FRAMEWORKS:
Exodus 26 :
The Tabernacle itself
v.1-3
The Tent Curtains
v.4-6
The Curtain Fixings
v.7-9
The Tabernacle Covering Curtains
v.10-13
The Covering Curtain Fixings & Hanging
v.14
A Further Protective Covering
v.15–29
The Framework of the Tabernacle
v.30-33
The Cross Wall
v.34,35
Locations for the ark, table & lampstand
v.36,37
The Entrance
v.1-3
The Tent Curtains
v.1
“Make
the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted
linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into
them by a skilled worker.
v.2
All
the curtains are to be the same size— 42
feet long
and 6 feet wide, (about 13m x 1.8m)
v.3
Join
five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other
five.
[Notes:
Ten curtains joined in two sets of five, which appear
to have gone crossways over the roof and down the sides to within
eighteen inches of the ground. The were highly decorative with
pictures of angels woven into them.
v.4-6
The Curtain Fixings
v.4
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.
v.5
Make
fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain
of the other set, with the loops opposite each other.
v.6
Then
make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together
so that the tabernacle is a unit.
[Notes:
The fifty loops along the end edges of the 5 x 6 = 30
width, suggests this was to join them, making a total depth of
60ft suggesting covering the roof and the back only (45+15)]
v.7-9
The Tabernacle Covering Curtains
v.7
“Make
curtains of goat hair for the tent over the
tabernacle— eleven altogether.
v.8
All
eleven curtains are to be the same size—
about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide (13.5m
x 1.8m ]
v.9
Join
five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into
another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the
tent.
[Notes:
Then, over the fine curtains was a tougher protective
layer curtain which was three feet longer than the inner curtains,
enabling them to reach the floor either side.. Being eleven meant
one hung over the front, three feet when folded double.]
v.10-13
The Covering Curtain Fixings & Hanging
v.10
Make
fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also
along the edge of the end curtain in the other set.
v.11
Then
make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the
tent together as a unit.
v.12
As
for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain
that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle.
v.13
The
tent curtains will be about
18 inches (45cm)
longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of
the tabernacle so as to cover it.
[Notes:
The same means of joining together the 5 and now 6 sets.
These longer curtains thus protected the shorter curtains.
v.14
A Further Protective Covering
v.14
Make
for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red,
and over that a covering of the other durable leather.
[Notes:
The first two layers of curtain are now protected by
first a layer of skins and then a later of leather to keep the
rain or sun off.]
v.15–29
The Framework of the Tabernacle
v.15
“Make
upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.
v.16
Each
frame is to be about
15 feet long and 2.25 feet wide
(4.5m x 68cm) [i.e.
these vertical frames would make the tabernacle about fifteen
feet high]
v.17
with
two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames
of the tabernacle in this way.
v.18
Make
twenty frames for the south side
of the tabernacle [i.e.
20 x 2.5 = 45 feet total wall length]
v.19
and
make forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame,
one under each projection.
v.20
For
the other side, the north side of the tabernacle,
make twenty frames
v.21 and
forty silver bases—two under each frame.
v.22
Make
six frames for the far end , that is, the west
end of the tabernacle,
v.23
and
make two frames for the corners at the far end.
v.24
At
these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the
way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like
that.
v.25
So
there will be eight frames and sixteen silver
bases—two under each frame. [which
would appear to be a total of about eighteen feet wide]
v.26
“Also
make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side
of the tabernacle,
v.27
five
for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west,
at the far end of the tabernacle.
v.28
The
center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of
the frames.
v.29
Overlay
the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars.
Also overlay the crossbars with gold. [
The five crossbars on all four sides seem to run the full
length of each wall in order to maintain straightness and enable
fixing, presumably one at the top of the frame, one at the bottom,
one in the centre and the other two presumably equally spaced
between the others.]
[Notes:
The 15 feet long frames might be better described fifteen
feet tall or high, as they would go together vertically to make
a forty-five feet long structure, fifteen feet high and tall.
Being frames two and a half feet wide made them portable and easily
put together. Note that the forty-five feet lengths are designated
the north and south walls.
The west end is the far end [making the back
wall of the Most Holy Place] and there is no mention of the east
wall, which will be the front and will [see v.35 & 36 later]
comprise five posts and a single curtain.]
v.30-33
The Cross Wall
v.30
“Set
up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.
v.31
“Make
a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted
linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker.
v.32
Hang
it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with
gold and standing on four silver bases.
v.33
Hang
the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant
law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the
Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
[Notes:
Note again another reference to the plan given to Moses
on the mountain. The cross wall separates off the two areas.]
v.34,35
Locations for the ark, table & lampstand
v.34
Put
the atonement cover on the ark
of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.
v.35 Place
the table outside the curtain [of
the Most Holy Place] on
the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand
opposite it on the south side.
[Notes:
The ark will be located in the Most Holy Place, the
table on the right (north) wall (looking in from the front) and
the lampstand on the opposite (south) wall, both in the Holy Place.]
v.36,37
The Entrance
v.36
“For
the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet
yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.
v.37
Make
gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid
with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.
[Notes:
The entrance is the front wall and simply comprises
five posts and a single hanging curtain. Presumably the outer
(say quarter) part of the curtain could be unclipped at the top
to allow it to be folded back to form a door opening.]
Continue to Chapter 27