Exodus 26:22 kjv
And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.
Exodus 26:22 nkjv
For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards.
Exodus 26:22 niv
Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle,
Exodus 26:22 esv
And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames.
Exodus 26:22 nlt
Make six frames for the rear ? the west side of the Tabernacle ?
Exodus 26 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I show thee, after the pattern...even so shall ye make it." | Emphasizes the necessity of following God's exact pattern. |
| Ex 25:40 | "See that you make them after their pattern, which was showed thee..." | Reinforces the critical importance of divine blueprint. |
| Ex 39:32 | "Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they." | Illustrates the meticulous completion of Tabernacle work according to divine command. |
| Ex 40:17-18 | "And on the first day of the first month in the second year, the tabernacle was reared up. And Moses reared up the tabernacle...put in the boards..." | Details the practical erection and assembly of the Tabernacle. |
| Num 3:36 | "And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle..." | Assigns responsibility for transporting the Tabernacle boards. |
| Num 4:31 | "This is the charge of their burden, according to all their service...the boards of the tabernacle..." | Highlights the Levites' duty in carrying Tabernacle components. |
| 1 Kgs 6:15 | "And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar..." | Connects to the later construction of Solomon's Temple using boards. |
| 1 Kgs 6:29-30 | "And he carved all the walls of the house round about...And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold..." | Shows a continuity of intricate detail in God's dwelling places. |
| Ps 78:60-61 | "So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; And delivered his strength into captivity..." | Tabernacle as God's dwelling, even when His presence departed due to sin. |
| Ps 132:7-8 | "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength." | Portrays the Tabernacle as a place of God's presence and rest. |
| Isa 66:1-2 | "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne...where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" | Acknowledges God's transcendence while accepting His dwelling among His people. |
| Eze 43:7 | "And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne...where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever..." | God's promised eternal dwelling among His people. |
| Hag 2:7 | "...and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts." | Future glory filling a physical dwelling of God's presence. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...)" | Christ is the ultimate fulfillment, "tabernacling" among humanity. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God..." | Believers are now the dwelling place of God. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "Now therefore ye are no more strangers...built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone...for an habitation of God through the Spirit." | The Church as God's spiritual building and dwelling place. |
| Col 2:9-10 | "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." | In Christ resides the complete essence of God, making Him the perfect sanctuary. |
| Heb 8:2 | "A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." | Reveals the heavenly origin of the earthly Tabernacle. |
| Heb 8:5 | "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle..." | Establishes the earthly Tabernacle as a copy of a heavenly pattern. |
| Heb 9:11 | "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands..." | Christ as the high priest and the superior, non-material Tabernacle. |
| Rev 21:3 | "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them..." | The ultimate fulfillment of God's permanent dwelling with humanity in the new creation. |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 22 Meaning
Exodus 26:22 provides a specific architectural instruction for the Tabernacle's construction, mandating the creation of "six boards" to form its western wall. This detailed directive is an integral part of God's comprehensive blueprint for His sacred dwelling among the Israelites, underscoring the divine demand for precise adherence to His revealed pattern for sacred worship and His tangible presence.
Exodus 26 22 Context
Exodus chapter 26 focuses entirely on God's intricate instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, beginning with the various layers of curtains and coverings, and then detailing the precise wooden framework. This verse (26:22) specifically outlines the construction of the western, or rear, wall of the Tabernacle's holy structure. This sacred tent was to serve as God's portable sanctuary where His presence (Shekinah) would dwell amidst the Israelite encampment as they journeyed through the wilderness. The meticulousness of these instructions emphasizes the holiness of God and the reverence due to His dwelling place. Historically, the Tabernacle was the central point of Israel's communal and spiritual life, guiding their movements and shaping their understanding of God's immanence and transcendence. The construction specifications ensure not only its sacred purpose but also its structural integrity and ability to be disassembled and transported according to divine order.
Exodus 26 22 Word analysis
- וְלַצְּלָעוֹת (Ve-la'tzela'ot): "And for the sides/ribs." The term derives from צלע (tzela), which can mean "side," "rib," or "chamber." This word emphasizes that these components form the foundational, rib-like structure, much like a body's skeletal framework, giving the Tabernacle its form and rigidity. It signifies a robust internal support rather than merely a superficial covering.
- הַמִּשְׁכָּן (ha'mishkan): "of the Tabernacle." Originating from the verb שׁכן (shakan), meaning "to dwell" or "to settle down," this term designates the holy space where God chose to reside among His people. Its detailed construction underscores the sacredness and importance of this divine dwelling place.
- יָמָּה (yamah): "westward." This directional adverb indicates the specific orientation. Since the Tabernacle entrance always faced east, the western side was the back. "Yamah" literally means "toward the sea," as the Mediterranean Sea lies to the west of ancient Israel. This fixed orientation was symbolic, placing the most sacred part (the Holy of Holies) farthest from the entrance, often mirroring temple layouts where the divine presence was sequestered.
- תַּעֲשֶׂה (ta'aseh): "thou shalt make." This is a direct command to Moses, reflecting God's absolute authority and the necessity for exact obedience in executing His divine plan. It signifies a divinely mandated act of creation rather than human improvisation.
- שִׁשָּׁה (shishah): "six." This precise numeral for the number of boards is critical for the architectural balance and structural stability of the Tabernacle's western wall. In the context of divine instruction, specific numbers convey order and completeness according to God's perfect design.
- קְרָשִׁים (k'rashim): "boards." These were robust, gold-overlaid acacia wooden planks designed to form the sturdy walls of the Tabernacle. They were interlocking, fixed by tenons into silver sockets, providing the necessary stability for the entire mobile sanctuary structure. Their material and joinery speak to strength and sacredness.
- וְלַצְּלָעוֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן יָמָּה (And for the sides of the Tabernacle westward): This phrase specifically isolates and directs attention to the rear section of God's sacred dwelling. It underlines that every part, regardless of its "prominence," was under precise divine supervision and was integral to the overall function and symbolism of the Tabernacle. The western direction defined its position relative to the Israelite camp and the wilderness.
- תַּעֲשֶׂה שִׁשָּׁה קְרָשִׁים (thou shalt make six boards): This precise instruction demonstrates God's detailed engagement in the design of His dwelling. The specificity of the number "six" and the type of material ("boards") ensured structural integrity and perfect conformity to the heavenly blueprint. It speaks to a divine architect who leaves no detail to chance, signifying the profound importance of exactness in worshipping and serving Him. Even the "back" or less visible part of the structure had to be made perfectly.
Exodus 26 22 Bonus section
The concept of the Tabernacle, with its incredibly specific instructions like those in Exodus 26:22, deeply counters the surrounding pagan practices of the time. While pagan temples were often built according to human architectural preferences, often featuring numerous idols and regional variations, the Tabernacle's design was entirely dictated by God. This eliminated any human pride in its design or any potential for human innovation to distort God's revealed will. The emphasis on materials, numbers, and exact placement served to sanctify the structure completely for God's purposes, setting it apart as uniquely divine in its origin and function. It reinforced God's character as orderly, precise, and sovereign, contrasting sharply with the chaotic and often immoral practices associated with polytheistic worship.
Exodus 26 22 Commentary
Exodus 26:22 encapsulates God's absolute precision and unwavering demand for obedience in the construction of His Tabernacle. The instruction to create six specific boards for the Tabernacle's western side is not a mere detail but a fundamental component of the divinely orchestrated plan for His dwelling place. This level of meticulousness highlights that every element, from the grandest curtain to the humblest board, was critical to the Tabernacle's sacred function and structural integrity.
The Tabernacle, while a physical structure, was replete with spiritual significance, serving as a tangible symbol of God's holy presence among His chosen people. The orientation of the western side, being the "rear" of the structure from the eastward-facing entrance, demonstrates that no part of God's house was less important. The "six boards" provided the necessary stability for the crucial connections of the Tabernacle's side walls, ensuring its readiness for travel and secure encampment.
Ultimately, the Tabernacle system prefigured Christ, the ultimate Tabernacle (John 1:14), who perfectly embodies God's presence and precisely fulfills God's will. It also foreshadows the Church, God's spiritual dwelling place (Eph 2:21-22), where every believer, like these boards, is vital and specifically placed by divine design to form a unified, holy structure that reflects God's glory.