Exodus 36:8-38

The Tabernacle Constructed

The skilled workers construct the tabernacle structure and veil according to the Lord’s commanded design.

Exodus 36:8-38 (BSB)

8 All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

9 Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size.

10 And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well.

11 He made loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and also on the end curtain in the second set.

12 He made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops lined up opposite one another.

13 He also made fifty gold clasps to join the curtains together, so that the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all.

15 Each of the eleven curtains was the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.

16 He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another.

17 He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set.

18 He also made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together as a unit.

19 Additionally, he made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.

20 Next, he constructed upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

22 Two tenons were connected to each other for each frame. He made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.

23 He constructed twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle,

24 with forty silver bases to put under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.

25 For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, he made twenty frames

26 and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame.

27 He made six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side,

28 and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle,

29 coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. He made both corners in this way.

30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

31 He also made five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle,

32 five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west.

33 He made the central crossbar to run through the center of the frames, from one end to the other.

34 And he overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. He also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

35 Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

36 He also made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold, along with gold hooks; and he cast four silver bases for the posts.

37 For the entrance to the tent, he made a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen,

38 together with five posts and their hooks. He overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold, and their five bases were bronze.

What is the big idea of Exodus 36:8-38?

The skilled workers construct the tabernacle structure and veil according to the LORD’s commanded design.

How does Exodus 36:8-38 point to Christ?

Exodus 36:8-38 shows the dwelling place being constructed according to God’s pattern, with beauty and boundaries surrounding the place of his presence. Yet the tabernacle remains a shadow. The gospel reveals Christ as the true dwelling of God with humanity, whose flesh is the greater temple and whose death opens access through the torn veil for all who come by faith.

How does Exodus 36:8-38 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?

This passage is not a direct life-of-Jesus text. Its canonical trajectory is sanctuary-shaped: the tabernacle embodies God's dwelling among His redeemed people, and the fuller canon moves from tabernacle presence to the incarnate Son who dwells among us. This correlation should be handled through the biblical theme of God dwelling with His people, not by allegorizing every clasp, frame, or fabric color.

Authorial Intent

To narrate the skilled making of the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, frames, crossbars, veil, and entrance curtain according to the LORD’s earlier instructions, showing the dwelling structure taking form through obedient craftsmanship.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Why does Exodus devote so much space to the actual construction details?
  2. How does the construction report show obedience to the earlier instructions in Exodus 26?
  3. What do the layered curtains and coverings teach about God’s dwelling among Israel?
  4. Why are cherubim woven into the inner curtains and veil?
  5. How does the veil teach both nearness and restricted access?
  6. How does Christ fulfill and surpass the tabernacle structure and veil?
  7. Where might we need to recover reverence for detailed obedience in the Lord’s work?

Literary Context

This unit follows the calling and equipping of Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled workers, along with the overflowing generosity of the people. Exodus 36:8-38 is the construction counterpart to the instructions of Exodus 26:1-37. The narrative now shows Israel doing what the LORD commanded, moving from plan to implementation.

Historical Context

After the people bring more than enough materials and Moses restrains further giving, the skilled workers begin building the tabernacle itself. This passage corresponds to the earlier instructions in Exodus 26, now showing execution after covenant renewal.

Chapter: Exodus 36

More Than Enough: The Construction of the Tabernacle Begins

The LORD’s restored people give more than enough, and Spirit-equipped craftsmen begin building the tabernacle according to the LORD’s pattern, forming a dwelling marked by beauty, order, holiness, and guarded access.