Exodus 26 15

Exodus 26:15 kjv

And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

Exodus 26:15 nkjv

"And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright.

Exodus 26:15 niv

"Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:15 esv

"You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood.

Exodus 26:15 nlt

"For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood.

Exodus 26 verses

Exodus 26 15 Meaning

This verse provides specific divine instructions for constructing the structural framework of the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people. It details that boards were to be made for the Tabernacle using acacia wood, and these boards were to stand upright. These precise specifications underscore God's meticulous nature and the profound importance of His presence and the sanctuary dedicated to Him.

Exodus 26 15 Context

Exodus 26:15 is situated within a comprehensive section (Ex 25-31) where God gives Moses precise and detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the garments for the priests. This particular verse focuses on the structural components, specifically the "boards" (kerashim) that would form the walls of the holy tent. Following instructions on the coverings (Ex 26:1-14), these boards are the rigid support structure upon which the intricate curtains would hang, defining the sacred space within. Historically, the Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary, designed to accompany the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, signifying God's constant, mobile presence among His covenant people. Its design and construction, down to the minutest detail, emphasized the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching Him, setting it apart from contemporary pagan temples that often reflected chaotic and often immoral worship practices of various deities.

Exodus 26 15 Word analysis

• וְעָשִׂיתָ (ve-'asita): "And you shall make". This verb highlights divine command. It is God issuing a directive for human hands to fashion something according to His blueprint. This isn't an optional suggestion but an authoritative instruction, underscoring the necessity and sacredness of the task.
• אֶת־הַקְּרָשִׁים (et-haqqerashim): "the boards".
  • `קְרָשִׁים` (kerashim): Refers to the solid planks or framework. These were not mere poles but substantial upright panels designed for strength and stability. They formed the skeleton or walls of the Tabernacle, signifying foundational strength. Their specific dimensions (not in this verse, but later in the chapter) and requirement to be linked (Ex 26:17) indicate precision for a unified, stable structure.
• לַמִּשְׁכָּן (lammishkan): "for the Tabernacle".
  • `מִּשְׁכָּן` (mishkan): Derives from the Hebrew root `שכן` (shakan), meaning "to dwell" or "to tabernacle." It signifies a temporary, movable dwelling place, emphasizing God's imminent, tangible presence among His people in a pilgrimage journey. This concept of God dwelling with His people is central to Israelite theology and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the New Creation.
• עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים ('atzei shittim): "acacia wood" (literally, "trees of shittim").
  • `עֲצֵי` ('atzei): The plural construct form of `עֵץ` ('ets), meaning "tree" or "wood."
  • `שִׁטִּים` (shittim): Refers specifically to the Acacia nilotica or similar species of acacia common in the Sinai wilderness. This wood is known for its extreme hardness, durability, resistance to decay, and imperviousness to boring insects due to its dense grain and resinous properties. Its choice for sacred objects (Ark, altars, boards) implies resilience and longevity, enduring through the wilderness journey and beyond. It also shows God using what was available in their arid environment, elevating ordinary materials to holy purposes.
• עֹמְדִים ('omdim): "standing upright."
  • `עֹמְדִים` ('omdim): From the root `עמד` ('amad), "to stand" or "to take one's stand." This participle emphasizes the posture of the boards: vertical, firm, and stable. It speaks to the integrity and rigidity of the structure, preventing it from collapsing. In a broader sense, this uprightness can spiritually signify righteousness, stability, and enduring faith required in those who are part of God's dwelling.

Exodus 26 15 Bonus section

The boards of the Tabernacle were further stabilized by a system of sockets (Ex 26:19) and bars (Ex 26:26-29), ensuring a tightly knit and secure structure despite being portable. This assembly technique emphasizes unity and divine strength in a way that goes beyond just the material. Each board, though separate, contributed to a unified whole, suggesting a profound spiritual principle of interdependence among those who comprise God's dwelling place. The constant disassembly and reassembly of the Tabernacle during Israel's wanderings highlight God's non-territorial, dynamic presence that moved with His people, a stark contrast to the static localized gods and temples of surrounding pagan cultures. This portable sanctuary constantly reminded Israel that their relationship with God was about a personal, present God rather than a fixed location.

Exodus 26 15 Commentary

Exodus 26:15 gives us insight into the very bones of the Tabernacle – the essential, rigid structure of God's desert dwelling. The divine instruction for "boards of acacia wood, standing upright" reveals several profound truths. Firstly, God's orderliness and perfection are paramount; every detail, even down to the material and orientation of a wall panel, is specified. This meticulousness underscores the holiness required for His presence and foreshadows the flawless perfection embodied by Christ. Secondly, the choice of acacia wood, though indigenous to the arid wilderness, highlights resilience and durability. This suggests that even in harsh environments, God provides the necessary materials for His dwelling and His plan is built to last. These tough, durable boards forming upright walls provided structural integrity, mirroring the steadfastness of God's covenant with His people. They stood firm, supporting the coverings above them. Just as these individual, yet interconnected, boards formed the visible presence of God's sanctuary, so too believers are called to be like "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5), individual components "fitly framed together" (Eph 2:21) by God's design to form a spiritual house for His Spirit. The Tabernacle, though temporary, spoke of a permanent reality – God's desire to dwell with humanity, a promise fully realized in Jesus Christ who "tabernacled" among us (Jn 1:14), and will ultimately be completed in the New Heaven and New Earth where God's dwelling is finally with mankind forever (Rev 21:3).