The Making of the Tabernacle

8 All the skillful e men e among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains ; of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim , the work of a skillful workman , Bezalel made them. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight e cubits and the width of each curtain four cubits ; all the curtains had the same measurements . 10 He joined five curtains to one another and the other five curtains he joined to one another . 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set ; he did likewise on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set . 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set ; the loops were opposite each other . 13 He made fifty clasps of gold and joined the curtains to one another with the clasps , so the tabernacle was a unit .

14 Then he made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle ; he made eleven e curtains in all. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits and four cubits the width of each curtain ; the eleven e curtains had the same measurements . 16 He joined five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves . 17 Moreover, he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the first set , and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set . 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it would be a unit . 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red , and a covering of porpoise skins above e . 20 Then he made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood , standing upright . 21 Ten cubits was the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board . 22 There were two tenons for each board , fitted to one another ; thus he did for all the boards of the tabernacle . 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle : twenty boards for the south e side ; 24 and he made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards ; two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons . 25 Then for the second side of the tabernacle , on the north side , he made twenty boards , 26 and their forty sockets of silver ; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board . 27 For the rear of the tabernacle , to the west , he made six boards . 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear . 29 They were double beneath , and together they were complete to its top to the first ring ; thus he did with both of them for the two corners . 30 There were eight boards with their sockets of silver , sixteen e sockets , two under every board . 31 Then he made bars of acacia wood , five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle , 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle , and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the rear side to the west . 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the center of the boards from end to end . 34 He overlaid the boards with gold and made their rings of gold as holders for the bars , and overlaid the bars with gold .

35 Moreover, he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen ; he made it with cherubim , the work of a skillful workman . 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold , with their hooks of gold ; and he cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the doorway of the tent , of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen , the work of a weaver ; 38 and he made its five pillars with their hooks , and he overlaid their tops and their bands with gold ; but their five sockets were of bronze .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 36:8-38

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.