1“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size. 3Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well. 4Make loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and do the same for the end curtain in the second set. 5Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops line up opposite one another. 6Make fifty gold clasps as well, and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle will be a unit. 7You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. 8Each of the eleven curtains is to be the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. 9Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent. 10Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set. 11Make fifty bronze clasps and put them through the loops to join the tent together as a unit. 12As for the overlap that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over shall hang down over the back of the tabernacle. 13And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it. 14Also make a covering for the tent out of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather. 15You are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 17Two tenons must be connected to each other for each frame. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18Construct twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle, 19with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon. 20For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, make twenty frames 21and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame. 22Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side, 23and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle, 24coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. These will serve as the two corners. 25So there are to be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame. 26You are also to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. 28The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other. 29Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold. 30So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. 31Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side. 36For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. 37Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold hooks, and cast five bronze bases for them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The curtains of the tabernacle. (1-6) The curtains of goats' hair. (7-14) The boards, sockets, and bars. (15-30) The vail of the holy of holies, and for the entrance. (31-37) 1-6 God manifested his presence among the Israelites in a tabernacle or tent, because of their condition in the wilderness. God suits the tokens of his favour, and the gifts of his grace, to his people's state and wants. The curtains of the tabernacle were to be very rich. They were to be embroidered with cherubim, signifying that the angels of God pitch their tents round about the church, #Ps 34:7|. 7-14 The curtains of meaner materials, being made both longer and broader, covered the others, and were defended by coverings of skins. The whole represents the person and doctrine of Christ, and the church of true Christians, and all heavenly things, which outwardly are mean, but inwardly, and in the sight of God, are glorious and precious. 15-30 The sockets of silver each weighed about 115 pounds; they were placed in rows on the ground. In every pair of these sockets, a strong board of shittim-wood, covered with plates of gold, was fitted by mortises and tenons. Thus walls were formed for the two sides, and for the west end. The wall was further held together by bars, which passed through rings of gold. Over this the curtains were spread. Though movable, it was strong and firm. The materials were very costly. In all this it was a type of the church of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone, #Eph 2:20,21|. 31-37 A vail, or curtain, separated the holy place from the most holy place. It was hung upon pillars. This vail was for a partition between the holy place and the most holy; which forbade any to look into the holiest of all. The apostle tells what was the meaning of this vail, #Heb 9:8|. That the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest, while the first tabernacle was standing. Life and immortality lay hidden till they were brought to light by the gospel; which was signified by the rending of this vail at the death of Christ, #Mt 27:51|. We have now boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of worship, by the blood of Jesus; yet such as obliges us to holy reverence. Another vail was for the outer door of the tabernacle. This vail was all the defence the tabernacle had. God takes care of his church on earth. A curtain shall be, if God please to make it so, as strong a defence to his house, as gates of brass and bars of iron. With this typical description of Christ and his church before us, what is our judgment of these matters? Do we see any glory in the person of Christ? any excellence in his character? any thing precious in his salvation? or any wisdom in the doctrine of the cross? Will our religion bear examination? and are we more careful to approve our hearts to God than our characters toward men?