Exodus 26

THE TABERNACLE, Exodus 26:1-37.

It will now be seen that the entire sanctuary was composed of several distinct parts. The first to be erected was an oblong enclosure of boards set in sockets, and bound together by bars and rings. Exodus 26:15-30; Exodus 36:20-34. This was called mishcan, ( משׁכן ,) or dwelling, and constituted the tabernacle proper. It was divided into two apartments by an ornamented vail hung on golden plated pillars of acacia wood. Exodus 26:31-33. This board structure was covered with a number of curtains: first, the tabernacle cloth, or coupling of curtains described in Exodus 26:1-6, (comp. Exodus 36:8-13;) next, the tent-cloth of goats’ hair, which was spread over the tabernacle cloth as a protection and an additional covering above, (Exodus 26:7-13; Exodus 36:14-18;) over this, again, was spread an additional covering of red rams’ skins, and still another of seal (badger) skins above that . Exodus 26:14. These several coverings were designed to make the roofing impervious to the rain . In the following description we have first the ten curtains which formed the ceiling, (Exodus 26:1-6), next, the goats’ hair curtains, (7-13,) then the rams’ and seal skin coverings, (14,) after which the mishcan, (15-30,) then the vail which divided the holy place from the holy of holies, (31-33,) then the positions of the sacred vessels, (34, 35,) and finally, the hangings and pillars for the doorway, (36, 37.)