Exodus 26 explained: Building God's Tent in the Desert

The inner linen curtains (vv. 1-6)

The innermost layer was fine linen in rich blue, purple and scarlet, woven with cherubim, winged heavenly guardians linked with God's presence. Gold clasps joined the two halves so the whole dwelling formed one single unit.

The outer protective layers (vv. 7-14)

Over the linen went goat hair curtains, then red ram skins, then a tough leather whose exact animal is uncertain, so translations differ. The plain, weatherproof outside protected a beautiful inside, which many readers have seen as a picture of hidden worth.

The wooden frames and bars (vv. 15-30)

Frames of acacia, a hard desert wood, stood in silver bases, were locked together with crossbars and covered in gold, giving the tent sturdy walls that could still be taken apart and carried. It all had to follow the plan God showed Moses on the mountain, and scholars still debate exactly how the frames were built.

The curtain hiding the inner room (vv. 31-35)

A woven curtain split the tent into two rooms: the inner, most holy room held the ark, the sacred chest with the stone tablets of God's covenant, under its gold lid (translations call it the mercy seat or atonement cover), while the table and lampstand stood in the outer room. Christians later read this barrier in light of the temple curtain torn when Jesus died, as a sign that the way to God had been opened.

The entrance screen (vv. 36-37)

An embroidered screen hung at the doorway, which faced east, much like the fine hangings at the tent doors of ancient rulers. Its bases were bronze rather than silver, part of a pattern where materials grow less precious the farther they are from the inner room.

Key verse: Exodus 26:33

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the tabernacle's many details are mainly symbols pointing to Jesus or mainly an ancient sanctuary showing that God chose to dwell among Israel, with any later symbolism kept secondary.

Something to think about

What do you think makes a space feel set apart or sacred, and why have people so often built such places?