The Tabernacle(A)

26 “Make the tabernacle(B) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim(C) woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same size(D)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.(E)

“Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size(F)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit.(G) 12 As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit[c] longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a covering(H) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[d](I)

15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[e] 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases(J) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases(K)—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 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. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the tabernacle(L) according to the plan(M) shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain(N) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim(O) woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.(P) 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.(Q) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(R) 34 Put the atonement cover(S) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table(T) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand(U) opposite it on the south side.

36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain(V) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.(W) 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

The Altar of Burnt Offering(X)

27 “Build an altar(Y) of acacia wood, three cubits[f] high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.[g] Make a horn(Z) at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls,(AA) meat forks and firepans.(AB) Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.(AC) The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.(AD) Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown(AE) on the mountain.

The Courtyard(AF)

“Make a courtyard(AG) for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits[h] long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen, 10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 11 The north side shall also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

12 “The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits[i] wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases. 13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide. 14 Curtains fifteen cubits[j] long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.

16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain(AH) twenty cubits[k] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer(AI)—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide,[l] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits[m] high, and with bronze bases. 19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.

Oil for the Lampstand(AJ)

20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil(AK) of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. 21 In the tent of meeting,(AL) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,(AM) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps(AN) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance(AO) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:2 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  2. Exodus 26:8 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  3. Exodus 26:13 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  4. Exodus 26:14 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 25:5)
  5. Exodus 26:16 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide
  6. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 4 1/2 feet or about 1.4 meters
  7. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters long and wide
  8. Exodus 27:9 That is, about 150 feet or about 45 meters; also in verse 11
  9. Exodus 27:12 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters; also in verse 13
  10. Exodus 27:14 That is, about 23 feet or about 6.8 meters; also in verse 15
  11. Exodus 27:16 That is, about 30 feet or about 9 meters
  12. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 150 feet long and 75 feet wide or about 45 meters long and 23 meters wide
  13. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters

The Tabernacle(A)

26 “Moreover (B)you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. And every one of the curtains shall have [a]the same measurements. Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. And you shall make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set. Fifty loops you shall make in the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is on the end of the second set, that the loops may be clasped to one another. And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps, so that it may be one tabernacle.

(C)“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain of the second set. 11 And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. 12 The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side, of what remains of 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 (D)“You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.

15 “And for the tabernacle you shall (E)make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board. 17 Two [b]tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. 19 You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. 20 And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards 21 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. 22 For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. 23 And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. 24 They shall be [c]coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. 25 So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver—sixteen sockets—two sockets under each of the boards.

26 “And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward. 28 The (F)middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold. 30 And you shall raise up the tabernacle (G)according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.

31 (H)“You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. 32 You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring (I)the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between (J)the holy place and the Most Holy. 34 (K)You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. 35 (L)You shall set the table outside the veil, and (M)the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

36 (N)“You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. 37 And you shall make for the screen (O)five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.

The Altar of Burnt Offering(P)

27 “You shall make (Q)an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar shall be square—and its height shall be three cubits. You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze. Also you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels and its basins and its forks and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. You shall make a grate for it, a network of bronze; and on the network you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. You shall put it under the rim of the altar beneath, that the network may be midway up the altar. And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. The poles shall be put in the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar to bear it. You shall make it hollow with boards; (R)as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it.

The Court of the Tabernacle(S)

(T)“You shall also make the court of the tabernacle. For the south side there shall be hangings for the court made of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long for one side. 10 And its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets shall be bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be silver. 11 Likewise along the length of the north side there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, with its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of bronze, and the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver.

12 “And along the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits, with their ten pillars and their ten sockets. 13 The width of the court on the east side shall be fifty cubits. 14 The hangings on one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets. 15 And on the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets.

16 “For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. It shall have four pillars and four sockets. 17 All the pillars around the court shall have bands of silver; their (U)hooks shall be of silver and their sockets of bronze. 18 The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits, made of fine woven linen, and its sockets of bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle for all its service, all its pegs, and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.

The Care of the Lampstand(V)

20 “And (W)you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to [d]burn continually. 21 In the tabernacle of meeting, (X)outside the veil which is before the Testimony, (Y)Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. (Z)It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:2 Lit. one measure
  2. Exodus 26:17 Projections for joining, lit. hands
  3. Exodus 26:24 Lit. doubled
  4. Exodus 27:20 Lit. ascend

Curtains of Linen

26 (A)Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and [a]violet, purple, and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. The length of each curtain shall be [b]twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have [c]the same measurements. Five curtains shall be [d]joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be [e]joined to one another. You shall make loops of violet on the edge of the [f]outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you shall make them on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second [g]set. You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops on the [h]edge of the curtain that is in the second [i]set; the loops shall be opposite each other. You shall also make fifty clasps of gold, and [j]join the curtains to one another with the clasps so that the [k]tabernacle will be a unit.

Curtains of Goats’ Hair

“Then (B)you shall make curtains of goats’ hair as a tent over the tabernacle; you shall make eleven curtains in all. The length of each curtain shall be [l]thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the eleven curtains shall have [m]the same measurements. You shall [n]join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain [o]at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the [p]curtain that is outermost in the first [q]set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second [r]set.

11 “You shall also make fifty clasps of [s]bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and [t]join the tent together so that it will be [u]a unit. 12 The [v]overhanging part that is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The [w]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 hang over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other, to cover it. 14 And (C)you shall make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins [x]dyed red and a covering of [y]fine leather above.

Boards and Bases

15 “Then you shall make (D)the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 16 [z]Ten cubits shall be the length of [aa]each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. 17 There shall be two tenons for each board, [ab]fitted to one another; that is what you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards [ac]for the south side. 19 You shall make forty (E)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; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, 21 and their forty bases of silver; two bases under one board and two bases under another board. 22 For the [ad]back of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards. 23 You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the [ae]back. 24 They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete [af]to its top [ag]to the first ring; this is how it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight boards with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one board and two bases under another board.

26 “Then you shall make (F)bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the [ah]other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle for the [ai]back side to the west. 28 The middle bar in the [aj]center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. 29 And you shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold as holders for the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle (G)according to its plan which you have been shown on the mountain.

The Veil and Curtain

31 “You shall also make (H)a veil of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. 32 Then you shall [ak]hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks also of gold, on four bases of silver. 33 You shall [al]hang up the veil under the clasps, and bring in (I)the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall [am]serve as a partition for you (J)between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. 34 (K)You shall put the [an]atoning cover on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And (L)you shall set the table outside the veil, and the (M)lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

36 (N)You shall also make a curtain for the doorway of the tent of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a [ao]weaver. 37 And (O)you shall make five pillars of acacia for the curtain and overlay them with gold, their hooks also of gold; and you shall cast five bases of [ap]bronze for them.

The Bronze Altar

27 “Now you shall make (P)the altar of acacia wood, [aq]five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be [ar]three cubits. You shall make (Q)its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with [as]bronze. And you shall make its pails for removing its ashes, and its shovels, its basins, its forks, and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. You shall also make for it a grating, a netting of bronze, and on the netting you shall make four bronze rings [at]at its four corners. And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar, so that the netting will reach halfway up the altar. You shall also make carrying poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood and overlay them with bronze. Its poles shall be inserted into the rings, so that the poles will be on the two sides of the altar (R)when it is carried. You shall make it hollow with planks; (S)as it was shown to you on the mountain, so they shall make it.

Courtyard of the Tabernacle

“Now you shall make (T)the courtyard of the [au]tabernacle. [av]On the south side there shall be hangings for the courtyard of fine twisted linen, a [aw]hundred cubits long for one side; 10 and its pillars shall be twenty, with their twenty bases of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their [ax]bands shall be of silver. 11 Likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings a [ay]hundred cubits long, and its twenty pillars with their twenty bases of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver. 12 For the width of the courtyard on the west side shall be hangings of [az]fifty cubits, with their ten pillars and their ten bases. 13 The width of the courtyard on the [ba]east side shall be fifty cubits. 14 The hangings for the one [bb]side of the gate shall be [bc]fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases. 15 And for the [bd]other [be]side there shall be hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases. 16 And for the gate of the courtyard there shall be a curtain of [bf]twenty cubits, of [bg]violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a [bh]weaver, with their four pillars and their four bases. 17 All the pillars around the courtyard shall be joined together with silver, with their hooks of silver and their bases of bronze. 18 The length of the courtyard shall be a [bi]hundred cubits, and the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits of fine twisted linen, and their bases of bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle used in all its service, and all its pegs, and all the pegs of the courtyard, shall be of bronze.

20 “And you shall command the sons of Israel that they bring you (U)clear oil of beaten olives for the [bj]light, to make a lamp [bk]burn continually. 21 In the (V)tent of meeting, outside (W)the veil which is before the testimony, (X)Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the Lord; it shall be a permanent (Y)statute throughout their generations [bl]for the sons of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:1 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color, and so throughout the ch
  2. Exodus 26:2 About 42 ft. long and 6 ft. wide or 13 m and 1.8 m
  3. Exodus 26:2 Lit one measure
  4. Exodus 26:3 Or coupled
  5. Exodus 26:3 Or coupled
  6. Exodus 26:4 Lit one curtain from the end in the coupling
  7. Exodus 26:4 Lit coupling
  8. Exodus 26:5 Lit end
  9. Exodus 26:5 Lit coupling
  10. Exodus 26:6 Or couple
  11. Exodus 26:6 Or dwelling place, and so throughout the ch
  12. Exodus 26:8 About 45 ft. long and 6 ft. wide or 13.5 m and 1.8 m
  13. Exodus 26:8 Lit one measure
  14. Exodus 26:9 Or couple
  15. Exodus 26:9 Lit toward the front of the face of the tent
  16. Exodus 26:10 Lit one curtain
  17. Exodus 26:10 Lit coupling
  18. Exodus 26:10 Lit coupling
  19. Exodus 26:11 Or copper
  20. Exodus 26:11 Or couple
  21. Exodus 26:11 Lit one
  22. Exodus 26:12 Lit excess
  23. Exodus 26:13 About 18 in. or about 45 cm
  24. Exodus 26:14 Or tanned
  25. Exodus 26:14 Meaning of the Heb uncertain
  26. Exodus 26:16 About 15 ft. long and 2.2 ft. wide or 4.6 m and 68 cm
  27. Exodus 26:16 Lit the
  28. Exodus 26:17 Lit bound
  29. Exodus 26:18 Lit toward the side of the Negev to the south
  30. Exodus 26:22 Lit far parts
  31. Exodus 26:23 Lit far parts
  32. Exodus 26:24 Or at its head
  33. Exodus 26:24 Or with reference to
  34. Exodus 26:27 Lit second
  35. Exodus 26:27 Lit far parts
  36. Exodus 26:28 Lit midst
  37. Exodus 26:32 Lit put
  38. Exodus 26:33 Lit put
  39. Exodus 26:33 Lit separate for you between
  40. Exodus 26:34 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  41. Exodus 26:36 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
  42. Exodus 26:37 Or copper
  43. Exodus 27:1 About 7.5 ft. or 2.3 m
  44. Exodus 27:1 About 4.5 ft. or 1.4 m
  45. Exodus 27:2 Or copper, and so for bronze throughout the ch
  46. Exodus 27:4 Lit on
  47. Exodus 27:9 Or dwelling place
  48. Exodus 27:9 Lit For the side of the Negev to the south
  49. Exodus 27:9 About 150 ft. or 46 m
  50. Exodus 27:10 Or rings
  51. Exodus 27:11 About 150 ft. or 46 m
  52. Exodus 27:12 About 75 ft. or 23 m
  53. Exodus 27:13 Lit east side eastward
  54. Exodus 27:14 Lit shoulder
  55. Exodus 27:14 About 23 ft. or 6.8 m
  56. Exodus 27:15 Lit second
  57. Exodus 27:15 Lit shoulder
  58. Exodus 27:16 About 30 ft. or 9 m
  59. Exodus 27:16 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color
  60. Exodus 27:16 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
  61. Exodus 27:18 About 150 ft. long, 75 ft. wide, and 7.5 ft. high or about 46 m, 23 m, and 2.3 m
  62. Exodus 27:20 Or luminary
  63. Exodus 27:20 Lit ascend
  64. Exodus 27:21 Lit from

Plans for the Tabernacle

26 “Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide.[a] Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain. Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set. The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain. Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece.

“Make eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle. These eleven curtains must all be exactly the same size—45 feet long and 6 feet wide.[b] Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and join the other six into a second long curtain. Allow 3 feet of material from the second set of curtains to hang over the front[c] of the sacred tent. 10 Make fifty loops for one edge of each large curtain. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps, and fasten the loops of the long curtains with the clasps. In this way, the tent covering will be made of one continuous piece. 12 The remaining 3 feet[d] of this tent covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle. 13 Allow 18 inches[e] of remaining material to hang down over each side, so the Tabernacle is completely covered. 14 Complete the tent covering with a protective layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather.

15 “For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood. 16 Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide,[f] 17 with two pegs under each frame. Make all the frames identical. 18 Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle. 19 Also make forty silver bases—two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases. 20 For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames, 21 with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the rear—the west side of the Tabernacle— 23 along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle. 24 These corner frames will be matched at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single corner unit. Make both of these corner units the same way. 25 So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame.

26 “Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle 27 and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west. 28 The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other. 29 Overlay the frames with gold, and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well.

30 “Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.

31 “For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. 32 Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases. 33 Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant[g] in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

34 “Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side.

36 “Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 37 Craft five posts from acacia wood. Overlay them with gold, and hang the curtain from them with gold hooks. Cast five bronze bases for the posts.

Plans for the Altar of Burnt Offering

27 “Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7 1⁄2 feet wide, 7 1⁄2 feet long, and 4 1⁄2 feet high.[h] Make horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar with bronze. Make ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans, all of bronze. Make a bronze grating for it, and attach four bronze rings at its four corners. Install the grating halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge. For carrying the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the altar. The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Build it just as you were shown on the mountain.

Plans for the Courtyard

“Then make the courtyard for the Tabernacle, enclosed with curtains made of finely woven linen. On the south side, make the curtains 150 feet long.[i] 10 They will be held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 11 Make the curtains the same on the north side—150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 12 The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long,[j] supported by ten posts set into ten bases. 13 The east end of the courtyard, the front, will also be 75 feet long. 14 The courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22 1⁄2 feet long,[k] supported by three posts set into three bases. 15 The curtain on the left side will also be 22 1⁄2 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.

16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long.[l] Make it from finely woven linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Support it with four posts, each securely set in its own base. 17 All the posts around the courtyard must have silver rings and hooks and bronze bases. 18 So the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7 1⁄2 feet high,[m] made from finely woven linen. The bases for the posts will be made of bronze.

19 “All the articles used in the rituals of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze.

Light for the Tabernacle

20 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. 21 The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant.[n] Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation.

Footnotes

  1. 26:2 Hebrew 28 cubits [12.9 meters] long and 4 cubits [1.8 meters] wide.
  2. 26:8 Hebrew 30 cubits [13.8 meters] long and 4 cubits [1.8 meters] wide.
  3. 26:9 Hebrew Double over the sixth sheet at the front.
  4. 26:12 Hebrew The half sheet that is left over.
  5. 26:13 Hebrew 1 cubit [46 centimeters].
  6. 26:16 Hebrew 10 cubits [4.6 meters] high and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide.
  7. 26:33 Or Ark of the Testimony; also in 26:34.
  8. 27:1 Hebrew 5 cubits [2.3 meters] wide, 5 cubits long, a square, and 3 cubits [1.4 meters] high.
  9. 27:9 Hebrew 100 cubits [46 meters]; also in 27:11.
  10. 27:12 Hebrew 50 cubits [23 meters]; also in 27:13.
  11. 27:14 Hebrew 15 cubits [6.9 meters]; also in 27:15.
  12. 27:16 Hebrew 20 cubits [9.2 meters].
  13. 27:18 Hebrew 100 cubits [46 meters] long and 50 by 50 [23 meters] wide and 5 cubits [2.3 meters] high.
  14. 27:21 Hebrew in the Tent of Meeting, outside the inner curtain that is in front of the Testimony. See note on 25:16.

The Dwelling

26 1-6 “Make The Dwelling itself from ten panels of tapestry woven from fine twisted linen, blue and purple and scarlet material, with an angel-cherubim design. A skilled craftsman should do it. The panels of tapestry are each to be forty-six feet long and six feet wide. Join five of the panels together, and then the other five together. Make loops of blue along the edge of the outside panel of the first set and the same on the outside panel of the second set. Make fifty loops on each panel. Then make fifty gold clasps and join the tapestries together so that The Dwelling is one whole.

7-11 “Next make tapestries of goat hair for a tent that will cover The Dwelling. Make eleven panels of these tapestries. The length of each panel will be forty-five feet long and six feet wide. Join five of the panels together, and then the other six. Fold the sixth panel double at the front of the tent. Now make fifty loops along the edge of the end panel and fifty loops along the edge of the joining panel. Make fifty clasps of bronze and connect the clasps with the loops, bringing the tent together.

12-14 “Hang half of the overlap of the tapestry panels over the rear of The Dwelling. The eighteen inches of overlap on either side will cover the sides of the tent. Finally, make a covering for the tapestries of tanned rams’ skins dyed red and over that a covering of dolphin skins.

15-25 “Frame The Dwelling with planks of acacia wood, each section of frame fifteen feet long and two and one-quarter feet wide, with two pegs for securing them. Make all the frames identical: twenty frames for the south side with forty silver sockets to receive the two pegs from each of the twenty frames; the same construction on the north side of The Dwelling; for the rear of The Dwelling, which faces west, make six frames with two additional frames for the rear corners. Both of the two corner frames need to be double in thickness from top to bottom and fit into a single ring—eight frames altogether with sixteen sockets of silver, two under each frame.

26-30 “Now make crossbars of acacia wood, five for the frames on one side of The Dwelling, five for the other side, and five for the back side facing west. The center crossbar runs from end to end halfway up the frames. Cover the frames with a veneer of gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. And cover the crossbars with a veneer of gold. Then put The Dwelling together, following the design you were shown on the mountain.

31-35 “Make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Have a design of angel-cherubim woven into it by a skilled craftsman. Fasten it with gold hooks to four posts of acacia wood covered with a veneer of gold, set on four silver bases. After hanging the curtain from the clasps, bring the Chest of The Testimony in behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Holy-of-Holies. Now place the Atonement-Cover lid on the Chest of The Testimony in the Holy-of-Holies. Place the Table and the Lampstand outside the curtain, the Lampstand on the south side of The Dwelling and the Table opposite it on the north side.

36-37 “Make a screen for the door of the tent. Weave it from blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Frame the weaving with five poles of acacia wood covered with a veneer of gold and make gold hooks to hang the weaving. Cast five bronze bases for the poles.”

The Altar

27 1-8 “Make an Altar of acacia wood. Make it seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high. Make horns at each of the four corners. The horns are to be of one piece with the Altar and covered with a veneer of bronze. Make buckets for removing the ashes, along with shovels, basins, forks, and fire pans. Make all these utensils from bronze. Make a grate of bronze mesh and attach bronze rings at each of the four corners. Put the grate under the ledge of the Altar at the halfway point of the Altar. Make acacia wood poles for the Altar and cover them with a veneer of bronze. Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the Altar for carrying. Use boards to make the Altar, keeping the interior hollow.

The Courtyard

9-11 “Make a Courtyard for The Dwelling. The south side is to be 150 feet long. The hangings for the Courtyard are to be woven from fine twisted linen, with their twenty posts, twenty bronze bases, and fastening hooks and bands of silver. The north side is to be exactly the same.

12-19 “For the west end of the Courtyard you will need seventy-five feet of hangings with their ten posts and bases. Across the seventy-five feet at the front, or east end, you will need twenty-two and a half feet of hangings, with their three posts and bases on one side and the same for the other side. At the door of the Courtyard make a screen thirty feet long woven from blue, purple, and scarlet stuff, with fine twisted linen, embroidered by a craftsman, and hung on its four posts and bases. All the posts around the Courtyard are to be banded with silver, with hooks of silver and bases of bronze. The Courtyard is to be 150 feet long and seventy-five feet wide. The hangings of fine twisted linen set on their bronze bases are to be seven and a half feet high. All the tools used for setting up The Holy Dwelling, including all the pegs in it and the Courtyard, are to be made of bronze.

20-21 “Now, order the Israelites to bring you pure, clear olive oil for light so that the lamps can be kept burning. In the Tent of Meeting, the area outside the curtain that veils The Testimony, Aaron and his sons will keep this light burning from evening until morning before God. This is to be a permanent practice down through the generations for Israelites.”