Exodus 26:1-14
The Lord commands the tabernacle curtains and coverings so His dwelling place will be beautifully formed, carefully joined, and properly covered according to His design.
1 “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. You shall make them with the work of a skillful workman.
2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
3 Five curtains shall be coupled together to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another.
4 You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling, and you shall do likewise on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second coupling.
5 You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that is in the second coupling. The loops shall be opposite one another.
6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains to one another with the clasps. The tabernacle shall be a unit.
7 “You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure.
9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shall double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent.
10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outermost in the coupling, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which is outermost in the second coupling.
11 You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
12 The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
13 The cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
14 You shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
The LORD commands the tabernacle curtains and coverings so his dwelling place will be beautifully formed, carefully joined, and properly covered according to his design.
To give the LORD’s instructions for the tabernacle’s inner curtains and outer coverings, establishing the holy dwelling as a precisely ordered, portable sanctuary made according to divine design.
This unit follows the instructions for the ark, table, and lampstand in Exodus 25 and begins the construction directions for the tabernacle structure itself. The movement is from sacred furnishings to the dwelling space that will house them. Exodus 26:1-14 establishes the layered fabric architecture before the later verses describe frames, veil, screen, and placement.
After the LORD commands the ark, table, and lampstand, he turns to the tabernacle structure itself. Israel is receiving the sanctuary pattern while Moses is on Sinai, before the tabernacle will later be built through Spirit-enabled craftsmanship and willing contributions.
The Tabernacle Structure: Curtains, Coverings, Frames, Veil, and Holy Arrangement
The LORD’s dwelling among Israel is beautiful, protected, ordered, and holy, with every curtain, frame, veil, and furnishing arranged according to His revealed pattern.