8 Then all the skilled artisans on The Dwelling made ten tapestries of fine twisted linen and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric with an angel-cherubim design worked into the material. 9 Each panel of tapestry was forty-six feet long and six feet wide. 10 Five of the panels were joined together, and then the other five. 11 Loops of blue were made along the edge of the outside panel of the first set, and the same on the outside panel of the second set. 12 They made fifty loops on each panel, with the loops opposite each other. 13 Then they made fifty gold clasps and joined the tapestries together so that The Dwelling was one whole.
14 Next they made tapestries of woven goat hair for a tent that would cover The Dwelling. They made eleven panels of these tapestries. 15 The length of each panel was forty-five feet long and six feet wide. 16 They joined five of the panels together, and then the other six, 17 by making fifty loops along the edge of the end panel and fifty loops along the edge of the joining panel,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 36:8-17
Chapter Contents
The making of the tabernacle The liberality of the people restrained.
The readiness and zeal with which these builders set about their work, the exactness with which they performed it, and the faithfulness with which they objected to receive more contributions, are worthy of our imitation. Thus should we serve God, and our superiors also, in all things lawful. Thus should all who are in public trusts abhor filthy lucre, and avoid all occasions and temptations to covetousness. Where have we the representation of God's love towards us, that we by love dwell in him and he in us, save in Emmanuel? John 1:14, wherein, as the original expresses it, he did tabernacle among us.