Exodus 26 18

Exodus 26:18 kjv

And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

Exodus 26:18 nkjv

And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side.

Exodus 26:18 niv

Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle

Exodus 26:18 esv

You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side;

Exodus 26:18 nlt

Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle.

Exodus 26 verses

Exodus 26 18 Meaning

Exodus 26:18 details God's precise instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, specifying the exact number of frames required for one of its long sides. This verse, typically interpreted as referring to the south side of the Tabernacle, mandates the crafting of twenty sturdy, upright boards for its structural framework, ensuring the meticulous dimensions and stability of this divine dwelling place.

Exodus 26 18 Context

Exodus chapter 26 is dedicated to the precise architectural instructions for the Tabernacle's inner coverings and structural framework. This particular verse (26:18) forms part of God's direct command to Moses, laying out the design for the sanctuary. It specifies the requirement for the physical sides of the tent. Preceding verses described the materials and dimensions of the Tabernacle's inner curtains (Ex 26:1-14). Following this verse, instructions continue for the other long side (Ex 26:20) and the rear end (Ex 26:22), along with details for connecting bars (Ex 26:26-30), sockets (Ex 26:19, 21, 25), and internal divisions like the veil (Ex 26:31-35) and screen (Ex 26:36-37).

Historically and culturally, the Tabernacle was unprecedented. Unlike the simple shrines or idol-filled temples of surrounding pagan cultures, Israel's sanctuary was divinely prescribed down to the last detail. It was designed to be portable, reflecting Israel's nomadic journey through the wilderness and signifying that God moved with His people. The extreme precision demanded by God for every component of the Tabernacle served as a clear distinction from pagan practices, emphasizing God's meticulous nature, His holiness, and His absolute sovereignty over creation and worship. This specific detail of "twenty boards" underscores that every part was crucial and precisely counted by God, indicating an exact, ordered, and divinely ordained space for His holy presence, a polemic against the often haphazard and spiritually chaotic nature of surrounding idol worship.

Exodus 26 18 Word analysis

• And for the / וּלְצֶלַע (U-l'tzela):

  • U (וּ): "And," a simple conjunction connecting this instruction to the previous ones regarding the Tabernacle's structure. It signifies a continuation of the detailed blueprint.
  • l'tzela (לְצֶלַע): "for the side of." The root tzela (צֶלַע) means "rib" or "side." In this architectural context, it refers to a distinct lateral panel or wall segment. This word emphasizes a specific, clearly defined part of the structure, reflecting a precise division in the Tabernacle's overall design. Its use highlights the modular construction, where each 'side' was composed of multiple 'boards.'

• Tabernacle / הַמִּשְׁכָּן (ha-mishkan):

  • ha (הַ): The definite article "the," emphasizing the specific holy dwelling already discussed.
  • mishkan (מִּשְׁכָּן): "Tabernacle" or "dwelling place." Derived from the root shakan (שָׁכַן), meaning "to dwell, settle." This term is central to the Exodus narrative, referring to the portable sanctuary where God manifested His presence among the Israelites. Its presence here reiterates that these precise specifications are for the sacred abode of God.

• westward / יָמָּה (yammah):

  • yammah (יָמָּה): Literally means "westward" or "towards the sea" (as yam, יָם, is "sea," typically referring to the Mediterranean west of Israel). In the King James Version and some literal translations, this word is rendered "west side westward." However, many modern translations (ESV, NIV, NASB) render this as the "south side" for a significant reason:
    • Contextual Geography: The general layout of the Tabernacle has an eastern entrance, and the back (western end) is described in Ex 26:22. For a rectangular structure, after describing the eastern entrance, one proceeds to the long sides (north and south). Therefore, to describe the "south" side, "yammah" might be used because of ancient Hebrew's relative orientation where the "right" often correlated with south for someone facing east, or due to regional connections of the "sea" (Mediterranean) sometimes extending southwest, implicitly guiding to a southern direction when distinguishing from the explicit north side later specified (Ex 26:20).
    • Significance: This directional specification is critical for the architectural integrity and spiritual symbolism of the Tabernacle. Whether interpreted as south or strictly west, it dictates a precise spatial arrangement, indicating divine order. The very slight ambiguity (between a cardinal west and a directional south when distinguishing longitudinal sides) in ancient Hebrew usage itself adds to the profound attention to detail God required. It ensures every component had its exact, pre-ordained place.

• thou shalt make / תַּעֲשֶׂה (ta'aseh):

  • "You shall make." This is a direct command in the second person singular, indicative of God's instruction to Moses. It signifies a divine imperative, underscoring the necessity of strict obedience to the precise specifications given for the Tabernacle's construction. This is not a suggestion but a mandatory action required for the faithful building of the holy sanctuary.

• twenty boards / קְרָשִׁים עֶשְׂרִים (q'rashim esrim):

  • q'rashim (קְרָשִׁים): "boards" or "frames." These were not simple planks but carefully crafted, thick, upright frames made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold (Ex 26:29), designed to interlock and stand firmly in silver sockets (Ex 26:19). They formed the load-bearing walls of the Tabernacle structure.
  • esrim (עֶשְׂרִים): "twenty." This precise number is critical. The count of each board demonstrates divine mathematical accuracy required for the dimensions (e.g., twenty boards, each 1.5 cubits wide, would form a wall 30 cubits long, which matches the dimensions often attributed to the Tabernacle's sides).
  • Significance: The quantity emphasizes precision and exactitude. It leaves no room for human estimation or variation, reinforcing that the Tabernacle was not built by human wisdom but by divine blueprint. These boards represent stability and support for the portable dwelling of God, mirroring the unchangeable and sure nature of God's promises and presence.

Exodus 26 18 Bonus section

The specific dimension of the "twenty boards" (each 1.5 cubits wide) on the long side creates a length of 30 cubits, which corresponds to the standard length of the Tabernacle itself. This precision demonstrates divine mathematical exactitude in planning, not just general instructions. The choice of acacia wood (shittim) for these boards is significant. Acacia is a dense, durable, and naturally resistant wood common in the Sinai region, capable of withstanding the harsh desert conditions, thereby symbolizing the enduring nature of God's dwelling and His covenant. Its overlay with gold elevates it, representing purity, divinity, and glory. The silver sockets (Ex 26:19), in which the boards stood, were made from the atonement money contributed by the Israelites (Ex 30:16), subtly connecting the very foundation of God's dwelling to the redemptive provision for His people. Thus, each "board" was not just wood but a multi-layered symbol of divine glory resting on atonement, enabling God to dwell in stability among a redeemed people.

Exodus 26 18 Commentary

Exodus 26:18, though seemingly a dry architectural detail, is profoundly significant within the biblical narrative. It is part of an extensive, divinely revealed blueprint for the Tabernacle, underscoring several key theological truths. Firstly, it emphasizes God's character as a God of meticulous order and perfection. Every cubit, every material, and every count, down to "twenty boards," was precisely specified, leaving no room for human creativity or deviation. This divine precision highlighted the absolute holiness of the space where God would dwell, sharply contrasting with human-conceived religious structures that might be crude or imprecise.

Secondly, the emphasis on such minute detail, including the exact number of structural frames, demonstrates God's demand for obedience and faithfulness in worship. Moses and the craftsmen were not simply given a general idea but a precise command to "thou shalt make" according to the heavenly pattern. This reflects a foundational principle in Old Testament worship: it must be carried out God's way, not man's way, ensuring that the created sanctuary was fit for the divine presence.

Thirdly, these boards, solid and upright, overlaid with gold and standing in silver sockets, provided the essential framework and stability for God's mobile dwelling. They signify the enduring, stable, and precious nature of God's covenantal relationship with Israel. Just as the boards provided physical support, God Himself is the ultimate support and structure for His people. The physical construction anticipated a greater spiritual reality: God’s desire to dwell accurately and specifically among His people, a theme later fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14), and then through the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers and the church (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:20-22). The western/southern directional detail points to the structure's complete enclosure and orientation, reflecting the divine plan for complete dwelling.