Exodus 26

of this house, and becoming the Divine Majesty who dwelt there, that the meanest thing therein should be made of pure gold. Vct. 39. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.] A talent was three thousand shekels, as’ will appear afterward: which how much it makes of our money, see xxxviii. 25.

Exodus 26:1

jWLOIIEOVER. From the furniture he proceeds to the house \ and first orders him how to make the inward part of it. TIiou shall make me a tabernacle.] The Hebrew word mischcan properly signifies a place to dwell in; a habitation, (according to what was said xxv. 8.) For this was the place of the Schechinah (which comes from the same root with mischcan), which dwelt here as in its house. But it is commonly translated a tabernacle, only to signify what kind of dwelling it w r as, viz. a portable house, as Philo calls it, <popirrov Upov: which might be taken down, and removed from one place to another, and set up again, without any damage to it. With ten curtains.] These were so many pieces of tapestry (as we now call them), with which this tent was hung on the sides, and covered at the top. Of fine twined linen.] Concerning fine linen, see xxv. 4. and concerning twined linen, see xxviii. 6. Blue, purple, and scarlet.] i. e. Yarn died of these colours. (See xxv. 4.) With chembims.] It is uncertain what figure these were of. (Sec xxv. 18.) Of cunning work shalt thou make them.] There were two sorts of work more artificial than ordinary: the one called choscheb (which is that here mentioned), the other rokem, which we translate needle-work. The former was the most excellent; for it was done by weaving, and had figures on both sides: whereas that by needle-work had only on one side, as Jarchi here notes. Who says there was, suppose the figure of a lion on one side, and of an eagle on the other: or rather, he should have said, the same figure appeared on both sides, as Maimonides seems to take it, in his Kele Hammikdah, cap. 8. " Wheresoever any work is called rokem in Scripture, it is to be understood of figures which are made only on one side of the web: bat’ the work called choscheb had figures on both sides, before and behind." (See xxviii. 39.)

Exodus 26:2

The length of one curtain shall be eiqht-andtwenty cubits, Sec. Every one of these curtains were fourteen yards long, and two yards broad: for a cubit was half a yard of our measure, according to common estimation. It was some inches more, as I have observed on xxv. 10. But to make the reader more easily comprehend it, I shall not exactly compute the length and breadth of these curtains, but follow the vulgar opinion. And with these, it will appear afterward, both the roof of the tabernacle was covered, and the sides of it likewise, almost down to the ground, that is, within a cubit of it, as Josephus £aith, and as may be made out. from the text: the tabernacle (according to the common notion of a cubit) being fifteen yards long, five -yards broad, and as many yards Every one of the curtains shall have one measure.] Be exactly of the same length and breadth..,..

Exodus 26:3

The five curtains shall tie coupled together, one to another: and other five curtains, one to another.* Being thus sewed together, often curtains (each of which, as was said before, was fourteen yards long, and two yards broad) was made two large pieces of tapestry; each of them fourteen yards long, and ten yards broadi With one of these pieces of tapestry the holy place was covered, it being just so many yards broad as that place was long; so that it did not come down before at the east end, which was the entrance of the sanctuary. The other piece of tarjestry covered the holy of holies: which being but five yards long, one half of this piece hung down behind it at the west end and touched the silver bases.

Exodus 26:4

And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain, &c. These two great curtains being made by sewing five lesser together, the loops were not woven with the curtains, but tacked to the selvage of the outermost of them; and were made of blue tape. In the coupling.] In that part of the great curtains where* they were to be coupled together.

Exodus 26:5

Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, &c. Each of those great pieces of tapestry had fifty loops, answering one to another so exactly, that they might take hold one of another.

Exodus 26:6

And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, &c. By these golden clasps the loops were so linked together, that the two great pieces of tapestry made but one covering. Which is the meaning of the following words. And it shall be one tabernacle.] By this union the covering of the tabernacle shall be as if it were one entire piece.

Exodus 26:7

And thou shalt make. Now he gives directions about the outward part of the house. Curtains of goats’ hair.] Though a soft kind of cloth was made of goats’ hair, yet, in comparison with the other, it was a coarser sort of covering, to be laid over the finer bcforementioned, for their preservation and sheltering from the weather. The old Arabians, called Scenitce, made their tents of goats’ hair; for Solinus calls them Cilicina, which he interprets caprarum pilis texta. Concerning the word we translate goats* hair, see xxv. 4. To be a covering upon the tabernacle.] By tabernacle in the foregoing words, (ver. 6.) seems to be meant the covering of the tabernacle, which was of one entire piece. And so it is to be understood here, where a second covering is ordered to be thrown over the first. Microsoft ® [chap. XXVI. Elevm curtains shaft thou make.] There was one more of these camlet curtains (as I may call them) than of the tapestry, which were but ten. Vcr. 8. And the length of one curtain shall be thirty cwbits.] As there was one curtain more of these, so they were one yard longer than the former. And the breadth of one curtain four cubits.] This was the breadth of the former, vcr. 2. (where sec what a cubit was) but there being one curtain more of these than of the other, they were two yards broader than them when they were all joined together. Insomuch, that they both came down lower than the other, on cither side, half-a-yard; and also hung down a yard before the entrance of the tabernacle, which the former did not cover at all.

Exodus 26:9

And thou shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. They were to be coupled together after the same manner as the former, that they might mate two large pieces: but there being eleven curtains in all, there were but five in one piece, and six in the other. And shall double the sixth curtain in the fore-front of the tabernacle.] The meaning seems to be, that he should turn up that part of the curtain which hung down at the entrance of the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:10

And thou shall make fifty loops, &c. This may be sufficiently understood by what was said concerning the loops of the other covering, vcr. 4, 5.

Exodus 26:11

And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, &c. The two great pieces of the inner hangings, being the richer, were coupled together with clasps of gold, (ver. 6.) but these, being coarser/ only with clasps of brass. Which did not lie directly over the golden, but, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, were three-quarters of a yard more westward; these two large pieces not being of an equal bigness. And couple the tent together.] i. e. These outward hangings or coverings (as we translate the word ohel, ver. 7.) of the-tent. That it may be one.] That the two pieces may be knit together, by the loops and clasps, into one. Sec yen 6. where this place is there called mischcan (dwelling), which is here called ohel; to shew more clearly whatjpnd of dwelling it was; an ambulatory house, such as shepherds have, which they remove from place to place, (Gen. iv. 20.) Vcr. 12. And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall Jiang over the back-side of the tabernacle.]Thcsc outward curtains being four cubits, that is, two yards and more broader than the inward, they hung down above a yard lower than the other on the back-side (or west-part) of the tabernacle, as they did on the front or entrance, (I observed before, ver. 8.) which was on the cast.

Exodus 26:13

And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side, of that ivhicli remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, &c. These outward curtains being a yard (as two cubits arc commonly esteemed) longer than the inward, as appears from vcr. 8. they hung down, therefore, on cither side a cubit, that is, half a yard lower than the inward did. And yet they did not come quite to the ground, but the foundation of the tabernacle, which was of silver, might be seen round about, save only at the west end.

Exodus 26:14

And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams 9 skitis died red. This was a third covering to be laid over the other two, to keep ther^ from wet. It is not said of what dimensions it was, which hath made some fancy it covered only the roof. But it is far more reasonable to think that it was as large as the foregoing covering of goats’ hair; which might have been spoiled by rain and dust, if the sides had not been defended as well as the roof. Concerning these rams 9 skins, sec xxv. 5. And a covering above.] That is, a fourth covering above that of rams’ skins, for the greater security of the two inmost hangings; whichhadnced of all this defence, especially on the roof; because it was flat, and consequently the rain was more likely to soak into it. Of badgers* skins.] I observed on xxv. 5. that all the ancient interpreters take thachas for a colour, and not for a badger, or any other animal. For which there is this considerable argument, which I did not there mention; that when God sets forth his extraordinary kindness to Israel, as his beloved spouse, and shews in many magnificent expressions how richly he adorned her, he saith, among other things, that he shod her with thachas, which wc translate badgers’ skins; of which the meanest people never made any use for shoes: and therefore Bochartus rightly concludes it signifies something of greater value, viz. rams’ skins died of a kind of purple colour.

Exodus 26:15

Thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle. Or planks, which were the walls of the house. Of shitlim-ivood.] See xxv. 5. Standing up.] Erect upon one end, and not lying sideways. Vcr. 16. Ten cubits shall be thejength of a board.] By this it appears the house (according to the vulgar opinion of a cubit) was but five yards in height. (Sec vcr. 18.) And a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.’] Three quarters broad; by which* (compared with vcr. IS.) it will appear how long the house was.

Exodus 26:17

Two tenons shall there be on one board, &c. The Hebrews call them hands; because they were so made as to take fast hold of the sockets mentioned, vcr. 11). Set in order one against another.] They were in each corner of every plank, at the bottom of it.

Exodus 26:18

And thou shalt make, &c. twenty boards on the south side southward. By this it appears the tabernacle was thirlifcubits, that is (according to common estimation) fifteen yards long; each of these twenty boards being three quarters of a yard broad. Bkt this seems not to be magnificent enough; and therefore it is more reasonable to follow their computation, who think the Jewish cubit was three iiiches and more longer than our half yard. Which makes the tabernacle near half as big again, both in length and height, than it is commonly described. (See xxv. 10,) Vcr. 19. And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, &c.]’ # There were two silver sockets for each plank, whose tenons sinking into these mortises, the middle of the planks settled upon these bases, as the foundation of the house. For so the Hebrew word adon imports; signifying that which supports another thing which stands upon it. And these seem to have been so large, that two sockets were as long as each plank was broad, that is, three quarters of a yard; and being joined close together, they made one entire foundation, though consisting of several pieces.

Exodus 26:20

And for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, there shall be twenty boards. This verse, and the next, only direct that the north side of the tabernacle should be answerable to the. south.

Exodus 26:22

And for the sides of the tabernacle westward. The Hebrew word we translate sides, should rather be translated ends. For *]T, when it is applied to an inanimate thing, signifies the end, the term, or extremity of it. As Gen. xlix. 13. we translate it, a border, and the LXX. in Isa. xxxvii. 24. translate it, ra t ^ ie extreme parts of Lebanon. And so both the Chaldee paraphrasts in this place explain it, by thetnds of the tabernacle tvestward; for the entrance was on the east, and the end of it on the west. Thou shalt make six boards.] Of the same breadth with the other, which made them four yards and a half, according to the vulgar notion of a cubit. Hitherto there is no direction about the entrance, or east end; which is reserved till the last.

Exodus 26:23

And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle on the two sides. Besides the six planks beforementioned, there was a plank at each corner, winch joined the end of the tabernacle and the two sides together; and made the whole building stronger and more steadfast. How broad they were he doth not tell us; but I suppose only large enough to make the west end five yards broad, that is, each of them half a cubit.

Exodus 26:24

And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it, unto one ring, Sec. To make all more firm, these two corner planks (for of them he seems here to speak) were to be knit to the other planks, both at the top and at the bottom, with a golden link. Some think every plank was thus linked to the next (whence they are here called twins), for the strengthening the whole fabric: but if this be true it is not clearly expressed.

Exodus 26:25

And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, &c. Thus there were eight planks in all at the west end, (ver. 22, 23.) whose tenons struck into the mortises of sixteen silver bases. (See ver. 19.) Ver. 2G. And thou shalt make bars of shittim-wood.] Besides the links of gold which held the boards together, at the top and at the bottom, there were also wooden bars, which run into staples of gold, which were fastened in every plank, as it follows, (ver. 29.) Five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle.] There were five of these bars on each side, (ver. 27.) whereby the planks were held tight together. Of what length they were, is not here said \ but Josephus tells us, they were each five cubits.

Exodus 26:27

And five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the two sides westward. Besides those on the north and south sides (mentioned in the latter end of ver. 26. and the beginning of this), there were five at the west end. For so it should be translated, not the two sides (for there was but one) but the two ends; that is, the two corners at the west part of the tabernacle, which was much strengthened by these bars. Or the plural number (as is usual) is put for the singular; this being the end wherein two sides terminated.

Exodus 26:28

And the middle bar. This seems to intimate that the other four were at the top and at the bottom; and this in the midst of the planks. In the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.] The Hebrew doctors, whom Dr. Lightfoot follows, take this as if it signified that this bar went through the very planks which were bored in the midst. But then the planks must have been of such a thickness, as would have made ^ them less portable than this tabernacle seems to have been; for they would have been timber rather than planks. I take it therefore that this was a long bar, which reached from end to end, and went through staples, which were in the middle of the planks, as the other did above and below. The only question is, whether these bars were in the inside of. the tabernacle, or the outside? It seems most probable they were without, under the coverings; for v they had not been so sightly within.

Exodus 26:29

And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold. If they were overlaid with plates of gold, it made them very heavy; unless we suppose the plates to have been very thin. Others, therefore, take it, that they were only gilded. And make their rings of gold, for places for the bars,kc] The staples were of massy gold into which the bars went; which were also either overlaid with plates of gold, or gilded.

Exodus 26:30

And thon shalt rear up the tabernacle, according to the fashion thereof, which was shewed thee in the mount. “. When all these materials were prepared, then he is here commanded to set it up, according to the model which was shewn him now in the mount. (See xxv. 40.)

Exodus 26:31

And thou shalt make a veil of blue, &c. Concerning these colours, see xxv. 5. and of fine linen, xxv. 4. of twined linen, xxviii. 6. Cunning ivork.] It. Solomon here repeats what he said before on ver. 1. that the work called choscheb was so artificial, that it had not only figures on both sides, but those different one from the other: for example, on one side a lion, on the other an eagle. Josephus saith, all sorts of flowers, and other ornaments, were wrought in this veil, except only the figures of animals., With cherubims shalt thou make them.] See xxv. 18. This veil seems to have been of the same work with the rest of the inward hangings of the tabernacle, mentioned ver. 1. unless we suppose that in them the cherubims only were of cunning work. But I take the whole work of this veil to have been of that sort; the chembims being in the midst of all sorts of flowers and other pictures. The Hebrew word paroketh, which we translate veil, coming from perek, which signifies hardness and rigour, (Exod. i. 13, 14.) it hath made some conclude, that this veil was of a great thickness (the Hebrews say four fingers), which makes it the more wonderful that it was torn in sunder at our Saviour’s passion. Certain it is, that it was so thick that none could look through it into the holy of holies.

Exodus 26:32

And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim-wood, overlaid with gold. This is a sign that it was thick and heavy, there being four pillars to support it, wbich stood at an equal distance one from another. Of shittimivood, see xxv. 5. It is uncertain whether the pillars were plated over with gold, or only gilt. Tlieir hooks shall be of gold.] Some will have the word vavehim to signify the heads of the pillars; for so “the LXX. call them Kvpakilts. But it literally signifies hooks (as we translate it), in the form of the letter vau, which

And look that thou make all after their pattern. Take care to observe that precept which I have already given, (ver. 9.) and now repeat again; that every one of these things be made according to that model which I set before thee. For Ood would have nothing left to the fancy of the people, whom he knew” were too much inclined to the gentile superstition. And if Moses had not been determined by Divine prescription, they would have been apt in all these things to have interpdsed their own inventions. Which was shelved thee in the mount.] By this it still plainly appears, that Moses saw not only the house, but all the furniture belonging to it, set up in the mount before him, just as he afterward set it up below among the people.