Exodus 26:7 kjv
And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
Exodus 26:7 nkjv
"You shall also make curtains of goats' hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
Exodus 26:7 niv
"Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle?eleven altogether.
Exodus 26:7 esv
"You shall also make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make.
Exodus 26:7 nlt
"Make eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle.
Exodus 26 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 26:1 | "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen..." | The first, innermost layer of the Tabernacle's covering. |
| Exo 26:8-9 | "The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width four cubits... You shall couple five curtains by themselves..." | Specific dimensions and joining of the goat hair curtains. |
| Exo 35:23 | "Every man with whom was found blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, goats’ hair..." | Israelites’ willingness to donate goat hair for the Tabernacle's construction. |
| Exo 36:14 | "He made curtains of goats’ hair for the tent over the tabernacle..." | Confirmation of the construction being carried out as commanded. |
| Exo 40:19 | "And spread out the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent above it..." | The final placement of this tent layer during the Tabernacle's erection. |
| Num 4:25 | "They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tent of meeting, its covering..." | Responsibility of the Merarites in transporting the Tabernacle's components. |
| Lev 16:7 | "He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord..." | Goats' hair material could subtly remind of sin offerings. |
| Psa 27:5 | "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me..." | God's protective shelter, paralleling the physical protection of the Tabernacle. |
| Isa 4:5-6 | "Then the Lord will create over every dwelling place...a cloud and smoke...a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat..." | Divine protection and covering, echoing the Tabernacle's function. |
| Isa 54:2 | "Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings..." | Spiritual growth metaphor, drawing from tent imagery. |
| Jer 10:20 | "My tent is plundered, and all my cords are broken..." | Using tent imagery to describe devastation, showing familiarity with the concept. |
| Lam 2:4 | "He has bent His bow like an enemy; He has set His right hand like an adversary..." | God’s judgment shown as dismantling Judah's "tent" (temple/nation). |
| Heb 8:2 | "a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected..." | Points to Christ's ministry in the heavenly, true Tabernacle. |
| Heb 9:1-2 | "Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared..." | Describes the earthly Tabernacle as a copy of the heavenly reality. |
| Heb 10:20 | "...by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh." | Christ's body as the "curtain" providing access to God. |
| 2 Cor 5:1 | "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God..." | The human body as a temporary tent, a spiritual parallel to the Tabernacle. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people..." | The Church as God's spiritual dwelling, priests in His sanctuary. |
| Eph 2:20-22 | "...being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets...in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple..." | The Church as a spiritual temple where God dwells by His Spirit. |
| Col 3:12 | "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility..." | Putting on virtues, analogous to different "coverings" for believers. |
| Exo 25:9 | "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings..." | Emphasizes that all Tabernacle construction followed divine blueprint. |
| Lev 4:28-29 | "if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats..." | Association of goats with sin offerings, offering a deeper layer of meaning. |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 7 Meaning
Exodus 26:7 describes the instruction for crafting the second layer of covering for the Tabernacle: curtains made of goats' hair. These curtains were specifically designated to function as a protective outer tent positioned over the inner dwelling, consisting of eleven precisely sized pieces. This layer provided durable and utilitarian shelter, shielding the more elaborate and sacred inner sanctuary from the elements.
Exodus 26 7 Context
Exodus 26 focuses on the divine instructions for constructing the mishkan (Tabernacle) itself, specifically its structural components and coverings. Prior chapters detailed the furniture (ark, table, lampstand, altar). This verse, Exodus 26:7, initiates the description of the coverings that enclosed the Tabernacle. It immediately follows the instructions for the innermost, most beautiful layer of curtains made of fine linen (vv. 1-6). The detailed description of materials, dimensions, and number for each layer underscores the divine precision and holiness required for God's dwelling place among His people.
Historically, the Israelites were nomadic, living in tents in the wilderness. The Tabernacle, a portable tent-sanctuary, perfectly suited their transient lifestyle, symbolizing God's accompanying presence throughout their journey. The design of layered coverings, moving from rich, embroidered fabrics inside to more utilitarian and protective materials outside, was characteristic of ancient Near Eastern tent structures but imbued with profound spiritual significance in the Tabernacle's context.
Exodus 26 7 Word analysis
You shall also make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - ve'asita): This imperative verb highlights a direct, divine command to Moses. It implies an act of obedience and specific creation according to a heavenly pattern. The "also" indicates a continuation of previous instructions, adding this layer to the inner linen curtains.
curtains (יְרִיעֹת - yeri'ot): These are large pieces of fabric intended for covering or enclosing. Unlike the miṣhar (fine linen) of the inner layer (Exo 26:1), the material for these yeri'ot is distinct (goat hair), signifying a different function and aesthetic.
of goats' hair (`עִזִּים - ‘izzim): Goat hair was a very common, durable, and practical material in the ancient Near East, especially for tents. It's rougher, darker, and more water-resistant than fine linen. The choice of material here underscores the functional and protective nature of this layer, standing in stark contrast to the luxurious inner materials (gold, fine linen, colorful threads). The ‘izzim (goats) are also significant in Israelite worship as sin offerings (Lev 4), potentially imbuing this utilitarian layer with an understated theological nuance, hinting at covering or atonement, though its primary function here is structural and protective.
to be a tent (`אֹהֶל - 'ohel): This word signifies a dwelling, a shelter, or a nomadic structure. While the mishkan (tabernacle) itself means "dwelling place," this specific 'ohel identifies the goat hair layer as the primary "tent" part of the Tabernacle's covering system, indicating its role in providing the essential structure for external protection from elements. It encapsulates and protects "the Tabernacle" proper.
over the tabernacle (`עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן - ‘al hammišḵān): "Over" specifies its position directly above the inner linen dwelling, forming a complete enclosure. The mishkan (Tabernacle) here refers specifically to the dwelling structure covered by the ten linen curtains and its frames. This layer acts as an encompassing protective envelope for the inner sacred space.
eleven curtains (`עַשְׁתֵּי עֶשְׂרֵה יְרִיעֹת - ‘ashtey ‘esreh yeri'ot): The specific number is crucial. Unlike the ten inner linen curtains, eleven goat hair curtains allowed for one more segment. As detailed in the following verses (Exo 26:8-9), this extra length (relative to the innermost ten curtains) was used to fold over the front of the Tabernacle and possibly to provide additional overlap or protection, making it slightly longer than the dwelling it covered. This precision reflects divine design and practical consideration for maximum weather protection.
shall you make: Reiteration of the command, emphasizing exact adherence to the divine blueprint.
Words-group Analysis:
"curtains of goats' hair to be a tent": This phrase precisely defines the material and the intended function of this specific covering layer. It distinguishes it from the more aesthetically oriented inner layer by emphasizing durability and practical protection as a shelter, reflecting divine care for physical preservation of the sacred.
"to be a tent over the tabernacle": This indicates the position and primary role of these curtains. They are not merely covers but form the actual tent structure that protects the inner mishkan, signifying the outer shell that secures the holiness within. This arrangement shows a clear design hierarchy from sacred inner to utilitarian outer.
"eleven curtains shall you make": This group of words emphasizes divine intentionality in numerical specifics. The odd number (compared to the ten linen curtains) speaks to an ingenious architectural detail for a nomadic tent, ensuring full enclosure and possibly providing an effective drip line for rain or shade for the entrance.
Exodus 26 7 Bonus section
The Tabernacle coverings demonstrate a progressive revelation, moving from the sacred, highly adorned linen inner layer (visible only to priests) to the more practical and durable outer layers (visible to all). This arrangement highlights the concept of progressive access to God, culminating in Christ, who perfectly embodies both hidden divinity and accessible humanity. The goat hair, being the second layer, played a pivotal role in encasing the holiness, serving as a protective barrier, hinting at how holiness needs both inner glory and robust outer defense in the world. This practical and resilient covering underscored that even in the most sacred endeavors, God values wisdom in material choice and design for function and durability, demonstrating that the holy can also be supremely practical.
Exodus 26 7 Commentary
Exodus 26:7 details the creation of the Tabernacle's goat hair covering, a crucial layer in God's mobile dwelling place among Israel. This was the second layer from the inside, distinct from the beautiful linen dwelling within. While the inner linen curtains (Exo 26:1) conveyed aesthetic glory with cherubim and vibrant colors, the goat hair covering spoke of utility, strength, and endurance. Goats' hair, a common and tough material, provided practical protection against harsh wilderness conditions – sand, wind, and rain.
The stark contrast between the inner beauty and the outer plainness offers profound lessons. It highlights that God’s presence, though gloriously manifest within (the Holy of Holies), was protected by a durable, humble exterior. This can subtly reflect Christ's incarnational glory: His divine splendor veiled by His humble human form (Phil 2:7), yet this very humanity made Him the ultimate dwelling place and protective covering for believers.
The command for "eleven curtains" rather than ten (like the inner layer) signifies precise divine engineering. This extra length allowed the goat hair covering to extend beyond the linen dwelling, particularly over the entrance, creating a practical vestibule or a protective overhang. This foreshadows God's meticulous care in preparing a secure dwelling place and path to Him, ensuring complete provision and protection for those who draw near.
The Tabernacle, as God's ohel (tent), teaches of God's dwelling with His people, emphasizing His immediate, portable presence amidst their wanderings. The robust goat hair covering ensured the continuous integrity of this portable sanctuary, pointing to the unchanging nature of God's covenant faithfulness and His unfailing protection for His own.