Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Exodus 26
Exodus 26:1“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
This verse describes the innermost curtains, woven with images of cherubim, which created a beautiful, heavenly atmosphere right at the heart of the Tabernacle.Exodus 26:30Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.
Exodus 26:33And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
The veil created a physical barrier to the Most Holy Place, powerfully illustrating the separation caused by sin and the need for a mediator to enter God's presence.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Divine Blueprint on the Mountain
After giving the Ten Commandments and other laws, God calls Moses up Mount Sinai to provide instructions for a central place of worship. The Israelites are camped at the foot of the mountain, having recently been freed from Egypt. This moment marks a pivotal shift from God leading them from afar to preparing a place to dwell right in their midst.
Building the House for God's Holy Things
In the preceding chapter, God detailed the sacred furniture that would go inside the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant. Now, in Exodus 26, He describes the structure that will house these items. The instructions move from the innermost, most beautiful layer outward, showing that God builds from the heart of holiness.
Constructing a Holy Dwelling
On Mount Sinai, God gives Moses a meticulous, step-by-step guide for building the Tabernacle. This chapter lays out the plans for the tent itself, from its multi-layered coverings to its foundational structure and the sacred veil that divides its interior. Every detail is intentional, designed to create a space worthy of the presence of a holy God.
The Beautiful Inner Curtains (Exodus 26:1-6)
1 “Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size.
3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.
4 And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set.
5 And you shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.
6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.
Commentary:
The innermost layer of the Tabernacle was a beautiful, unified covering symbolizing God's heavenly presence.
The Protective Outer Coverings (Exodus 26:7-14)
7 "And you shall make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make."
8 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size.
9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent.
10 And you shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.
11 And you shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole.
12 And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13 And the breadth of the court on the front of the house, eastward, shall be fifty cubits.
14 And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and a covering of goatskins on top.
Commentary:
Three rugged outer layers of animal skins protected the sacred and beautiful interior of the Tabernacle.
The Golden Frame and Silver Foundation (Exodus 26:15-30)
15 You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood.
16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of each board.
17 There shall be two tenons in each board, fitted to one another. So shall he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
18 And you shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole.
19 And you shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons.
20 And you shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons.
21 In the first row there shall be a curtain of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
22 There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; so shall you do for all the boards of the tabernacle.
23 There shall be two tenons in one board, set in order, that one may be joined to the other.
24 And they shall be double at the two corners of the house.
25 And there shall be eight frames with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.
26 And you shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle,
27 And five bars for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward.
28 and the middle bar in the center of the frames shall pass through from end to end.
29 And you shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold.
30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.
Commentary:
A strong, portable frame of gold-covered wood set in silver bases formed the Tabernacle's structure.
The Veil of Separation (Exodus 26:31-35)
31 And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
32 And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver.
33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.
35 And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.
Commentary:
A thick, beautiful veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the barrier between God and humanity.
The Screen for the Entrance (Exodus 26:36-37)
36 "You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework."
37 And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.
Commentary:
A colorful screen served as the single, controlled entrance into the Tabernacle tent.
Symbolism Woven into Every Detail
God's Presence with His People
The entire purpose of the Tabernacle was to be a physical location where God's presence would dwell among the Israelites. This wasn't a distant God, but one who chose to camp right in the middle of His people, making Himself accessible in a new and tangible way.
The Nature of Holiness
The layers of the Tabernacle and the veil separating the Most Holy Place teach a crucial lesson about God's character. He is utterly holy and separate from sin, and approaching Him requires reverence, purity, and following the specific way He provides.
A Picture of Heavenly Realities
The materials, colors, and cherubim imagery were not random decorations. They were meant to be a shadow or copy of heavenly things, giving the priests and the people a glimpse of the beauty and order of God's celestial throne room.
Christ as the True Tabernacle
The New Testament reveals that the Tabernacle was a foreshadowing of Jesus. He is the one in whom God's presence truly and fully dwelt on earth (John 1:14), and His death on the cross tore the veil of separation, giving all believers direct access to God (Matthew 27:51).
Lessons from the Blueprint
It shows that God is a God of order, purpose, and beauty, not chaos. The specific instructions in Exodus 26 reveal that He cares about the details of how we worship and approach Him. This encourages you to bring thoughtfulness and intention into your own spiritual life, knowing that He values your heartfelt obedience.
The veil was a constant reminder of the barrier sin creates between us and God. Understanding its purpose helps you grasp the incredible gift of access Jesus provided. When He died, the veil was torn (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the way into God's presence is now open to you, not through a priest, but directly through faith in Him.
The New Testament teaches that God's Spirit now dwells within every believer and collectively in the church (1 Corinthians 3:16). The principles of the Tabernacle - holiness, unity, and beauty - apply to you personally and to your church community. You are called to be a sacred space where the presence of God is honored and reflected to the world.
God's Holy Presence Among Us
Exodus 26 reveals God's strong desire to live among His people, providing a detailed plan for His holy dwelling. Every element, from the golden frames to the separating veil, teaches that God is both present and holy. This intricate structure was a physical promise of His closeness, but also a clear picture of the reverence required to approach Him, ultimately pointing forward to Jesus, the one who perfectly bridges the gap between heaven and earth.
What This Means for Us Today
The Tabernacle was a tangible invitation for Israel to live with God at the center of their community. Today, that invitation is made personal through Jesus, who tore the veil and made His home in our hearts. We are now called to be living tabernacles, carrying His holy presence into the world.
- In what area of your life do you need to be more intentional about honoring God's presence?
- How can you help your community or church better reflect the unity and beauty of God's dwelling place?
- What does it mean for you to have direct access to God without a physical veil?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
This New Testament chapter explains the spiritual meaning of the Tabernacle and shows how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled its symbolism as the great High Priest.
This verse states that Jesus 'dwelt' among us, using a Greek word that literally means 'tabernacled,' directly connecting Him as the ultimate dwelling place of God.
This chapter describes the construction of Solomon's Temple, the permanent and more elaborate structure that replaced the portable Tabernacle.
Theological Themes
Paul applies the concept of God's dwelling place to believers, calling the church God's temple and urging them to be holy.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think God insisted on such specific and costly materials for a tent in the desert? What does this reveal about the value He places on worship?
- The Tabernacle was designed to be portable, moving with the Israelites. How does this contrast with a permanent temple, and what might it teach us about God's presence in the different seasons of our lives?
- The veil created a barrier that only one person could cross once a year. How does knowing that Jesus tore the veil change the way you pray or approach God in your daily life?
Glossary
theological concepts
Tabernacle
The portable tent sanctuary that served as God's dwelling place among the Israelites in the wilderness.
Holy Place
The outer chamber of the Tabernacle tent, where priests performed daily rituals.
Most Holy Place
The innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, separated by a veil, which housed the Ark of the Covenant and represented God's direct presence.