1. THE FINE LINEN COVERING.
(1) The tabernacle.—Literally, the dwelling (see Exodus 25:9, where mishkân first occurs). It is a derivative from shakan, translated by “dwell” in the preceding verse.
Ten curtains.—The same word (yĕri’ah) is used for the constituent parts of the covering, and for the entire covering, or, at any rate, for each of the two halves into which it was divided (Exodus 26:4-5). In the first use, it corresponds to what we should call “a breadth.”
Fine twined linen—i.e., linen thread formed by twisting several distinct strands together. Egyptian thread was ordinarily of this character.
Blue, and purple, and scarlet.—See the Notes on Exodus 25:4.
Cherubims of cunning work.—Rather, cherubim, the work of a cunning weaver. Ma’asêh khoshêb and ma’asêh rokêm (Exodus 26:36) seem to be contrasted one with the other, the former signifying work where the patterning was inwoven, the latter where it was embroidered with the needle. The inweaving of patterns or figures was well understood in Egypt (Herod, iii. 47; Plin. H. N., viii. 48).

(2) The length . . . eight and twenty cubits.—Mr. Fergusson has shown that to cover over a space twenty cubits wide with a roof, the two sides of which should meet at a right angle, a tent-cloth almost exactly twenty-eight cubits long would be required.

(3) The five curtains.—It is anomalous that the article should be used here. Probably it has crept in from “the curtains” of the preceding verse. The meaning is that five “breadths” should be sewn together to form one curtain, and five other “breadths” to form another, and then that the two curtains so formed should be joined into one by means of “loops” and “taches.” The object of making two curtains instead of one was clearly portability. The entire covering would have been too heavy and too bulky to be conveniently carried in one piece.

(4) From the selvedge in the coupling.—Rather, at the coupling. The selvedge, i.e., nearest to the place where the two curtains were to be coupled together.

(5) That the loops may take hold one of another.—Rather, correspond one to another. They were not to “take hold,” but to be attached by golden links.
Taches, or clasps. These might be split-rings, or links like modern sleeve-links.
And it shall be one tabernacle.—Rather, and (so) the tabernacle shall be one. The division of the curtain which formed the roof into two portions tended to make a division in the tabernacle itself. To prevent this, the two curtains were to be so looped together as to be practically one. Thus the tabernacle itself became one.

(7) To be a covering.—Literally, to be a tent. (See the first Note on the chapter.)
Eleven curtains—i.e., eleven breadths. (See Note 2 on Exodus 26:1.)

(8) Thirty cubits.—The additional cubit on either side (comp. Exodus 26:2) would hang down and form a “valance” along the sides of the tent. (See Exodus 26:13.)

(9) Thou . . . shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.—The additional “breadth” was to be doubled back upon itself, so giving a sort of finish to the roof in the front of the structure.

(12) The remnant that remaineth.—Even after the doubling back, the goats’-hair covering would be half a breadth wider than the linen one. This half-breadth was to be allowed to hang down at the back of the tent.

3. THE TWO OUTER COVERINGS.
(14) As the object of the two outer coverings must have been to keep out rain, we must suppose them to have protected not only the ridge of the roof, but, at any rate, the whole of the mishkân. Their length must, therefore, have been at least thirty cubits, and their breadth fourteen.

(15) Boards . . . of shittim wood.—On the possibility of boards fifteen feet long by two feet three inches wide being cut from the Acacia seyal, see the last Note on Exodus 25:5.

(17) Two tenons.—By “tenons” here are meant projections, probably round, from the end of each plank, made to fit into holes prepared for them in the “sockets.” They were to be “set in order one against another”: i.e., placed regularly at certain intervals, so that each corresponded in position to its fellow.

(18) On the south side southward.—Rather, on the south side to the right. The tabernacle faced the east, and was regarded as looking in that direction. Thus its south wall was on the right.

(19) Forty sockets.—Each “socket” was to receive one of the “tenons.” As there were twenty boards (Exodus 26:18), and two tenons to each board (Exodus 26:17), the sockets had to be forty.

(22) For the sides of the tabernacle westward.—Rather, for the back of the tabernacle (LXX., τῶν ὀπίσω). (See Note on Exodus 26:18.) The west is always regarded as “behind” by the Orientals.
Six boards.—Six boards, presumably of the same width with the others (Exodus 26:16), would extend a length of nine cubits only, or thirteen and a half feet. The tenth cubit seems to have been made up by the corner boards, or posts, which are counted with the “six” boards as forming the back of the tabernacle in Exodus 26:25.

(24) They shall be coupled together beneath.—The corner boards were to be coupled to the others in two places, below and above, in each place by means of one ring. Rings, through which passed the ends of the bars mentioned in Exodus 26:26-29, are supposed to be meant.

(25) Sixteen sockets.—Two for each corner board, and twelve for the six boards between them.

(26) Bars of shittim wood.—The object of the “bars” was to hold the “boards” together, and prevent there being any aperture between one board and another. They were fifteen in number, five for each of the three sides of the boarded space. The “middle bar” on each side was to extend from end to end of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:28), the four bars above and below being shorter, each coupling together probably one-half of the boards of its side. The bars were passed through “rings” attached to the boards (Exodus 26:29), each board having at least one such ring. It is probable that they were placed outside the tabernacle walls.

(27) For the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward.—This is quite unintelligible. Translate, for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, which is at the back westward.

(28) In the midst of the boards.—Rather, midway in the boards—equi-distant, i.e., from the bottom and the top.

(30) According to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee.—See Exodus 25:9; Exodus 25:40. However minute—even tediously minute—the description, there would necessarily have been a multitude of particulars, not to be described in words, where Moses would have to be guided by the pattern that he had seen.

5. THE VAIL, AND THE POSITION WHICH IT WAS TO OCCUPY.
(31) Thou shalt make a vail.—It was of the essence of the mishkân that it should have an outer and an inner sanctuary, a place for the daily ministrations of the priests, and an adytum or penetrale of extreme holiness, in which was to be the Divine Presence, and into which the high priest alone was to be privileged to enter, and he but once in the year. (See Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:2-34; Hebrews 9:7.) The separation between these two chambers was to be made by a vail of the same materials and workmanship as the inner covering of the mishkân (Exodus 26:1).

(32) Four pillars.—These seem to have been true pillars or columns, and not tent-poles. They were probably of equal height, and equally spaced, and were perhaps connected at the top by a cornice or beam. Together with the vail they formed a screen, which shut off the “Holy of Holies” from the outer chamber. They were, doubtless, of the same height as the boards, i.e., fifteen feet (Exodus 26:16).
Their hooks.—Each pillar was to have a hook near the top, whereto the vail was to be attached.
Upon the four sockets.—Heb., upon four sockets.—Each pillar was to have its “socket,” into which it was to be inserted, and which was itself probably to be sunk into the ground.

(33) Thou shall hang up the vail under the taches.—The “taches” meant are the links whereby the two portions of the inner covering were connected together (Exodus 26:6). If “under the taches” means directly under them, we must regard the mishkân as divided into two chambers of equal size. It is possible, however, that “under” may be used with some vagueness, and that the “Holy of Holies” may in the tabernacle, as well as in the Temple, have been only half the size of the outer chamber.
That thou mayest bring in.—Heb., and thou shalt bring in.

(37) Five pillars.—The odd number is surprising, especially compared with the “four pillars” of the interior (Exodus 26:32), until we remember that a tent such as that described must have a pillar, or tent-pole, in the middle of its gable-end, and an equal number of supports on either side. It is, in fact, this fifth pillar which, together with the use of the word ’ohel, gives to the tent theory of Mr. Fergusson, now generally adopted, its solid basis.
Their hooks.—The hooks from which the hanging was to be suspended. (Comp. Exodus 26:32.)
Sockets of brass.—Rather, “of bronze.” (See Note on Exodus 25:3.)