Exodus 26:19

The Frames and Bases · Exodus 26:15–30
Read Exodus 26

Translations

Modern
…with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.
Traditional
And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
Literal
And forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty boards, two bases under the one board for its two tenons, and two bases under the one board for its two tenons.
Latin
Quibus quadraginta bases argenteas fundes, ut binæ bases singulis tabulis per duos angulos subjiciantur.

Original

Hebrew
English
…with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.

Notes

Each base was under the place where the frames joined. The right peg of one frame and the left peg of the next frame fit into one base. Along with the crossbars, this setup helped stabilize the entire structure (26:27–28).

The tabernacle itself (not including the courtyard around it) was not very large. It was about 4.6 meters (15 feet) wide and 13.7 meters (45 feet) long.

The main structure stood on 48 vertical frames. Each frame was 4.6 meters (15 feet) high and 68.6 centimeters (27 inches) wide (26:16). The frames were made of acacia wood and covered with gold (26:15, 29).

Workers joined the frames together with horizontal crossbars. These bars formed a three-sided rectangle with one open end (26:26–28).

Two large linen curtains covered the structure. Each large curtain was made from five smaller curtains joined together. The two large curtains were then connected into one long covering (26:1–6).

This linen covering stretched across the top of the frame. It hung down along the sides and the back. It covered both the walls and the roof.

Over the linen curtain, workers placed another curtain made of goat hair. It was built in the same way. This curtain was 0.9 meters (3 feet) wider and 1.8 meters (6 feet) longer than the linen curtain (26:7–13). Because it was larger, it hung lower on every side.

Above these two curtains were two protective layers. One layer was made from tanned ram skins. The other was made from fine leather (26:14). These outer coverings protected the tabernacle from weather and damage.

Inside the tabernacle, another curtain divided the space into two parts. This curtain was beautifully embroidered. It hung across the width of the structure on four posts made of acacia wood (26:31–33). This created two rooms. The first room was called the Holy Place. The second room was called the Most Holy Place.

Events

Parallels

Exodus 36:20–34

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Coppersmith Deuteronomy, Book of Embroiderer, Embroidery Glorification History of Israel Lebanon Silversmith Tabernacle

Topics

Shittim: Also Called Shittah, a Tree, the Wood of Which is Fragrant: The Boards in the Tabernacle Made of Silver for Ornamentation of, and in the Manufacture of, the Utensils for the Tabernacle Silver: Made Into: Sockets for the Boards of the Tabernacle Tabernacle: Description of The Frame Tabernacle: The Boards of had Each Two Tenons Fitted Into Sockets of Silver