Urban Word Bible
Exodus 26
Read Exodus 26 in clear, relatable modern language.
The Tabernacle’s Curtains
1 ‘Make the Tabernacle with ten curtains of fine linen, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and decorated with cherubim.’
2 ‘Each curtain should be 42 feet long and 6 feet wide. All ten curtains must be the same size.’
3 ‘Sew five curtains together to make one large section, and do the same with the other five.’
4 ‘Make loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each section.’
5 ‘Fifty loops on one set, fifty on the other, lining up perfectly.’
6 ‘Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to join the curtains together, so the whole thing becomes one unit.’
The Goat Hair Covering
7 ‘Next, make eleven curtains of goat hair for a tent to go over the Tabernacle.’
8 ‘Each curtain should be 45 feet long and 6 feet wide, all the same size.’
9 ‘Join five curtains together into one section and the other six into another. Fold the extra curtain at the front of the tent.’
10 ‘Make fifty loops along the edges of the last curtain in each section.’
11 ‘Then make fifty bronze clasps to connect them, so it is all one unit.’
12 ‘The extra length from the tent covering will hang over the back of the Tabernacle.’
13 ‘The extra curtain on the sides should hang down a little on both sides to cover it completely.’
14 ‘Make an additional covering of ram skins dyed red, and another layer of fine leather to go over everything.’
The Framework for the Tabernacle
15 ‘Make upright wooden frames for the Tabernacle from acacia wood.’
16 ‘Each frame should be 15 feet high and 2 feet 3 inches wide.’
17 ‘Each frame must have two pegs for fitting into the next one. Do this for all the frames.’
18 ‘Make twenty frames for the south side of the Tabernacle.’
19 ‘Make forty silver bases under the frames, two bases for each frame to hold its pegs.’
20 ‘Do the same for the north side, twenty frames with forty silver bases.’
21 ‘Each frame gets two bases.’
22 ‘For the back (west side), make six frames.’
23 ‘Then make two extra frames for the back corners.’
24 ‘These corner frames should be joined at the bottom and the top with a ring, forming one piece.’
25 ‘So there will be eight frames in total at the back, with sixteen silver bases, two for each frame.’
The Crossbars
26 ‘Make crossbars of acacia wood to connect the frames, five for each side of the Tabernacle.’
27 ‘Five crossbars for the back wall too.’
28 ‘The middle crossbar should run along the entire length of the frames, halfway up.’
29 ‘Cover the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Cover the crossbars with gold too.’
30 ‘Set up the Tabernacle exactly like the plan I showed you on the mountain.’
The Inner Curtain (the Veil)
31 ‘Make a thick curtain from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, finely woven linen, and embroidered with cherubim.’
32 ‘Hang it on four gold-covered wooden posts set in four silver bases.’
33 ‘Hang the curtain with gold hooks and put the Ark of the Covenant behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.’
34 ‘Put the Ark’s lid (the Mercy Seat) inside the Most Holy Place.’
35 ‘Place the table outside the curtain on the north side, and put the lampstand on the south side.’
The Entrance Curtain
36 ‘For the entrance to the Tabernacle, make another curtain from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, finely woven linen, and embroidered.’
37 ‘Hang it on five wooden posts covered in gold, with gold hooks. Set these posts in five bronze bases.’