Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 26

The tabernacle itself (not including the courtyard around it) was not very large. It was about 4.6 meters (15 feet) wide and 13.7 meters (45 feet) long.

The main structure stood on 48 vertical frames. Each frame was 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 68.6 centimeters (27 inches) wide (26:16). The frames were made of acacia wood and covered with gold (26:15, 29).

Workers joined the frames together with horizontal crossbars. These bars formed a three-sided rectangle with one open end (26:26–28).

Two large linen curtains covered the structure. Each large curtain was made from five smaller curtains joined together. The two large curtains were then connected into one long covering (26:1–6).

This linen covering stretched across the top of the frame. It hung down along the sides and the back. It covered both the walls and the roof.

Over the linen curtain, workers placed another curtain made of goat hair. It was built in the same way. This curtain was 0.9 meters (3 feet) wider and 1.8 meters (6 feet) longer than the linen curtain (26:7–13). Because it was larger, it hung lower on every side.

Above these two curtains were two protective layers. One layer was made from tanned ram skins. The other was made from fine leather (26:14). These outer coverings protected the tabernacle from weather and damage.

Inside the tabernacle, another curtain divided the space into two parts. This curtain was beautifully embroidered. It hung across the width of the structure on four posts made of acacia wood (26:31–33). This created two rooms. The first room was called the Holy Place. The second room was called the Most Holy Place.

The cloth was 13 meters long (42 feet) and two meters wide (six feet). The width of two meters (six feet) may have been because of the largest loom available. They joined five of these six-foot strips, probably by sewing, to create one continuous piece of cloth 13 meters long (42 feet) and 10 meters wide (30 feet). When connected with loops and clasps, the two cloths formed a single unit measuring 13 meters (42 feet) by 20 meters (60 feet) (26:5–6).

The two goat-hair curtains measured about 14 meters (45 feet) by 20 meters (66 feet) (26:7). The extra two meters (six feet) hung evenly over the front and back of the structure.

acacia wood: This is a hard wood found in the region of Sinai.

Each base was under the place where the frames joined. The right peg of one frame and the left peg of the next frame fit into one base. Along with the crossbars, this setup helped stabilize the entire structure (26:27–28).

Blue, purple, and scarlet are rich colors suitable for the palace of God the king. God may have chosen these dyes because they were easy to find in the desert.

The Most Holy Place was the earthly dwelling of God. It held the ark of the covenant, where the Lord gave commands to the people of Israel (25:22). The Most Holy Place was about 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide, 4.5 meters (15 feet) deep, and 4.5 meters (15 feet) high.

The curtain at the eastern end was like the one between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The posts had bronze bases, not silver ones.