Exodus 26:4 kjv
And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Exodus 26:4 nkjv
And you shall make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set.
Exodus 26:4 niv
Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set.
Exodus 26:4 esv
And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.
Exodus 26:4 nlt
Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set.
Exodus 26 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 26:1 | "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen..." | Overall tabernacle curtain instruction. |
| Exod 26:5 | "The fifty loops in the one curtain shall correspond to the fifty loops in the other..." | Specific detail on matching loops. |
| Exod 26:6 | "You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps..." | How the loops are used for connection. |
| Exod 36:10 | "And he made fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain..." | Fulfillment of the command during construction. |
| Exod 36:11 | "...and fifty loops he made on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set." | Confirmation of meticulous obedience. |
| Num 4:6 | "...and cover it with a covering of blue material..." | Significance of blue material in the sanctuary. |
| Num 15:38-39 | "...make for themselves tassels on the corners...put a cord of blue on the tassel..." | Blue as a reminder of God's commandments. |
| Deut 22:12 | "You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your cloak..." | Command to remember, akin to blue threads. |
| 1 Chr 28:19 | "All this he made clear to me in writing, by the hand of the Lord..." | God provides detailed blueprints for sacred structures. |
| 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..." | Earthly sanctuary as a copy of heavenly reality. |
| Col 2:19 | "...and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together by its joints..." | Spiritual analogy of unity and interconnectedness. |
| Eph 4:3 | "...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." | Spiritual emphasis on unity among believers. |
| Eph 4:16 | "from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped..." | Church unity, members fitted together. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ..." | Unity of believers as a body. |
| 1 Cor 12:12 | "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." | Unity in diversity in the Body of Christ. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you..." | Call for unity in the church. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." | Believers forming a spiritual temple/dwelling. |
| Isa 54:2 | "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings..." | Metaphorical stretching and expansion. |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory..." | Christ "tabernacled" among us, God's ultimate dwelling. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them..." | Ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people. |
| 1 Kgs 6:38 | "...So he built it and finished it according to all its specifications." | God's plans are detailed and must be followed. |
| Exod 25:9 | "Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." | Principle of divine pattern and exact obedience. |
| Zech 8:16 | "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace." | The detailed requirements imply truth, order, and integrity. |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 4 Meaning
This verse details a specific command for the construction of the Tabernacle's curtains, stipulating the creation of fifty loops made of blue material on the edge of one set of curtains and a corresponding fifty loops on the outermost edge of the second set. These loops were the essential mechanism for joining the two large curtain sections together, forming a single, continuous covering for the dwelling place of God. The instruction underscores God's meticulous design for unity and structural integrity in His sanctuary.
Exodus 26 4 Context
Exodus chapter 26 is dedicated to the precise, divinely-given architectural plans for the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle, known as the dwelling or 'Mishkan'. It focuses primarily on the detailed specifications for the various curtains that would form its roof and walls: the inner linen curtains (vv. 1-6), the goatskin curtains above them (vv. 7-13), and the two outer coverings (vv. 14). Verse 4, specifically, elaborates on the mechanism for joining the two halves of the innermost linen curtains. Historically, these instructions were given to Moses on Mount Sinai after the covenant was established, serving as God's directive for constructing His temporary, portable dwelling place among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, signifying His continual presence and holiness after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The meticulous detail in this chapter underlines the sacredness of the space and the divine origin of its design, standing in contrast to the spontaneous or idol-based worship of surrounding cultures.
Exodus 26 4 Word analysis
- You shall make: This direct command emphasizes divine instruction, not human ingenuity. It highlights that the design for God's dwelling originates entirely with Him (Exod 25:9).
- loops (לֻלְאֹת, lul'a'ot): Refers to the rings or fasteners. Their purpose is precise connection. The repetition of "fifty loops" and "loops" implies a system designed for strength, precision, and perfect alignment, signifying structural integrity and unity.
- of blue material (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet): This is a highly valued dye, traditionally produced from a specific type of murex snail. Its deep blue or blue-violet hue was costly and distinct. Symbolically, blue often represents the heavens, the divine, priestly authority, and God's glory. Its inclusion suggests the heavenly and sacred nature of the Tabernacle and God's instructions. It connects to reminders of divine commands (Num 15:38-39).
- on the edge (עַל שְׂפַת, al sefat): Denotes the precise placement, not anywhere on the curtain but specifically along its boundary. This shows careful planning for a perfect fit.
- of the one curtain (הַיְרִיעָה הָאֶחָת, hayĕrî‘āh hā’eḥāṯ): Refers to one of the large linen curtain sections, indicating one of the two main parts that needed to be joined.
- from the selvedge in the first set (מִקְּצֵה, miq-tsêh - from the extremity/end): The selvedge is the woven edge of a fabric, designed to prevent unraveling. Placing loops "from the selvedge" ensures durability and precision at the crucial joining point. This refers to one of the five-curtain sections mentioned in verse 3.
- so you shall make on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set: This mirrors the instruction for the other section (the other five curtains from verse 3). The symmetry and exact correspondence in measurements and loop placement ensures that the two distinct halves can seamlessly become one unit (Exod 26:5). This is essential for the function and symbolism of the completed sanctuary.
- Word Group: "fifty loops of blue material": This phrase combines numerical exactitude (fifty) with a specific, symbolic material (blue). The number fifty might relate to jubilees (liberation), but more immediately, it is a significant, divinely specified quantity. The blue color imparts the sense of the heavenly, connecting the physical structure to divine truth and purity. The pairing of exact numbers with specific, precious materials highlights God's demand for perfection and sacredness in His dwelling.
- Word Group: "on the edge of the one curtain ... so you shall make on the edge of the outermost curtain": This structural parallelism in the command underscores the importance of a precise and symmetrical interface. The Tabernacle was not merely a structure but a meticulously crafted system where every part had to align perfectly. This exactness speaks to the orderliness of God and the intended seamless unity of the sanctuary, a reflection of heavenly perfection. It also implies the deliberate nature of God's instructions for unity, both physical in the Tabernacle and spiritual within His people.
Exodus 26 4 Bonus section
The loops and clasps (mentioned in the subsequent verse, 26:6) exemplify a modular design principle for the Tabernacle. This was vital because the Tabernacle was intended to be disassembled, transported, and reassembled multiple times during the wilderness wanderings. The standardized dimensions and connection points (like these loops) made this mobility and re-establishment possible, demonstrating God's dynamic presence with His people regardless of their location. This mobility also subtly challenged fixed, localized pagan shrines by showcasing a God who journeys with His people, rather than being confined to a single man-made temple. Furthermore, the selection of expensive, carefully sourced materials like the blue tekhelet thread speaks to the principle that what is offered to God must be of the highest quality, not just structurally sound but symbolically rich and costly, reflecting the immense value placed on God's dwelling among His people. The consistent repetition of detailed measurements and materials throughout the Tabernacle instructions highlights that this was not merely functional architecture but sacred art designed entirely by divine blueprint, leaving no room for human deviation or interpretation of the foundational elements.
Exodus 26 4 Commentary
Exodus 26:4 provides a small yet crucial detail in the Tabernacle's construction: the loops for joining the two great linen curtain sections. This seemingly minor instruction carries significant weight, emphasizing God's demand for divine precision in sacred matters. The "blue material" points to the heavens, reminding those entering the Tabernacle of its divine origin and the holiness of the God who dwells there. The requirement of "fifty loops" on each side, perfectly matching, illustrates the principle of unity and seamlessness that was essential for God's dwelling place. This precision also symbolized the unified worship of Israel, as all components of the Tabernacle had to function in perfect harmony according to God's detailed pattern. Spiritually, this can prefigure the New Testament emphasis on the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, where individual members are intricately joined and perfectly fitted together by the divine architect.