Exodus Chapter 26
Coverings and Curtains for the Tabernacle
The coverings and curtains of the tabernacle reveal the divine order and symbolism of God’s dwelling place among His people. They were not merely practical structures, but physical representations of spiritual truth, showing the beauty of holiness, the separation between heaven and earth, and the unity of God’s design for worship.
The Fine Linen Curtain (Exodus 26:1–6)
“Moreover 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 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.”
The first layer of the tabernacle’s covering consisted of ten curtains made of fine woven linen embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet threads, displaying artistic depictions of cherubim. This inner layer was the only one visible from inside the tabernacle, symbolizing the glory of heaven itself. The craftsmanship of these curtains reflected the beauty and order of God’s dwelling, for they represented the holiness and perfection of His presence.
The tabernacle’s design was revealed to Moses from the inside out, beginning with the ark and the inner sanctuary, moving outward toward the courtyard. This divine pattern reflects how God works in His people. He begins with the heart, transforming the inner man, and then works outward in sanctification. While man approaches God from the outside in, God begins His work from the inside out.
The linen curtains were joined together in two sets of five, each measuring twenty-eight cubits long (approximately forty-two feet) and four cubits wide (about six feet). These were coupled with loops of blue yarn and golden clasps, ensuring that the ten curtains formed one complete unit. This union represents the spiritual truth of unity in diversity, as described in Romans 12:5: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Though the curtains were many, they became one tabernacle, just as believers are many members joined together in one spiritual house.
The imagery of cherubim woven into the fabric symbolized the presence of heavenly beings who surround God’s throne. Psalm 80:1 says, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!” Similarly, Isaiah 37:16 declares, “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” These verses affirm that the pattern given to Moses mirrored the heavenly reality of God’s throne room.
Trapp noted that though the cherubim in the tabernacle were golden-winged images made by divine appointment, they were kept out of public view, teaching that there is no warrant for man-made images in worship. The unseen cherubim of the tabernacle remind us that worship must be directed toward the invisible God, not toward representations of Him.
The Curtain Made of Goats’ Hair (Exodus 26:7–13)
“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. 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. And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 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.”
The second layer of the tabernacle was made of goats’ hair, forming a coarse, dark fabric used as a tent covering over the fine linen. It consisted of eleven panels, each thirty cubits long (forty-five feet) and four cubits wide (six feet). These panels were coupled together, five in one set and six in the other, joined with loops and bronze clasps.
This layer provided both protection and symbolism. The inner layer represented the glory of heaven, while this outer goats’ hair covering symbolized humanity and sacrifice. Goats were associated with sin offerings (Leviticus 16:5), and their hair covering the tabernacle illustrated that access to God’s glory required atonement for sin.
While the first curtain was joined by gold clasps, representing divinity, this second layer used bronze clasps, representing judgment. Bronze, as a metal that withstands fire, consistently symbolizes judgment throughout Scripture. The difference in metals between the two layers illustrates that before one can behold the gold of divine glory, sin must be judged and covered.
The goats’ hair covering extended farther than the fine linen layer, hanging over the back and sides of the tabernacle to ensure complete concealment of the inner beauty. The text notes that a cubit on each side hung down further, showing that the fine linen—the heavenly pattern—was entirely covered by this coarse and dark material. Heaven’s glory was hidden from view, accessible only through the single entrance, which represents Christ, the only way to the Father (John 10:9).
Thus, the fine linen represented the holiness and beauty of God’s presence, while the goats’ hair covering symbolized the sacrificial covering necessary for sinful man to approach Him. Together they reveal the truth of atonement, that divine beauty is veiled by the provision of sacrifice until one enters by faith into God’s dwelling.
The Two Outer Coverings: Ram Skins Dyed Red and Badger Skins (Exodus 26:14)
“You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.”
The Lord commanded Moses to add two additional coverings over the tabernacle, bringing the total to four. These outer coverings served as both physical protection and spiritual symbolism, completing the representation of redemption and divine protection over God’s dwelling place.
The third covering was made of ram skins dyed red. This material was like fine leather, durable yet flexible, and its crimson color vividly symbolized sacrifice, consecration, and atonement. Rams in Scripture are often associated with substitutionary sacrifice, as seen in Genesis 22:13, where a ram was provided by God in place of Isaac: “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” This substitutionary image connects directly to the red ram skin covering the tabernacle, reminding Israel that the dwelling of God among them rested upon the principle of atoning blood.
The red dye pointed forward to the blood of Christ, whose sacrifice covers the believer and secures access to the presence of God. As Hebrews 9:12 states, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” The tabernacle’s red covering thus foreshadowed the complete and permanent redemption Christ would later accomplish.
Kaiser described the ram skins as “skins that had all the wool removed and then were dyed red,” similar to our modern morocco leather. This suggests not only the beauty of the material but also the purity of what it represented — a cleansing through blood, leaving behind only the enduring evidence of sacrifice.
Above the ram skins was a fourth and final covering made of badger skins. The exact identity of this animal is uncertain; the Hebrew word tachash could refer to a sea cow, porpoise, or badger. Regardless of its exact species, the meaning is clear: this was a thick, durable, and weather-resistant leather that served as the outermost layer. It protected the sacred structure from the elements of the desert — from heat, sand, and rain — much like the righteousness of Christ shields His people.
Unlike the richly embroidered inner curtains, this outer covering was not beautiful to look at. It was practical and plain, providing durability rather than decoration. This contrast between the outer simplicity and the inner glory points to a profound spiritual truth about Christ Himself. Isaiah 53:2 declares, “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” On the outside, the tabernacle appeared ordinary and unattractive, but within, it radiated the splendor of heaven. In the same way, Christ’s external humility concealed His divine glory.
When all four layers — fine linen, goats’ hair, ram skin dyed red, and badger skin — were assembled, the result was a tent both dark and completely sealed from external light. The only illumination came from the golden lampstand inside, symbolizing the light of God’s presence shining amid spiritual darkness. This perfectly illustrated the truth of John 1:5: “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Thus, the coverings together represented protection, redemption, and revelation — the divine order by which God dwells with His people.
The Framing System for the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:15–25)
“And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board. Two tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. They shall be 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. So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver — sixteen sockets — two sockets under each board.”
The frame of the tabernacle was composed of boards of acacia wood standing upright, overlaid with pure gold. Each board measured ten cubits long (fifteen feet or approximately five meters) and a cubit and a half wide (two feet three inches). Acacia wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay, was common in the Sinai region and symbolically represents the incorruptible humanity of Christ. Though truly man, His human nature was untainted by sin, just as acacia wood resisted corruption.
The boards were fitted with two tenons each, which were tabs or pegs used for joining, providing both stability and unity. These boards were arranged twenty along the north and south sides, six along the back wall, and two corner boards — making eight boards for the western end. Each stood upright in sockets of silver, two per board, forming the foundation upon which the entire structure rested.
Silver in Scripture consistently symbolizes redemption and the payment of a price. Exodus 21:32 shows that the value of a life was reckoned in silver: “If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.” Likewise, in Matthew 26:15, Judas betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver — the price of a servant. Therefore, the tabernacle’s foundation being silver teaches that God’s dwelling among His people rests upon redemption. Every aspect of the structure stood upon the symbol of atonement.
Each socket of silver weighed a talent, or roughly 120 kilograms (264 pounds). The great weight of the silver foundation signifies the strength and permanence of redemption. The redeemed believer stands upon the unshakable foundation of Christ’s finished work, as Ephesians 2:20–21 declares: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
Scholars differ on whether the walls of the tabernacle were solid or framed with space between the boards. The more likely view is that they formed solid walls, emphasizing the stability and sanctity of God’s dwelling. The boards were joined together with rings and bars that ran through them, binding the structure into one unified whole.
This imagery also illustrates the unity of believers in the body of Christ. Just as each individual board stood upright, covered in gold and resting on silver, so each believer stands redeemed and sanctified, joined together into one spiritual house. The acacia wood speaks of the believer’s humanity, the gold of divine righteousness, and the silver of redemption. Together they present a picture of the Church as both human and divine in calling — redeemed, sanctified, and indwelt by the presence of God.
The dual sockets beneath each board may also represent the twofold testimony of Scripture — the Old and New Testaments — both testifying to the same truth of redemption. Moreover, the silver foundation separated the structure from the dust of the wilderness, illustrating that Christ’s redemptive work separates His people from the corruption of the world. Those who are built upon the foundation of redemption cannot be defiled by the dust of sin that covers the world.
Bars to Join the Boards (Exodus 26:26–30)
“And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, 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. The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold. And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.”
The tabernacle’s structure was not left to guesswork or human invention. Every element, even the connecting bars, was divinely ordained and revealed to Moses upon the mountain. God instructed him to make bars of acacia wood overlaid with gold — the same materials used throughout the tabernacle. The bars served to unite the boards into one cohesive structure, stabilizing the entire framework and ensuring that the sanctuary stood as a single, solid dwelling place for God’s presence.
Each side of the tabernacle had five bars: four visible running horizontally across the boards, and one — the middle bar — running through the center from end to end, unseen. This invisible middle bar bound the boards together internally, symbolizing a hidden yet essential unity within the body of God’s people. While the outer bars were visible to all, the middle bar, though unseen, provided the most integral support, holding everything together from within.
This illustrates the principle of both visible and invisible unity among believers. Outwardly, Christians demonstrate unity through fellowship, cooperation, and shared faith. Inwardly, however, there exists an unseen spiritual bond — the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit — that truly joins believers together in one body. As Ephesians 4:3–4 says, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”
The bars of acacia wood overlaid with gold beautifully represent the union of the human and divine within the body of Christ. Acacia wood, symbolizing incorruptible humanity, was overlaid with gold, symbolizing divine righteousness. In the same way, Christ, the God-Man, unites heaven and earth, and His Spirit binds His people into one living temple.
The repeated statement, “according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain,” emphasizes that Moses received a divine vision of the tabernacle. He was not given general instructions but specific, God-revealed dimensions and arrangements. This ensured that the earthly tabernacle accurately reflected the heavenly reality. Hebrews 8:5 affirms this truth, stating that the priests “serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’”
God’s method of revealing a vision to a leader, who then communicates it to others, continues throughout Scripture. Moses received the divine blueprint, but the actual work was carried out by craftsmen filled with the Spirit (Exodus 31:1–6). This demonstrates that divine work requires both revelation and obedience — the vision from God and the faithful labor of His people. Just as Moses could not remain silent about what God revealed to him, neither can spiritual leaders today, for silence would mean the work of God remains undone.
The Veil: Divider Between the Holy Place and the Most Holy (Exodus 26:31–33)
“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. You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.”
The veil was the most sacred barrier within the tabernacle, dividing the holy place from the Most Holy. It was made of fine woven linen, richly embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet threads, displaying artistic designs of cherubim. The colors symbolized divine truth (blue), royalty (purple), and sacrifice (scarlet), woven together to reflect the manifold attributes of Christ.
The veil hung on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold, set in silver sockets. The gold represented divine glory, while the silver sockets represented redemption. The veil itself was a vivid symbol of separation between God and man. It declared that access to the presence of the Holy God was restricted because of sin.
Behind the veil was the Most Holy Place — the dwelling of the Shekinah glory — where the Ark of the Covenant rested. Only the high priest could pass beyond this barrier, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, bringing the blood of sacrifice for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2, 34). The veil thus proclaimed both the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man, revealing that redemption was required for access to His presence.
The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that the later veil in the temple was as thick as the width of a man’s hand, making it humanly impossible to see or pass through it. This emphasizes the depth of separation between God and man under the old covenant.
However, this barrier was removed at the crucifixion of Christ. Matthew 27:50–51 records, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” The tearing of the veil from top to bottom signified that God Himself removed the barrier. Through the atoning death of Christ, access to the Father was opened.
Hebrews 9:12 declares, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Likewise, Hebrews 10:19–20 affirms, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.” The torn veil symbolizes the broken body of Christ, through which believers now have direct access to the throne of grace.
As G. Campbell Morgan observed, “When at last the Man in whom all perfections were realized, had made full atonement for sins, the symbol of separation was destroyed.” F. B. Meyer added, “How many there are who never get beyond the dividing veil! They know the brazen altar, the laver, and the golden altar, but they never enter that blessed intimacy of communion which sees the Shekinah glory between the cherubim.” The invitation of the gospel is to enter through the torn veil into unhindered fellowship with God Himself.
The Arrangement of Furniture (Exodus 26:34–35)
“You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. You shall set the table outside the veil, and 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.”
The inner layout of the tabernacle reflected divine order and theological meaning. In the Most Holy Place stood the Ark of the Covenant, covered by the mercy seat, where God’s presence dwelt between the cherubim. This represented the throne of grace, where atonement was made.
Outside the veil, in the Holy Place, were the table of showbread on the north side, the golden lampstand on the south, and the altar of incense (not mentioned here but later described in Exodus 30:1–10) before the veil. Each piece of furniture symbolized a vital aspect of fellowship with God.
The table of showbread represented communion and fellowship, as believers feed upon Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’”). The lampstand represented divine illumination, for Christ is the Light of the World (John 8:12: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”). The altar of incense represented prayer and intercession, as Revelation 8:3–4 compares the prayers of the saints to incense rising before God.
Together, these furnishings display the believer’s threefold responsibility: to walk in prayer, to maintain fellowship, and to live in the light of divine truth. They also reveal Christ’s continual ministry as our intercessor, sustainer, and illuminator
