Exodus 36:14-19 | The Way of Scripture

Exodus 36:14-19

Why are more coverings placed over the inner curtains?

Berean Standard Bible

14 He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. 15 Each of the eleven curtains was the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. 16 He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. 17 He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set. 18 He also made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together as a unit.
19 Additionally, he made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of fine leather.

What is the context?

The workers next make the goat-hair tent over the linen dwelling. It has eleven curtains, longer than the inner curtains, arranged in sets of five and six. Loops and bronze clasps join them into a unit, following the instructions already given in chapter 26.

Two further coverings go over the tent: ram skins dyed red and an outer covering of fine leather. The account distinguishes these layers from the decorated linen inside. They belong to the practical completion of a dwelling that will travel with Israel.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley understands the outer covering as protection for the dwelling, while Calvin reads the repeated construction details as evidence of careful obedience.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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