The Tabernacle Proper

The Tabernacle Proper

The word tabernacle means a tent.  Most of us think of a tent as a temporary living place, something insubstantial we might use for a few days on a camping trip.  We need to realize that many people used a tent as a permanent home.  The Mongol’s yurt, the American Indian’s teepee, or the Bedouin tent are just a few examples.  Today, permanent buildings using a tent like construction are being used.  While most are for storage and Garages, some have been made into office spaces or homes.  The Tabernacle would more closely resemble one of these permanent structures than the camping tents we think of.


The Coverings
The Inner Curtains
Exodus 26:1-6

“Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.  The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.” (Exodus 26:1-2)

This first covering was what would be seen by those who came into the Tabernacle.  In effect it would be the ceiling treatment on a modern building, something like Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel.  It was to be made of fine white linen with a cherubim design woven into the material using blue, purple, and scarlet.  Ten panels or curtains were to be woven measuring about six feet wide and forty two feet long.  The selection of colors portrays Christ, as we will see a little later.

“The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. Ex 26:4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.  Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.” (Exodus 26:3-6)

The panels were to be sewn together in groups of five creating two large tarps thirty feet wide and forty two feet long.  Loops were to be attached to one long edge of each completed tarp and gold connectors were to be made to fasten them in a way that could easily be separated when they needed to move the tabernacle.   It is very similar to the way in which large modern tent coverings are made.  It allow the quick assembly while keeping the coverings to a manageable size.    It also keeps the woven pieces within practical weaving size.

This inner curtain would be placed directly over the framework, hanging almost to the ground on three sides.

The Protective Curtain
Exodus 26:7-13

“And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.  The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.” (Exodus 26:7-8)

Eleven panels of goats’ hair were to be woven about three feet longer than the linen panels of the first covering.  They would serve as padding to protect the linen covering from wear by wind movement of the outer leather coverings.

“And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.  And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.  And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.” (Exodus 26:9-11)

The goats’ hair curtains were to be assembled in one group of five and one of six, forming one tarp thirty feet by forty five feet and another of thirty six feet by forty five feet.  They were to install loops like they installed on the linen curtains , but the conectors were of brass rather than gold.  The extra panel would ensure that the seams and connections were offset to prevent leaks.

“And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.  And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.” (Exodus 26:12-13)

Because of the longer panels and the extra panel, the goats’ hair covering would hang over the sides and extend a cubit, or eighteen inches beyond the linen covering on all sides, reaching to about two feet above the ground and ensuring complete protection of the linen covering from the elements.  The extra material at the front of the tabernacle would be folded back above the door opening.

Design features such as the padding provided by the  Goats’ hair covering are what enabled the Tabernacle to survive six hundred years of use.

The Exposed Coverings
Exodus 26:14

“And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.” (Exodus 26:14)

A Ram’s skins were to be dyed red and sewn together to make a covering to be placed over the goats’ hair curtain as a secondary water resistant layer.  It was probably in two or more pieces in order to reduce the weight to a manageable level.  The red ramskins represented Christ shedding his blood to cover man’s sin, but would have faded rapidly exposed to the sun.

A final covering of natural badger’s skin, believed to have been a type of antelope, protected everything.  Any joints would again have been offset from those of the rams’ skin covering to prevent leakage.

These two layers of skin would ensure that wind movement was minimal, minimizing wear and ensuring no water or dust would penetrate.