The Tabernacle (Exodus 26)

Does the tabernacle picture heaven? Does it in some ways picture a return to Eden? Does it set the stage for our great high priest, Jesus? Does it also look forward to a new heavens and a new earth? Let’s look at Exodus 26.

How was the tabernacle or tent made? How many curtains were there and what quality of material was used?

You are to construct the tabernacle itself with 10 curtains. You must make them of finely spun linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with a design of cherubim worked into them. The length of each curtain should be 42 feet, and the width of each curtain six feet; all the curtains are to have the same measurements. Five of the curtains should be joined together, and the other five curtains joined together. (Exodus 26:1-3 HCSB)

How were the curtains joined? How many loops and clasps were used?

You are to make loops of blue material along the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you are to make loops along the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. You are to make 50 loops in the one curtain, and you are to make 50 loops along the edge of the curtain that is in the second set, with the loops opposite each other. Then you are to make 50 gold clasps, and join the curtains to each other with the clasps so that the tent will be one piece. (Exodus 26:4-6 ISV)

How many curtains were there to cover the tabernacle? How wide was each curtain?

And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. 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. (Exodus 26:7-9 KJV)

How were the curtains held together? What else was to be an outer covering?

You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and join the tent together so that it will be one unit. The overlapping part that is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other to cover it. You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red and a covering of porpoise skins above. (Exodus 26:10-14 LSB)

What rigid structure would be used to hold up all this weight? How rare is it to find a board today as wide as these?

Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; that is what you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side. You shall make forty bases of silver under the twenty boards, two bases under one board for its two tenons and two bases under another board for its two tenons (Exodus 26:15-19 NASB)

Is this tent oriented in a particular direction of the compass? Was the north side similar? And what about the west end?

For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames and forty silver bases—two under each frame. Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 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. So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame. (Exodus 26:20-25 NIV)

Is cross bracing important in any structure so that it doesn’t collapse on itself?

Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west. The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other. Overlay the frames with gold, and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well. Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain. (Exodus 26:26-30 NLT)