Exodus 26:20 kjv
And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:
Exodus 26:20 nkjv
And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards
Exodus 26:20 niv
For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames
Exodus 26:20 esv
and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames,
Exodus 26:20 nlt
For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames,
Exodus 26 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 25:8 | Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. | Purpose of Tabernacle: God's dwelling among His people. |
| Exo 25:9 | According to all that I show you... so you shall make it. | Adherence to God's divine pattern. |
| Exo 26:15 | You shall make boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood... | Introduction to the materials for these boards. |
| Exo 26:18 | For the south side of the tabernacle, twenty boards. | Parallel instruction for the opposite (south) side. |
| Exo 26:22 | For the rear of the tabernacle westward, you shall make six boards. | Instructions for other sides, showing different numbers/layout. |
| Exo 35:28 | ...and the shittim wood for all the work of the tabernacle. | Materials supplied for the entire Tabernacle structure. |
| Exo 36:25 | For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, they made twenty boards. | Confirmation of faithful execution of the instructions. |
| Num 9:15 | On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle... | God's presence validating the completed Tabernacle. |
| Num 35:34 | You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell... | Importance of holiness where God dwells. |
| Deut 12:5 | ...but to the place that the LORD your God will choose... to put his name there. | Concept of a designated central place for God's dwelling/worship. |
| 1 Ki 6:1 | In the fourth year of Solomon's reign... he began to build the house of the LORD. | Tabernacle as precursor to Solomon's Temple, God's dwelling place. |
| 1 Chr 28:11 | David gave Solomon his son the plan for the vestibule... as he had by the Spirit. | Divine origin of blueprints for sacred structures. |
| Eze 40:2 | In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain... | Vision of a detailed new Temple structure. |
| Zec 6:12 | Behold, the man whose name is the Branch... he shall build the temple of the LORD. | Prophecy of Messiah as the ultimate builder/dweller of God's house. |
| Jn 1:14 | The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us... | Christ as the true dwelling of God among humanity (lit. pitched His tent). |
| Jn 2:19-21 | Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." | Christ referring to His body as the temple of God. |
| Col 2:9 | For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. | All the fullness of God dwells in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as the temple where God's Spirit dwells. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | ...For we are the temple of the living God. | Corporate body of believers as God's temple. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone... a holy temple in the Lord. | Church as a spiritual house for God's dwelling. |
| Heb 8:5 | ...who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed... "See that you make everything according to the pattern." | The earthly Tabernacle is a copy of a heavenly reality. |
| Heb 9:11 | But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come... | Christ officiating in the greater, more perfect heavenly tabernacle. |
| Rev 15:5 | After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened. | Vision of the heavenly Tabernacle/Temple. |
| Rev 21:3 | Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them... | Final dwelling of God with His people in New Jerusalem. |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 20 Meaning
Exodus 26:20 specifies the number of structural boards required for the northern wall of the Tabernacle's outer dwelling. This verse is part of God's meticulous instructions for the construction of His earthly sanctuary, highlighting divine order and precision in creating a sacred space that perfectly reflects His nature and presence among His people. It details a fundamental element for the northern dimension of the mishkan, ensuring symmetry and adherence to the heavenly pattern.
Exodus 26 20 Context
Exodus 26:20 is situated within a highly detailed section of Exodus (chapters 25-31 and 35-40) outlining the divine specifications for the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Chapter 26 specifically describes the components of the mishkan, the portable sanctuary that would house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as God's dwelling place among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Verses 15-30 focus on the precise construction of the Tabernacle's walls using wooden boards (qerashim), their sockets, and connecting bars. This verse, therefore, builds upon the instruction for the first "side" (the south, Exo 26:18), indicating a systematic and symmetrical design. Historically and culturally, the Tabernacle contrasted sharply with pagan shrines, which were often less precise, more focused on fertility or appeasement through varied human constructs. The God of Israel provided meticulous, unalterable plans, emphasizing His divine order, holiness, and the necessity of approaching Him on His own terms. This specific detailing affirmed His omnipresent yet holy character, differentiating Him from localized or chaotic deities.
Exodus 26 20 Word analysis
And for the second side: (וּלְצֶלַע - uletsëla`) The conjunction "And" connects this instruction to the previous verse (Exo 26:18), which describes the "first side" (the south). "Second" (הַשֵּׁנִית - hashenit) explicitly denotes sequence, reinforcing the Tabernacle's planned symmetrical construction. "Side" (צֶלַע - tsela`) in this context refers to a wall or one of the major long sections of the Tabernacle structure, signifying an ordered perimeter.
of the tabernacle: (לַמִּשְׁכָּן - lamishkan) The word mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן) literally means "dwelling place" or "tent of meeting." It underscores the purpose of the structure: God's designated earthly abode among His people. The phrase emphasizes that these specific boards contribute to this particular holy dwelling, setting them apart from ordinary building materials.
on the north side: (צָפוֹן - tsafon) "North" (צָפוֹן) specifies the precise orientation of this wall within the Tabernacle complex. Coupled with the earlier instruction for the "south side" (Exo 26:18), it ensures symmetrical construction and adherence to a defined orientation in God's blueprint, critical for its proper ritual function and symbolic significance within the camp layout.
there shall be twenty boards: (קְרָשִׁים עֶשְׂרִים - qerashim `esrim)
- boards: (קְרָשִׁים - qerashim) These were sturdy planks, likely made of acacia (shittim) wood (Exo 26:15) and overlaid with gold (Exo 26:29), providing the essential framework and stability for the Tabernacle walls. They signify foundational strength and preciousness, vital for holding the divine dwelling place.
- twenty: (עֶשְׂרִים - `esrim) This specific number denotes exactitude and balance. Since the south side also had twenty boards, this ensures perfect symmetry on the long sides, critical for maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic balance of the mishkan according to God's precise design. The numerical exactness signifies God's absolute control and order in creation and worship.
Exodus 26 20 Bonus section
- Acacia Wood: The boards were made of acacia (shittim) wood, common in the Sinai desert. This wood is notably durable, resistant to insects and decay, symbolizing the enduring and uncorruptible nature of God's presence and covenant.
- Gold Overlay: Each board was overlaid with pure gold, signifying the inherent preciousness, holiness, and glory of God. This detail elevated common wood to a sacred material fit for God's dwelling, a theme repeated throughout the Tabernacle's design.
- The Foundation: These boards rested on silver bases, emphasizing stability and the costliness of redemption (silver from atonement money). While not explicitly in verse 20, the boards were part of a larger, interconnected system designed for strength and portability.
- Symbolic Symmetry: The repeating numbers and identical design for various parts of the Tabernacle reinforce God's perfect order, completeness, and the beauty of His design, indicating that He is not a God of confusion but of peace and perfect alignment.
Exodus 26 20 Commentary
Exodus 26:20 provides a foundational structural detail for the Tabernacle's northern wall, parallel to the south. This seemingly mundane instruction underscores profound theological truths. It highlights God's meticulous nature and His demand for absolute precision in matters pertaining to His presence and worship. Every board, every measurement, contributed to a divinely orchestrated sacred space, signaling that humanity's interaction with the holy God must be on His terms, following His precise revelation. The identical number of boards on both the north and south sides establishes perfect symmetry, symbolizing divine order, completeness, and immutability. This structural consistency ensured the stability and integrity of the "dwelling place" (mishkan) of the infinitely glorious God among His finite and fallen people. Far from being a mere architectural specification, it was part of God's covenantal promise to dwell among Israel, meticulously arranged as a type and shadow of a greater reality in Christ and the New Covenant community, where God's Spirit now dwells in believers as His spiritual temple. The adherence to this divine pattern reveals the importance of divine revelation as the sole basis for true worship and proper engagement with God.