Exodus 26:10 kjv
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.
Exodus 26:10 nkjv
You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain of the second set.
Exodus 26:10 niv
Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set.
Exodus 26:10 esv
You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.
Exodus 26:10 nlt
Make fifty loops for one edge of each large curtain.
Exodus 26 10 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference Note |
---|---|---|
Exo 26:1 | "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen..." | Initial instruction for the Tabernacle curtains |
Exo 26:2 | "The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have the same measurements." | Uniformity of curtain measurements |
Exo 26:3 | "Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another." | Forming two main sets of curtains |
Exo 26:4 | "And you shall make loops of blue material on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set..." | Previous instruction for loop material, color |
Exo 26:5 | "You shall make fifty loops on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set..." | Prior general instruction for the loops' quantity |
Exo 26:6 | "And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps..." | Loops connected by clasps to unite the curtains |
Exo 36:11-13 | Details of Bezalel making these loops and clasps according to instruction. | Fulfillment of the command during construction |
1 Chr 28:11-19 | David given the pattern for the Temple by the Spirit, reflecting divine blueprints. | God provides precise plans for sacred structures |
Deut 12:32 | "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take from it." | Warning against deviating from God's commands |
Lev 10:1-2 | Nadab and Abihu offering "unauthorized fire" and its consequences. | Importance of obeying divine specifications exactly |
Num 9:15-23 | God's presence as cloud/fire dictating when Tabernacle moves or rests. | God's leading connected to the Tabernacle's function |
1 Cor 1:10 | "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." | Emphasizes Christian unity, like Tabernacle's joining |
Eph 4:15-16 | "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies..." | Christ as head, body unity through every connection |
Col 2:19 | "...and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God." | Christ as the connector for body's growth |
1 Cor 12:12-27 | Analogy of the body with many parts, yet one. | The Church as a unified, diverse body |
John 17:21-23 | Jesus prays for believers' unity. | Divine desire for unity among God's people |
Heb 8:5 | "who serve the copy and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle..." | Tabernacle as a shadow/copy of heavenly reality |
Heb 9:23-24 | "Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." | Tabernacle represents spiritual truth, pointing to Christ |
Exod 25:9 | "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." | Emphasizes God's pattern to be followed |
Psa 133:1 | "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" | Commends unity, paralleling the joined Tabernacle |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 10 Meaning
Exodus 26:10 specifies the precise divine instruction for creating fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in both sets of the Tabernacle's tent curtains. These loops were essential for connecting the two large curtain sections, ensuring the unified structure of God's dwelling place. This detail underscores God's meticulous nature and His demand for exactness in all matters concerning His worship and presence among His people.
Exodus 26 10 Context
Exodus Chapter 26 is part of a detailed set of divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. After specifying the dimensions and materials for the outer curtains (Exo 26:1-6) and the goats' hair coverings (Exo 26:7-13), this verse (26:10) zeroes in on a very specific structural detail for the linen curtains: the precise number and placement of loops required for joining the two large sets of curtains. The immediate context of verses 1-14 outlines the complete design of the tent and its coverings. Historically, this command was given to the Israelites newly freed from Egyptian bondage, a people transitioning from slavery to nationhood, needing a tangible center for their worship and identity under God's law, a clear departure from the multi-god idolatry of Egypt and the surrounding nations. Every detail, including these loops, directly counters the chaos and caprice of pagan cults by establishing an ordered, divinely ordained system of worship.
Exodus 26 10 Word Analysis
- And you shall make: Hebrew
w-asá
(וְעָשִׂיתָ). This signifies a direct, imperative divine command. It's not a suggestion but a requirement for the Tabernacle's construction. - fifty: Hebrew
chamishim
(חֲמִשִּׁים). This precise number underscores God's meticulousness. The number 50 is significant in biblical numerology, often associated with jubilee (Lev 25:10), deliverance, or completion and divine appointment. Here, it denotes specific measurement and order, leaving no room for approximation. - loops: Hebrew
tal'aot
(תַּאֲלֹאוֹת). This unique word specifically refers to the "eyelets" or "loops" used in the Tabernacle's curtains. Its repetition emphasizes the mechanical function for connecting. These loops are the means by which the two large sections of the Tabernacle's linen curtain would be joined. - on the edge: Hebrew
səpaṯ
(שְׂפַת). Literally "lip" or "border." It specifies the precise location on the curtain where these loops must be affixed, ensuring functional integrity. - of the one curtain that is outermost in the first set: This precise description ensures that the loops are placed on the final curtain of the five curtains grouped together as the "first set," ready for coupling. It ensures exact alignment with the other set.
- and fifty loops: Repetition emphasizes precision and symmetrical balance. The exact same number of loops are needed on the corresponding curtain.
- on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set: Specifies the corresponding final curtain of the "second set" (also of five curtains). This symmetrical instruction guarantees that the two large sets can be perfectly aligned and joined.
- fifty loops...fifty loops: This precise numerical correspondence between the two sets ensures the harmonious joining of the structure. It prevents mismatch and maintains the sacred geometry. This echoes the concept of perfect divine order and balance in all things related to His dwelling.
- outermost...outermost: This highlights the point of connection, where two distinct sections are meant to meet and become one. Symbolically, it speaks to points of unity, where separate elements come together.
Exodus 26 10 Bonus Section
The emphasis on precise measurements and identical components (like the "fifty loops" on each curtain set) underscores a divine principle of non-arbitrary design. It illustrates that God is a God of order and not of chaos, which would have been a comforting truth for the Israelites recently delivered from the haphazard nature of pagan deities and systems. This level of detail sets the Tabernacle apart from human constructions, elevating it as a unique structure built according to a divine pattern (Exo 25:9, Heb 8:5). Furthermore, the recurring "fifty" speaks to the divine completeness or a significant cycle, reminding them that their dwelling with God was divinely orchestrated and perfected. The act of precisely crafting these loops also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among the artisans (Exo 36:1-2), teaching obedience and skilled service unto the Lord.
Exodus 26 10 Commentary
Exodus 26:10, though seemingly a mundane instruction, reveals profound theological truths about God and His interaction with humanity. The command for "fifty loops" on specific curtains is not arbitrary; it signifies God's absolute demand for order, precision, and adherence to His divine blueprint. The Tabernacle, a type of God's presence on earth, had to reflect His perfect nature. These loops, along with the golden clasps mentioned elsewhere (Exo 26:6), symbolize the binding unity of distinct parts. This unity, achieved by divine design, foreshadows the spiritual unity of God's people in Christ, where diverse members are "joined and knit together" (Eph 4:16) into one body by Christ, the Head.
The detailed, word-by-word instruction in constructing the Tabernacle stands in stark contrast to human-centric religious practices of the time, which often involved arbitrary rituals or gods of unpredictable temperament. God provides a fixed, holy standard. This exactitude was crucial for a mobile sanctuary, ensuring it could be disassembled and reassembled perfectly, always reflecting the intended design. It teaches believers that divine instruction is to be received with utmost care and obedience, recognizing that every detail, no matter how small, has a purpose in God's grand design for our worship and relationship with Him. The two sets of curtains, made one by the loops, could represent the coming together of Jew and Gentile, or even various individual believers, united by divine enabling into one unified house for God.