Exodus 26.1-37

The Curtains / The Framework / The Curtain

The tabernacle, continued.

Yesterday's post concerned certain adornments for the tabernacle. This section gives a framework (pun completely intended) for the construction of the tabernacle itself, including the most holy (separate) space, the holy of holies. If you have trouble visualizing anything, check out the model on Bible Places.

Layering, intentional separation, creates a tension, intensifying the "holiness" or separateness of a place the deeper you go in. This is achieved with successive layers of curtains.

Real Life Example
You go to a baseball game. You get excited just seeing the stadium. Then you're inside it and your excitement is growing. Then you're in the nosebleed section and you're more excited. Your excitement grows as you get closer and closer to home plate. Then there you are, ecstatic, right behind home plate. You can see it all, almost as the players see it. This is the pinnacle of your baseball watching experience. And it should be. You paid an exorbitant amount to sit there. You are separate from those fans in the bleachers who paid one twentieth of what you did. You are holy - separate from all the people whose views are not as good as yours.

Take me out to the bible.

The Curtains: Exodus 26.1-14

Inner Layer
Ten curtains are to be made of fine twisted linen yarn, with cherubim worked in. The yarns should be blue, purple, and crimson (all appropriately fine royal colors). They should measure 28 cubits long by 4 cubits wide (42' by 6'). These smaller curtains are sewn together into two large curtains measuring 28 cubits by 20 cubits. The outermost smaller curtain of each set should have 50 blue loops on the edge. This way, the curtains may be linked together with 50 gold clasps.

Tent
Outside the inner layer should be a eleven curtains of goats' hair that are woven together into a tent. Each small curtain should measure 30 cubits long by four cubits wide. These should be sewn in the manner of the inner layer curtain sections; five to one section, six to the other. The sixth small curtain should double over at the front of the tent. Fifty loops should be made in the same manner as the inner layer, with fifty clasps of bronze to link the two sections. The half curtain that remains hangs over the back of the tabernacle. The cubit of fabric that remains on either side shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle.

The Covers
For weatherproofing there will be a covering of tanned rams' skin and a covering outside this of fine leather.

The Framework: Exodus 26.15-30

All these curtains have to be draped over something - the framework.

Frames, made of acacia wood, measure 10 cubits long by 1.5 cubits wide. Two pegs in each frame will fit the frames together. Each frame should be overlaid in gold.

North and South Sides
The north and south sides shall consist of a structure of 20 connected frames with 2 bases of silver under each.

West Side (Rear)
This should be comprised of six frames. Corners should be comprised of one frame. Under each of the 8 frames should 2 silver bases

The Bars
Fifteen bars of acacia wood should be overlaid with gold, each arranged parallel to the ground. The middle bar, in the middl of the frames, should extend the length of the framework. Rings of gold on the frames will hold the bars.

The Curtain: Exodus 26.31-37

The Holy of Holies
A curtains is to be made of fine twisted linen yarn, with cherubim worked in. The yarns should be blue, purple, and crimson. It is to hang on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold, which have gold hooks on them and rest on four silver bases. The curtain shall hang up on the pillars and the ark of the covenant will rest inside.

This is to be the most sacred part of the tabernacle, the most holy part in a holy place.

[Holy has the connotation of "separateness" - notice the layers of separation in this passage. Each layer builds on the previous to the most separate and most sacred object, the ark of the covenant. Atop this is the mercy seat upon which God sits (holy, e.g. separate from humanity), much like a king. Each successive layer creates a tension.]

Misc.
Outside the curtain should be the table (toward the north) and the lampstand (toward the south).

The tent should have a screen of fine twisted linen yarn, with needlework (not cherubim!). The yarns should be blue, purple, and crimson. Five pillars of acacia overlaid with gold and each with a gold hook shall rest in five bronze bases. These will hold up the screen.