.36) Both this veil and that which separates the holy place from the holy of holies are fastened and hung with the solid gold clasps to the pillars of shittim wood overlayed with gold that are attached to the skeletal framework described in verses 15-30. CHAPTER 27: As with the ark of the covenant, the table of shewbread, and the lampstand, God’s instruction for the altar of burnt offering is precise and specific. Verses 1-8: The altar, made of shittim wood, is a perfect square, 7 ½ feet long by 7 ½ feet wide and 4 ½ feet tall. (v.1) (Exodus 38:1) (That’s assuming the common measurement translation of 1 cubit=18 inches.) Each corner will have a horn, and the whole altar is be covered with brass. (v.2) The inside of the altar is hollow (v.8) so that it may serve as a storage place for the dishes and utensils, also made of brass (v.19), that will be used in the daily sacrifices as well as the burning of incense before the Lord. (v.3) Like the altar of incense, the ark of the covenant, and the table of shewbread, the altar will be transported via staves of shittim wood overlayed with brass (v.6-7) that are inserted into two rings, also made of brass, that are on either side of the altar. (v.4) According to the Moody Bible Commentary, “…the altar was the first object a worshiper would see on entering the court; it was a powerful reminder that sin separates one from God and that sin means death. It spoke of the absolute necessity for atonement if one were to approach the Lord. ‘The slaughter of animals on this altar was a very vivid reminder to Israel that sin indeed requires a high price. It was not a pleasant thing to see an innocent animal slaughtered and burned, but then sin is an ugly thing and the sacrifice here, as well as at Calvary, should be a vivid reminder to everyone of the hideousness of sin and its price’ (Davis, Moses and the Gods, 272).” Verses 9-18: These pertain to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle. The length of it, which is the north and south sides, is 150 feet, and the breadth of it, which is the east and west sides, is roughly half that at 75 feet. The cloth hangings for the walls of the courtyard are of the same finely woven linen as the curtains within the tabernacle. (v.9) The pillars from which the curtains will hang are made of bronze, and the cloth is attached to each via silver hooks. The height of the walls are five cubits, or roughly 7 ½ feet. (v.18) The cloth forming the gate of the entrance is the same colors as the curtains within the tabernacle – blue, purple, and scarlet. (v.16) Verses 19-21: The chapter closes with a reminder from God that only pure olive oil is to be used for lighting the lampstand, and that the lamp is to be burning “…from evening to morning before the Lord…”. (v.21) (Exodus 30:8, 35:8, 28, 1 Samuel 3:3, 2 Chronicles 13:11)
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