Exodus 26:23 kjv
And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
Exodus 26:23 nkjv
And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle.
Exodus 26:23 niv
and make two frames for the corners at the far end.
Exodus 26:23 esv
And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear;
Exodus 26:23 nlt
along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle.
Exodus 26 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:9 | According to all that I show you... so you shall make it. | Divine blueprint & precise obedience |
| Exod 36:28 | And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. | Confirmation of construction |
| Lev 8:9 | And he put the Tabernacle in order, and brought Aaron and his sons. | Tabernacle's divine order established |
| Num 3:25-26 | The charge of the sons of Gershon... the coverings of the tabernacle, and all the service thereof. | Meticulous care for every part |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard... | Precision in divine structures |
| 1 Kgs 6:9 | So he built the house, and finished it. | God's design results in completion |
| Psa 118:22 | The stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner. | Importance of the 'cornerstone' (Messiah) |
| Isa 28:16 | Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation..." | God's chosen foundation |
| Zech 10:4 | From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler. | Cornerstone points to leader/Messiah |
| Hag 2:7 | I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory. | Glory fills the divine dwelling |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send my messenger... the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple..." | Lord coming to His temple/dwelling |
| Matt 21:42 | "Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this came from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?" | Jesus as the rejected Cornerstone |
| Mark 12:10 | "Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;'" | Jesus, the vital corner |
| Eph 2:20 | Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, | Christ as ultimate Cornerstone of Church |
| Eph 2:21 | In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; | Church growing into a holy temple |
| Eph 2:22 | In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. | Believers are God's spiritual dwelling |
| 1 Pet 2:4-5 | Come to him, a living stone, rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious; you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as living stones in God's house |
| 1 Pet 2:6-7 | For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." ... a stone of stumbling... | Christ as the Cornerstone |
| 1 Cor 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. | Believers as God's spiritual building |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as God's temple |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." | Believers as God's spiritual dwelling |
| Heb 3:3-4 | For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Moses indeed was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son... | God is the ultimate architect |
| 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: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. | Tabernacle as shadow of heavenly realities |
| Rev 21:3 | Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them... | Final eternal dwelling of God with man |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 23 Meaning
Exodus 26:23 describes a specific architectural detail for the Tabernacle's frame: the instruction to make two special boards designed to form the critical corner joints at the back, or western end, of the sacred structure. This precision ensured the Tabernacle's stability, integrity, and adherence to the divine blueprint.
Exodus 26 23 Context
Exodus chapter 26 provides the highly detailed, divine specifications for constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle). This follows instructions for the Ark of the Covenant, the Table, and the Lampstand (Exod 25), and precedes those for the altar of burnt offering and courtyard (Exod 27). The immediate context of verse 23 falls within the precise description of the Tabernacle's structural framework, specifically the boards (planks) and connecting bars (Exod 26:15-30) that would form its sturdy walls. This verse pinpoints a unique requirement for the two back corners of the structure, emphasizing the need for reinforced stability where the north and south walls met the western wall. Historically, these instructions were given directly by the LORD to Moses on Mount Sinai, commissioning the Israelites to build a sacred, portable sanctuary as His dwelling place amidst their wilderness journey, providing a tangible sign of His presence and a designated place for worship and atonement. The meticulous detail in the design conveyed the absolute holiness of God and His exacting standards for coming into His presence, starkly contrasting with arbitrary or self-designed places of worship common among pagan cultures of the time.
Exodus 26 23 Word analysis
- And: This conjunction links the current instruction directly to the preceding details concerning the general boards for the Tabernacle's walls (Exod 26:15-22), indicating a continuation of the same theme but introducing a special case.
- two boards: The Hebrew
shə·nê qə·rā·šîm(שְׁנֵי קְרָשִׁים).qerashimrefers to the acacia wood planks overlaid with gold that formed the walls. The specific number "two" here, unlike the single boards for the straight walls, indicates a distinct design or pairing for these particular locations. This implies a reinforced structure or a single composite post made from two joined pieces, enhancing strength where two planes of wall meet. - shalt thou make: This highlights the divine imperative and direct command given to Moses, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of the design. The construction was not optional or subject to human alteration; it was part of God's exact blueprint.
- for the corners: The Hebrew
la-miq·ṣō·‘ōṯ(לַמִּקְצֹעֹת), meaning "for the corners" or "for the angles." This term specifically denotes the junction points. These boards are functionally distinct, designed to secure the structural integrity at the building's weakest or most critical points of transition. Spiritually, corners can symbolize points of gathering, completion, or stability, especially in foundational contexts. - of the tabernacle: Hebrew
ha-mishkān(הַמִּשְׁכָּן). This word means "dwelling place" or "sanctuary." It consistently refers to the physical structure God commanded to be built, where He promised to reside among His people. The corners are crucial to the physical formation of this sacred dwelling. - in the two sides: This specifies the location: the two western corners of the Tabernacle, where the side (north and south) walls connect to the rear (west) wall. This distinguishes them from the front entrance. These particular corners bear significant structural stress as they link three elements: the side walls, the rear wall, and the ground sills.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And two boards shalt thou make": This phrase introduces a specific deviation or addition to the general board design. The imperative "shalt thou make" underscores the necessity of precise construction, not leaving these vital connection points to general carpentry.
- "for the corners of the tabernacle": This identifies the specific purpose and location of these distinct boards. They are critical structural components, essential for creating defined, strong angles, giving the sacred dwelling its proper shape and rigidity. This attention to corners signifies their importance in achieving a stable and cohesive structure.
- "in the two sides": This clarifies which corners are in focus—the two at the rear of the Tabernacle, linking the north and south long walls with the west short wall. This precision in instruction reflects divine order and comprehensive design, ensuring every joint contributes to the overall strength and symbolic perfection of God's dwelling place.
Exodus 26 23 Bonus section
The Hebrew word for "corners," miqtsō'ōt (מִקְצֹעֹת), specifically implies internal angles or places where elements meet. Scholars often interpret the "two boards" as forming a specialized corner post or reinforced joint. This could involve either two boards permanently fixed together to create a singular, stronger L-shaped piece, or a mortise-and-tenon system involving two separate, interlocking boards designed specifically for the unique structural requirements of a corner that would hold three sets of walls. Unlike typical construction where a single piece might suffice, God mandated two for these critical junctures, emphasizing strength and perfect fit. This bespoke design for the corners highlights that specific challenges or stress points in any structure—physical or spiritual—require distinct, divinely-ordered solutions for enduring stability. It reflects that the Tabernacle was built not according to human wisdom or efficiency, but solely by God's comprehensive, perfect plan.
Exodus 26 23 Commentary
Exodus 26:23, while a single verse detailing a minor architectural component of the Tabernacle, underscores the divine attribute of meticulous precision. God's design leaves nothing to chance, ensuring structural integrity through specific provisions for critical joints like the corners. These "two boards" were not merely functional but were likely distinct, specially fashioned, or uniquely joined to provide superior strength at the very points where the structure’s multiple walls converged. This careful attention to every piece, down to the corner boards, reflected the sacredness of the Tabernacle as God’s dwelling. The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, required ultimate stability to withstand movement and various conditions, thus highlighting the practicality within divine instruction. Symbolically, these strong corner joints point to the divine wisdom in creation and the importance of firm foundations, especially Christ as the ultimate "Cornerstone" for both physical and spiritual temples (Isa 28:16, Eph 2:20). Every detail, however small, was significant for the dwelling of the Most High. This divine care in construction foreshadows God’s intentionality in building His spiritual house—the Church—with every member strategically placed and firmly joined in Christ for ultimate strength and purpose.